Cinco de Mayo

Who doesn't love a traditional Mexican feast? There is no better time to celebrate than Cinco de Mayo. Scroll through to find my favorite recipe for authentic pork carnitas.

• INGREDIENTS

• 4 pounds pork shoulder,
•    cut into several large pieces
• 3 tablespoons sea salt 
• 3 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 64 oz chicken broth
• 1 clove garlic, crushed

1. Heat vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over high heat. Season the pork shoulder with salt, then arrange the pork in the Dutch oven. Cook until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Add the onion, garlic, lime juice, chili powder, oregano, and cumin. Pour in the chicken broth, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and continue to simmer until pork is very tender, about 2 1/2 hours.

Brad trimming the pork shoulder

With the help of my family, we spent the afternoon preparing fresh salsa, tending to carnitas & watching playoff hockey for the win.

Tip: For an amazing restaurant style taste, bake tortilla chips in 350 degree oven for a few minutes then sprinkle with sea salt. Facilisimo!

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

1. Transfer the pork shoulder to a large baking sheet, reserving the cooking liquid. Drizzle with a small amount of the reserved cooking liquid and lightly season with salt, optional.
2. Bake the pork in the preheated oven until browned, about 30 minutes. Drizzle more of the cooking liquid on the meat every 10 minutes, and use two forks to shred the meat as it browns.

My sous chef, Brooke, helped me pull the pork and drizzle every ten minutes once the pork had completed simmering in garlic lime broth. This important step ensures perfect browning on top of the meat while sealing in juices and maximizing flavor.

Some might find carnitas to be a bit dry. This recipe has a moist, distinctive flavor and has become a real crowd favorite. Serve with warm, fresh tortillas. Top with cheese, salsa, and fresh-squeezed lime for a kid-friendly option, or kick it up a notch with cilantro and jalapeno, as shown below. Buen provecho!

The only thing missing from this comida completa is a margarita! Stay tuned for a future blog post on Skinny Cucumber-Citrus margaritas. To watch a video tutorial for authentic pork carnitas, visit allrecipes.com.

XOXO,
Sheryl