Double-Pork Carnitas

Name: Double-Pork Carnitas
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 2 h 10 min
Total time: 2 h 25 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 3 pounds boneless pork shoulder (Boston butt), cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces; 1 pound pork belly, cut into 1-inch pieces; 1 cup homemade chicken stock or low-sodium chicken broth; 1 tablespoon (heaping) kosher salt; 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 16 pieces Warm corn tortillas; 1 cup chopped white onion; 2 whole lime wedges; 2 whole sliced avocado; 1 tablespoon dried oregano; 1 cup chopped cilantro; 2 cups shredded cabbage

A rich and flavorful Mexican dish combining tender pork shoulder and crispy pork belly, slowly braised and fried until perfectly crispy. Served with traditional accompaniments for the ultimate taco experience.

8 servings

2 hr 45 min

Published October 4, 2025

Be the first to rate this recipe

Ingredients

•3 pounds boneless pork shoulder (Boston butt), cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
•1 pound pork belly, cut into 1-inch pieces
•1 cup homemade chicken stock or low-sodium chicken broth
•1 tablespoon (heaping) kosher salt
•1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
•16 pieces Warm corn tortillas
•1 cup chopped white onion
•2 whole lime wedges
•2 whole sliced avocado
•1 tablespoon dried oregano
•1 cup chopped cilantro
•2 cups shredded cabbage

Cooking Instructions

1.
Place pork shoulder, pork belly, stock, salt, and pepper in a large heavy pot; cover and bring to a boil over medium-low. Reduce heat and simmer until pork is tender and shreds easily, about 2 hours. Uncover; cook 10 minutes to reduce liquid (but not completely). Remove from heat.
130 min
2.
Transfer half of pork and pan juices to a large skillet, preferably nonstick, and cook over high until liquid evaporates and pork begins to fry in its rendered fat. Fry, stirring occasionally and pressing on pork with spoon to break up, until browned and just beginning to crisp, 10-15 minutes. Most of the pieces should be bite-size with some smaller shredded and super-crisp bits in the mix. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Cover with foil to keep warm and moist. Repeat with remaining pork.
30 min
3.
Serve carnitas with tortillas, onion, limes, avocado, herbs, and cabbage.
5 min
4.
Pork can be braised (do not fry) 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.

Ingredients

•3 pounds boneless pork shoulder (Boston butt), cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces

•1 pound pork belly, cut into 1-inch pieces

•1 cup homemade chicken stock or low-sodium chicken broth

•1 tablespoon (heaping) kosher salt

•1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

•16 pieces Warm corn tortillas

•1 cup chopped white onion

•2 whole lime wedges

•2 whole sliced avocado

•1 tablespoon dried oregano

•1 cup chopped cilantro

•2 cups shredded cabbage

Cooking Instructions

Place pork shoulder, pork belly, stock, salt, and pepper in a large heavy pot; cover and bring to a boil over medium-low. Reduce heat and simmer until pork is tender and shreds easily, about 2 hours. Uncover; cook 10 minutes to reduce liquid (but not completely). Remove from heat.

130 min

Transfer half of pork and pan juices to a large skillet, preferably nonstick, and cook over high until liquid evaporates and pork begins to fry in its rendered fat. Fry, stirring occasionally and pressing on pork with spoon to break up, until browned and just beginning to crisp, 10-15 minutes. Most of the pieces should be bite-size with some smaller shredded and super-crisp bits in the mix. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Cover with foil to keep warm and moist. Repeat with remaining pork.

30 min

Serve carnitas with tortillas, onion, limes, avocado, herbs, and cabbage.

5 min

Pork can be braised (do not fry) 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.