Authentic Mexican Carnitas

Ingredients

Vegetable oil

2 tablespoons

Salt

2 teaspoons

Black pepper

1 teaspoon

Dried oregano

1 teaspoon

Ground cumin

1 teaspoon

Garlic cloves

4, minced

Lime

1, juiced

Orange

1, juiced

Pork shoulder

2 pounds, cut into 2-inch chunks

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the orange juice, lime juice, minced garlic, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. This will be your flavorful marinade.
2. Add the pork chunks to the marinade, ensuring they are well coated. Marinate for at least 1 hour, although overnight marination will yield the best results.
3. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the marinated pork chunks in batches, browning them on all sides - about 5 minutes per batch. Transfer the browned pork and any remaining marinade to a slow cooker.
4. Cook on low heat for 4-6 hours, or until the pork is tender and easily shreds with a fork. The slow cooking will infuse the pork with the flavors of the marinade, making it juicy and delectable.
5. Once cooked, remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. This will give your carnitas the signature texture.
6. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the shredded pork. Cook until the edges are crispy, about 5 minutes.
7. Serve your carnitas in tacos, burritos, or quesadillas, garnished with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime. Enjoy the taste of traditional Mexican cuisine right at your home!