Crispy Pork Carnitas Tacos with Quick Pickled Onions

Serves 5 · 20 min prep · 130 min cook

Ingredients

• 2.5 lb boneless pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch chunks
• 3/4 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 yellow onion, quartered
• 6 garlic cloves, smashed
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1.5 tsp dried oregano
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 bay leaves
• 15 corn tortillas
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
• 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese
• for serving lime wedges

Instructions

1. 1Place pork chunks in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot. Add orange juice, lime juice, chicken broth, quartered onion, smashed garlic, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, and bay leaves. The liquid should come halfway up the meat.
2. 2Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, turning the pork once, until it shreds easily with two forks.
3. 3While the pork cooks, make quick pickled onions: combine sliced red onion, white vinegar, water, sugar, and salt in a jar. Shake and let sit at room temperature at least 30 minutes (or refrigerate longer).
4. 4Once pork is tender, discard the onion quarters, garlic, and bay leaves. Transfer pork to a cutting board and shred into bite-size pieces, discarding any large fat pieces. Reserve cooking liquid.
5. 5Heat a large cast-iron skillet or nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add shredded pork in a single layer with a splash of reserved liquid. Press down and cook undisturbed 3–4 minutes until the bottom is deeply browned and crispy. Flip and crisp the other side 2 minutes.
6. 6Warm the corn tortillas directly over a gas flame 15–20 seconds per side until lightly charred and pliable, or wrap in a damp towel and microwave 45 seconds. Keep warm in a clean kitchen towel.
7. 7Build tacos by piling crispy carnitas into each tortilla. Top with drained pickled onions, a sprinkle of cotija, and fresh cilantro leaves.
8. 8Serve immediately with lime wedges for squeezing. Offer hot sauce on the side for anyone who wants extra heat.