Tacos de Carnitas

Name: Tacos de Carnitas
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 180 min
Total time: 195 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Mexico
Ingredients: 4 lbs pork shoulder, cut into large chunks; 1 orange, halved; 1 onion, quartered; 4 cloves garlic; 2 bay leaves; 1 tbsp salt; 1 tsp cumin; 2 cups lard or vegetable oil; 18 corn tortillas; Chopped onion, cilantro, and salsa, for serving

6 servings15 min prep180 min cookEasy Mexico

♡ Sign in to save Print / Save as PDFPro

The Story Behind It

The Tale of Tacos de Carnitas

Story updated September 17, 2026

Carnitas developed in Michoacán, a region with a strong pig-farming tradition, where pork is slow-cooked and confited in its own fat until tender and crisp-edged. Towns like Quiroga are especially associated with the technique, which has since spread into one of Mexico's most popular taco fillings nationwide.

Ingredients

Scale:· 6 servings

4 lbs pork shoulder, cut into large chunks
1 orange, halved
1 onion, quartered
4 cloves garlic
2 bay leaves
1 tbsp salt
1 tsp cumin
2 cups lard or vegetable oil
18 corn tortillas
Chopped onion, cilantro, and salsa, for serving

Instructions

1Place pork in a large pot with orange, onion, garlic, bay leaves, salt, and cumin.
2Add lard or oil until it just covers the meat and bring to a simmer.
3Cook uncovered over low heat 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until the pork is fall-apart tender.
4Increase heat and fry the pork in its own fat until crisped and browned on the edges.
5Shred or chop the carnitas, discarding the orange and bay leaves.
6Warm the tortillas and fill with carnitas.
7Top with chopped onion, cilantro, and salsa.

Want Cook Mode, your own recipe photos, and unlimited calculators?

Get Home Cooking Pro

Comments

Loading comments…