Every year for New Year’s Eve, a group of friends and us always do a taco potluck. Years ago we decided staying in was the best way to go for New Year’s (although part of me does wish we would end the night going out dancing and wearing fancy outfits but clubs are always so expensive on NYE!). Everyone brings a different taco filling to the party. We’ll usually have the works: guac, cheese, lettuce, tomato, salsas, 4 different types of meat, and about 6 types of hot sauces. This past year I brought queso and my boyfriend brought carnitas.
Now these carnitas are probably one of my favorite taco fillings. They are so flavorful and wonderfully crunchy. I’m also a sucker for any recipe where you can “set it and forget it”. Lol. In this case you just set it in the oven, set a timer, and are free to go off and do things. (Without leaving your house!)
When they’re done, sear them on a pan to get a nice crisp while still maintaining juiciness.
I love eating it with the corn chile salsa from Trader Joe’s. I also like making pickled red onions to go with it. Soon everyone will be having taco potlucks.
Carnitas
Ingredients
- 4 lb pork shoulder
- kosher salt and pepper
- 1 tbs oregano
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tbs olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 jalapeno, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup orange juice, store bought or fresh squeezed from 2 oranges
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 F.
- Rub pork shoulder with salt, pepper, oregano, and cumin.
- In a dutch oven, heat oil on medium heat. Sear each side of the pork shoulder for about 2 minutes or until browned. Add the onion, jalapeno and garlic. Pour orange juice over everything and cover with lid. Roast for 2 hours. Then turn the oven off and leave in leave in the closed oven for 1 hour.
- Shred the meat with two forks.
- In a different skillet, heat a 1-2 tbs oil on medium-high heat and sear one side of the shredded pieces until golden brown and a crust starts to form. Flip and sear until golden brown but not as crusty as the first side. You will have to do this in batches.
- Serve in tacos or taco bowls with your favorite toppings and hot sauce.
