Mexican Pork Roast &/Or Crockpot Carnitas
- 1 pork shoulder, bone-in roast, 3-10 lbs
- 2 cups orange juice
- 12 cup milk
- 1 12 cups chicken stock (for basting) or 1 12 cups beef stock (for basting)
- 1 teaspoon adobo seasoning (Goya or something similar)
- 5 -6 garlic cloves (chopped, minced, or jarred)
- 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
- 3 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon steak seasoning
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- 2 jalapenos, sliced
- If preparing as a roast:.
- Place roast in a bowl large enough to hold it plus several cups of liquid (marinade).
- Grind/blend together all ingredients (except jalapenos and pork) in a blender, immersion blender, mini chopper, or food processor.
- When mixed and well-blended, pour over pork.
- The marinade should almost cover the pork- if it doesn't, add more OJ and milk until it's almost covered.
- Cover and marinate the pork in the fridge for 12-24 hours.
- Turn every few hours.
- When ready to cook the piggy, preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Place pork in a greased (or PAM'd) roasting pan (I sometimes use a roasting rack inside a pan) with the fatty side UP.
- Bake pork at 400 until the top gets crispy and brown.
- Once the top has browned, cover the roast with foil and place back in the oven.
- Depending on how you like to cook your meat, you could lower the temp slightly for a longer cooking time.
- Baste the roast every 30 minutes or so to help infuse it with deliciousness (optional).
- Cooking time will vary widely depending on the size of your roast.
- I usually get a 10-lb roast, which takes 2-3 hours usually to cook.
- Once your roast is at your ideal temp (145*-160*), take from the oven.
- If you'd like to serve it as a roast now, let it rest for 15 or 20 minutes and then slice it.
- It will be fairly tender but should hold together well for slicing.
- Leftovers freeze well!
- Just throw any leftovers (including the bone) into the crockpot on low with a few sliced jalapenos, shred with 2 forks, and you'll have carnitas!
- I serve my carnitas with pan-fried corn tortillas, chopped red onion, cilantro, and a lime wedge.
- ***If you're planning on starting this in the crockpot for Carnitas, you will not need to add the whole amount of liquids.
- This roast is very fatty and will create a lot of its own juice.
- Pour the marinade in to the crock, leaving 3 or 4 inches clear at the top.
- Add sliced jalapenos (if desired).
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours until cooked and falling apart.
- Shred with 2 forks, throw the bone away, and enjoy!
- ***.
pork shoulder, orange juice, milk, chicken, garlic, red pepper, bay leaves, cumin, steak seasoning, salt, oregano, jalapenos
Taken from www.food.com/recipe/mexican-pork-roast-or-crockpot-carnitas-423524 (may not work)