Carnitas Tacos image

Source: National Pork Board

Where to Buy
PREP TIME

30 mins

COOK TIME

360 mins

SERVING SIZE

6

Carnitas Tacos image

What You’ll Need

  • 4 pounds Prairie Fresh® boneless pork shoulder butt
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 large naval orange, halved
 
For serving 
  • Cooked white or brown rice
  • Black beans, warmed
  • Pico de Gallo
  • Diced avocados
  • Lime wedges
  • Jalapeños (optional)

Directions

  1. Trim excess fat from the pork shoulder. 
  2. In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, oregano, and cumin. Rub the seasoning mixture evenly over the entire pork shoulder.
  3. Place the pork shoulder in a slow cooker. Squeeze juice from the orange halves over the pork.
  4. Add the juiced orange halves and bay leaves to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for about 6 hours, or until the pork is fork-tender and easily shreds. 
  5. Use tongs or a slotted spoon to transfer the pork to a large bowl. Shred with two forks, then toss with some of the cooking juices to season to taste. Cover to keep warm and set aside.
  6. Serve with warm tortillas and toppings of your choice.
*Whole muscle pork cuts are safe to eat when cooked to 145°F and allowed to rest for 3 minutes.