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Ultimate Pork Carnitas: My Diary of Us

Ultimate Pork Carnitas

Guess what today is guys?  Today makes one year since I did my first post on My Diary of Us!  Pretty crazy how far I've come and also kind of scary if you take a look back at some of those first posts....whoa.  I can't thank you enough for being a part of this journey with me and encouraging me along the way!  I am so excited for the what's to come and absolutely love sharing my life and yummy recipes with you.  I thought it was only appropriate to celebrate today with one of my new favorite recipes that you definitely have to make! 

Let's have a moment to talk about Mexican food and how much I'm obsessed with it.  I could eat it every other day for the rest of my life and I am not sure I would ever get tired of it.  Salty, spicy, and full of flavor, it's everything I love about food.  Obviously it would not be in my best interest to create a habit out of my Mexican food loving addiction, but when I make it at home I feel slightly better about my decision because it can be a little healthier.  That being said,  I have made plenty of pork tacos in my life.  And they have always been delicious.  But I am here to tell you after you make these ultimate pork carnitas you will never be able to eat an ordinary pork taco again.

This is probably the best thing I have made in the kitchen in a long time, and Canean will confirm that statement.  See, I had only bought a small two and a half pound pork shoulder from the farmer's market the week before, which normally is the perfect size for the two of us and one round of leftovers.  However in this case, I wish it had been a six pound pork shoulder because I wanted to eat it over and over again.

The meat is tender, spicy, and has slightly crunchy edges from broiling the meat right before eating it.  It's so AMAZING I can't even deal.  I normally will not make something back to back, but this recipe I cannot wait to make again and next time I will be making extra so I can make pizzas and soups and more tacos out of the delicious pork. 

I know I sound a little dramatic, but I am telling y'all...you NEED to make these carnitas, like tomorrow.  They are out of this world on the flavor charts and super easy too! 

Ultimate Pork Carnitas: My Diary of Us

Ingredients (Recipe adapted from My Kitchen Escapades):

  • 3 Lb. Pork Shoulder or Pork Butt
  • 1 Cup Water
  • Juice from one Orange
  • Juice from Two Limes
  • 2 Bay leaves
  • 1 Jalapeno, chopped and seeds included
  • One Onion, quartered
  • 1 Tsp. Dried Oregano
  • 2 1 Tbsp. Ground Cumin
  • 2 Tsp. Salt
  • 1 1/2 Tsp. Pepper
  • Tortillas
  • Pico de Gallo for topping (tomato, lime juice, jalapeno, cilantro, onion, and salt and pepper)
  • Cilantro

Directions:

  • Preheat your oven to 300 degrees.
  • Heat an oven proof dutch oven or large pot over medium high heat.  Sear all sides of the pork shoulder about 4 minutes until all sides are browned well.
  • Add the rest of the ingredients and scape up the brown bits on the bottom of the dutch oven and spoon a little of the mixture and seasonings over top of the pork shoulder.
  • Bring this all to a boil and then put the lid on and transfer to the oven for about 3 hours until pork falls apart.
  • Take the pork out of the pot onto a large plate and shred the meat into large chunks, discarding any fat.
  • Remove the bay leaves from the liquid in the pot and then with an immersion blender blend the veggies into the sauce.  You could also transfer to a blender or food processor as well and then return to the pot.
  • Heat over medium heat until sauce reduces.
  • Meanwhile transfer the shredded pork to a baking sheet and broil on high for about 5 minutes per side until edges are brown and crispy.  Watch carefully to not burn the pork.
  • Return the broiled pork to it's juices.
  • Serve immediately inside of a tortilla and top with desired toppings.  I like cilantro and pico de gallo the best!

*Alternatively you could brown your pork shoulder and then transfer to a crock pot and cook all day if you wanted to cook this while you were not at home.

Ultimate Pork Carnitas: My Diary of Us
Ultimate Pork Carnitas: My Diary of Us
Ultimate Pork Carnitas: My Diary of Us

I am being so serious with you when I tell you that you might become addicted to these pork tacos.  I may never be able to make another version of pork tacos because they will always be compared to these ultimate pork carnitas...and that wouldn't be fare to all the other tacos in the world now would it?

Newer:Pomegranate and Satsuma Gin MartiniOlder:Leaving On a Jet Plane
PostedOctober 21, 2014
AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier
CategoriesDinner
TagsPork Carnitas, One Pot Meals, Carnitas Recipe, Taco Tuesday, Mexican Recipes, Homemade, Pork Carnitas Tacos, Weeknight Meals, Taco Recipes, Mexican Food, Dinner

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Simple food is the best food right?  Garlic Dill Tomato Salad with Cornbread Croutons is going to be your new favorite side dish all summer long!  So perfect for those Memorial Day BBQ’s too! 🙌🍅 Get the full recipe up on the blog today, link in profile! .
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#howisummer #simplefood #thenewhealthy #easyrecipes #eatrealfood #inseasonnow
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#EarthDay #sunday #myboys #strawberrypicking #mydiaryofus #travel #motherhoodunplugged #momtrepreneur #mytribe
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#indulgewithkroger #indulgela #3 #foodblogger #sandwiches #bacon #lunch
Simple Pork and Spinach Miso Ramen so delicious my hubby has requested it for dinner on a weekly basis and the full recipe is up on the blog today! 🍲🙌 .
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🌿Link to recipe is in profile!🌿
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#ramen #homemaderamen #soup #healthyfood #comfortfood #thenewhealthy #getinmybelly
It’s #nationalmalbecday and you know I have to celebrate a holiday where wine is involved so I partnered with @zevia to being you a Spiced Kalimotxo (traditionally made with a combo of cola and red wine but I added a little twist 😉) perfect to sip on your patio all summer long!  @zevia Cola has zero sugar, no caffeine, and no artificial coloring, which makes it the perfect beverage to add to this cocktail! 🍷🍊Recipe is below ⬇️! {sponsored}
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🍹Spiced Malbec Kalimotxo:🍹
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Ingredients:
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-1 Bottle of Malbec Wine
-Zevia Cola
-1 Star Anise
-1 Orange -1 Lime
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Directions:
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-Heat wine, star anise and two pieces of orange rind into a saucepan and gently heat over medium heat until fragrant.
-Remove from heat and chill thoroughly.  Remove orange rind and star anise from the wine.
-Fill glasses with ice and pour wine halfway filling the glass.
-Fill the glass the rest of the way with Zevia Cola and then squeeze one wedge of fresh orange and lime into the glass.
-Serve immediately.
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#cheers #malbec #zevia #cola #summerdrinks #cocktails #happyhour #wino #winelover #vacaymode
Here’s our dinner, shot with an iPhone (6 not 10), no styling, no fancy plating...just like I used to do back in the day.  I wasn’t going to post it, but honestly it was so dang good I had to!  Simple meals, especially all cooked on the grill, are my absolute favorite. 🙌🌽🌱 Fresh Wild Caught Cod, Asparagus and Corn, seasoned simply with salt and pepper and a little dill, lemon, and butter for the fish...👌
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(And Parks ate exactly the same meal including two servings of asparagus!👦🌱)
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#easymeals #onthegrill #healthyfood #cleaneating #kidfriendlyfood #momapproved #iphoneshot #f52grams #feedfeed #glutenfreeeats #eatrealfood #realfood #eatgood #eatgoodfeelgood #meatlessmonday #resetbutton #easyrecipe #simplefood #goopgo #goopmake #gloobyfood #yummm #eeeeeats #dinner #onmytable #heresmyfood
Re-vamped my work space last week while my mom was in town, took a bit of a break and just enjoyed our time together, and this morning I’m waking up feeling refreshed and ready for a new week!  The sun is shining today and later in the week I’m headed to LA for @indulgeconference ! 👯‍♀️ Happy Monday y’all, let’s do this! 👊😘
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#girlboss #momtrepreneur #officespace #officedecor #worldmarketfinds #werk #mondaymotivation #foodblogger #travel #homedecor #mompreneur #workfromhome #homeoffice
When the waiter mixes your hot chocolate tableside to go with dessert and then your toddler steals it and drinks it all. 🤔☕️🍫 #parenthood .
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#lifewithkids #motherhood #motherhoodunplugged #hotchocolate #ighouston #kidsforreal #momsofboys #childhoodunplugged #candidchildhood #dinner #dessert #magicofchildhood #toddlergram #getinmybelly #nomeats #igmoms #worldoflittles #momstuff
Saturday morning frittata loaded with kale, parm, and tomatoes...simple and delicious! 🍳🌿🍅 Happy weekend friends! .
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#breakfast #weekendvibes #breakfastallday #brunch #healthyfood #easyrecipes #glutenfreefood #imsomartha #thenewhealthy #f52grams #thekitchn #onthetable #inthekitchen #heresmyfood #eatingfortheinsta #iphoneography #goodmorning #feedfeed #livefolk #kidfriendlyfood #simplefood #eatgood #eatrealfood #eggs #frittata #nomeats
Simple food is the best food right?  Garlic Dill Tomato Salad with Cornbread Croutons is going to be your new favorite side dish all summer long!  So perfect for those Memorial Day BBQ’s too! 🙌🍅 Get the full recipe up on the blog today, link in profile! .
.
.
.
#howisummer #simplefood #thenewhealthy #easyrecipes #eatrealfood #inseasonnow I’m about to hop on a flight to see my boys and I can’t wait to get home and kiss both of their faces off! ✈️😘🌎
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#EarthDay #sunday #myboys #strawberrypicking #mydiaryofus #travel #motherhoodunplugged #momtrepreneur #mytribe Chopped style sandwich making contest @indulgeconference with @krogerco just went down! So much fun! 🍳🍞🥓🥑🍅🌿 .
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#indulgewithkroger #indulgela #3 #foodblogger #sandwiches #bacon #lunch Simple Pork and Spinach Miso Ramen so delicious my hubby has requested it for dinner on a weekly basis and the full recipe is up on the blog today! 🍲🙌 .
.
🌿Link to recipe is in profile!🌿
.
.
#ramen #homemaderamen #soup #healthyfood #comfortfood #thenewhealthy #getinmybelly It’s #nationalmalbecday and you know I have to celebrate a holiday where wine is involved so I partnered with @zevia to being you a Spiced Kalimotxo (traditionally made with a combo of cola and red wine but I added a little twist 😉) perfect to sip on your patio all summer long!  @zevia Cola has zero sugar, no caffeine, and no artificial coloring, which makes it the perfect beverage to add to this cocktail! 🍷🍊Recipe is below ⬇️! {sponsored}
.
.
🍹Spiced Malbec Kalimotxo:🍹
.
Ingredients:
.
-1 Bottle of Malbec Wine
-Zevia Cola
-1 Star Anise
-1 Orange -1 Lime
.
Directions:
.
-Heat wine, star anise and two pieces of orange rind into a saucepan and gently heat over medium heat until fragrant.
-Remove from heat and chill thoroughly.  Remove orange rind and star anise from the wine.
-Fill glasses with ice and pour wine halfway filling the glass.
-Fill the glass the rest of the way with Zevia Cola and then squeeze one wedge of fresh orange and lime into the glass.
-Serve immediately.
.
.
#cheers #malbec #zevia #cola #summerdrinks #cocktails #happyhour #wino #winelover #vacaymode Here’s our dinner, shot with an iPhone (6 not 10), no styling, no fancy plating...just like I used to do back in the day.  I wasn’t going to post it, but honestly it was so dang good I had to!  Simple meals, especially all cooked on the grill, are my absolute favorite. 🙌🌽🌱 Fresh Wild Caught Cod, Asparagus and Corn, seasoned simply with salt and pepper and a little dill, lemon, and butter for the fish...👌
.
.
(And Parks ate exactly the same meal including two servings of asparagus!👦🌱)
.
.
#easymeals #onthegrill #healthyfood #cleaneating #kidfriendlyfood #momapproved #iphoneshot #f52grams #feedfeed #glutenfreeeats #eatrealfood #realfood #eatgood #eatgoodfeelgood #meatlessmonday #resetbutton #easyrecipe #simplefood #goopgo #goopmake #gloobyfood #yummm #eeeeeats #dinner #onmytable #heresmyfood Re-vamped my work space last week while my mom was in town, took a bit of a break and just enjoyed our time together, and this morning I’m waking up feeling refreshed and ready for a new week!  The sun is shining today and later in the week I’m headed to LA for @indulgeconference ! 👯‍♀️ Happy Monday y’all, let’s do this! 👊😘
.
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.
#girlboss #momtrepreneur #officespace #officedecor #worldmarketfinds #werk #mondaymotivation #foodblogger #travel #homedecor #mompreneur #workfromhome #homeoffice
Sunday grillin’ like a boss. 🍔🔥
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(Killer Chicken Burgers coming at ya soon!)
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#girlwhogrill #burgers #sundayfunday #dinner #thenewhealthy #getoutside
When the waiter mixes your hot chocolate tableside to go with dessert and then your toddler steals it and drinks it all. 🤔☕️🍫 #parenthood .
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#lifewithkids #motherhood #motherhoodunplugged #hotchocolate #ighouston #kidsforreal #momsofboys #childhoodunplugged #candidchildhood #dinner #dessert #magicofchildhood #toddlergram #getinmybelly #nomeats #igmoms #worldoflittles #momstuff Saturday morning frittata loaded with kale, parm, and tomatoes...simple and delicious! 🍳🌿🍅 Happy weekend friends! .
.
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.
#breakfast #weekendvibes #breakfastallday #brunch #healthyfood #easyrecipes #glutenfreefood #imsomartha #thenewhealthy #f52grams #thekitchn #onthetable #inthekitchen #heresmyfood #eatingfortheinsta #iphoneography #goodmorning #feedfeed #livefolk #kidfriendlyfood #simplefood #eatgood #eatrealfood #eggs #frittata #nomeats
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