Pork Carnitas

By á-25138

Forget about going out to get tacos! Make your own Pork Carnitas at home with this great recipe. Perfect for Taco Tuesday, or a Cinco de Mayo celebration! Don't forget to grab your favorite margarita or Mexican beer.

Ingredients

• 5 pounds boneless pork shoulder, or country-style ribs
• 32 ounces chicken stock
• 2 (15-ounce) cans mild enchilada sauce
• 2 large yellow sweet onions, peeled and quartered
• 6 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped rough
• 1 packet McCormick Grill Mates Mexican Fiesta marinade mix
• 1 packet McCormick Grill Mates Baja Citrus marinade mix
• 1 packet McCormick Grill Mates Backyard Brew marinade mix
• 1 cup cilantro, chopped rough (optional)
• 3/4 cup canola oil
• 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika

Preparation

Step 1

Cut the pork into 2-inch cubes, removing any heavy fat.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the marinade mixes, oil, vinegar, and paprika, and whisk to combine. Add the pork, toss to coat well, cover with plastic wrap and set aside for 30 minutes.

In a large heavy pot, preferably an enameled cast iron dutch oven, combine the chicken stock, one can of the enchilada sauce, onion, garlic, and cilantro if you want it. Bring the liquid to a simmer over medium-high heat.

Gently add the pork and the marinade to the simmering liquid, cover, and bring back to a light simmer.

Reduce the heat to medium-low and let simmer until the pork is fork-tender, about three hours.

Heat your oven to broil.

Using a Chinese wire strainer or slotted spoon, remove the pork and onions to a large roasting pan. Spread the meat evenly throughout the pan, breaking the pieces of meat in half into smaller one-inch chunks.

Drizzle the pork with the second can of enchilada sauce, and put it in your oven so that the the pork is about six inches from the broiler.

Note: I used a disposable foil pan so for ease of clean-up for the family I was serving.

Paying close attention, cook the pork under the broiler until the outside just starts to brown and crisp, about five minutes.

Serve with warm corn tortillas, fresh pico de gallo, and your favorite refried beans. I served my Funky Refried Beans.

Enjoy!
(Makes about 10 servings)