Savory Chipotle Braised Pork Carnitas
Experience the rich flavors of Mexico with this Savory Chipotle Braised Pork Carnitas recipe. Perfectly tender and melt-in-your-mouth, the pork is slowly braised to perfection with aromatic spices like cumin, cloves, and irresistible chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Serve these carnitas in tacos, burritos, or on a bed of rice, and watch your guests fall in love with each bite! This recipe is perfect for gatherings, meal prep, or when you want to treat yourself to a comforting, flavorful dish.
N/A
Servings
240
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
pork shoulder or chuck roast
3 lbs (trimmed and cut into large chunks)
vegetable oil
1 tablespoon (for searing)
cumin seed
1/4 teaspoon (crushed slightly)
onion
1 (cut in half then chopped)
garlic cloves
3 (peeled and chopped)
diced tomatoes
1 (14 ounce) can (with liquid)
fresh oregano
2 sprigs (can substitute dried, about 1/2 tsp)
whole cloves
2 (whole)
bay leaf
1-2 (whole, optional)
chipotle peppers
2 (chopped)
adobo sauce
1 tablespoon (from the chipotle can)
water or meat stock
1/4 cup (as needed)
salt and pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Instructions
1
1. Start by generously rubbing salt and pepper all over the pork shoulder (or chuck roast) to enhance the flavor.
2
2. In a Dutch oven or large heavy pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Carefully sear the pork shoulder on all sides until it is beautifully browned, about 4-5 minutes per side. Once browned, remove the pork from the pot and set aside.
3
3. In the same pot, add the crushed cumin seeds and toast them in the residual heat until fragrant, about 1 minute. This will give the dish an extra depth of flavor.
4
4. Add the chopped onions to the pot and sauté them until they are soft and lightly browned on the edges, about 5 minutes. Next, add the minced garlic and chopped chipotle peppers, sautéing for an additional 30 seconds until aromatic.
5
5. Pour in the can of diced tomatoes (with their juice), and add the bay leaves, dried oregano, whole cloves, and your choice of water or meat stock. Make sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot for added flavor.
6
6. Return the seared pork to the pot, ensuring it is submerged in the liquid. Bring the contents to a gentle boil, then reduce to a low simmer. Cover the pot and braise until the pork is incredibly tender, about 3 to 4 hours on the stovetop, or 6 hours in a slow cooker. Alternatively, braise in the oven at 325°F (160°C).
7
7. Once the pork has finished cooking, check that it is fall-apart tender. Carefully remove the pork from the pot and let it rest on a cutting board. Discard the cloves, bay leaves, and any whole oregano springs from the sauce.
8
8. Using an immersion blender, puree the braising liquid until smooth. If the sauce is too thin, simmer it on the stove until slightly thickened.
9
9. Shred the pork using two forks and return it to the sauce. Stir until the shredded meat is well combined and heated through, allowing it to absorb the rich, spicy flavors of the sauce.
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10. Serve the carnitas warm, garnished with fresh cilantro, diced onions, and lime wedges, with your favorite accompaniments such as tortillas, rice, or beans.
Nutrition Information
15g
Fat
10g
Carbs
18g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Chipotle Braised Pork Carnitas?
It is a tender, melt-in-your-mouth Mexican dish where pork is slowly braised with aromatic spices, cumin, cloves, and chipotle peppers.
What cut of meat is best for this recipe?
The recipe recommends using 3 lbs of pork shoulder or chuck roast, trimmed and cut into large chunks.
How many calories are in a serving of these carnitas?
Each serving contains approximately 240 calories.
What is the protein content per serving?
There are 18g of protein per serving.
How much fat is in this dish?
The dish contains 15g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in the carnitas?
There are 10g of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the first step in preparing the meat?
Generously rub salt and pepper all over the pork chunks to enhance the flavor.
How long should I sear the pork?
Sear the pork in vegetable oil for 4-5 minutes per side until beautifully browned.
Why do I need to toast the cumin seeds?
Toasting the crushed cumin seeds for about 1 minute makes them fragrant and adds extra depth of flavor to the dish.
How should the onions be prepared and cooked?
Cut one onion in half and then chop it, then saute until soft and lightly browned on the edges, which takes about 5 minutes.
When do I add the garlic and chipotle peppers?
Add the minced garlic and chopped chipotle peppers after the onions are soft, sauteing for an additional 30 seconds.
What kind of tomatoes are used in this recipe?
One 14-ounce can of diced tomatoes with their liquid is used.
Can I use dried oregano instead of fresh?
Yes, you can substitute 2 sprigs of fresh oregano with approximately 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano.
How many whole cloves are needed?
The recipe calls for 2 whole cloves.
Is a bay leaf necessary for the braising liquid?
The recipe suggests adding 1-2 whole bay leaves for flavor, though they are optional.
How much adobo sauce should I use?
Use 1 tablespoon of adobo sauce from the chipotle pepper can.
What liquid is used for braising the pork?
Use 1/4 cup of water or meat stock as needed to submerge the meat.
How long does it take to cook on the stovetop?
On the stovetop, braise the pork for 3 to 4 hours at a low simmer.
Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can braise the pork in a slow cooker for approximately 6 hours.
What is the oven temperature for braising?
If using an oven, braise at 325 degrees Fahrenheit (160 degrees Celsius).
What do I do after the pork is tender?
Remove the pork to rest and discard the cloves, bay leaves, and any whole oregano sprigs from the pot.
How do I prepare the final sauce?
Use an immersion blender to puree the braising liquid until smooth.
What if the sauce is too thin after pureeing?
Simmer the pureed sauce on the stove until it has slightly thickened.
How should I shred the pork?
Shred the tender pork using two forks once it has rested.
How do I combine the meat and sauce?
Return the shredded meat to the pureed sauce and stir until well combined and heated through.
How should the carnitas be served?
Serve them warm in tacos, burritos, or on a bed of rice with your favorite sides.
What are the recommended garnishes?
Garnish with fresh cilantro, diced onions, and lime wedges.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it is noted as being perfect for gatherings, meal prep, or a comforting meal.
What are the tags associated with this recipe?
Tags include chipotle, carnitas, braised pork, Mexican cuisine, slow-cooked, comfort food, spicy, tacos, dinner, and meal prep.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 13 ingredients including the seasonings.