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Cuban mojo carnitas
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Cuban Mojo Inspired Carnitas

Course entrees
Keyword citrus, dinner ideas, pork
Total Time 4 hours
Author thedishnextdoor

Equipment

  • blender or food processor
  • dutch oven or deep skillet
  • 1 Baking sheet
  • nonstick foil

Ingredients

Mojo Sauce:

  • 8-10 cloves garlic smashed
  • 1 Tbl. oregano
  • 2 tsp. cumin
  • ¾ cup orange juice
  • ¼ cup lime juice
  • 1 cup cilantro
  • ¼ cup fresh mint
  • 1 large onion, quartered

Carnitas:

  • 3 ½-4 lbs. pork butt, excess fat trimmed and cut into 3-4 inch chunks
  • ½ tsp. whole cloves
  • ¼-½ tsp. red pepper flakes
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 medium orange, zested + sliced in half
  • ¼ cup canola or vegetable oil

Instructions

  • Line a baking sheet with paper towels. Transfer cut pork butt onto the baking sheet in an even layer. Season with salt and pepper. Let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  • In a blender, bullet, or food processor, combine the garlic, oregano, cumin, orange juice, lime juice, cilantro, and mint. Blend until combined. If there are chunks of garlic, that's alright. Set aside.
  • In a large dutch oven over medium-high heat, add a tablespoon or two of the oil. Brown the piece of pork on 2 sides a few at a time, about 3 minutes each side. You may need to cook in batches. Set aside, leaving any oils in the pan. Repeat until all the pork is browned, but not completely cooked.
  • Add in the remaining oil and onion. Cook for another 30 seconds - 1 minute.
  • Stir in the mojo sauce and pieces of pork.
  • Squeeze the juices out of the orange halves. Throw the peeling in the pan as well.
  • Add in the cloves, pepper flakes bay leaf, and orange zest.
  • Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the dutch oven and cook for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • After 2 hours, uncover and reduce heat to low. Cook for another 45 minutes- 1 hour, stirring often, or until most of the liquid is evaporate.
  • Remove from the heat. Discard the orange peeling and bay leaf
  • Line a baking sheet with foil. Transfer the pork to the baking sheet and shred. Add a tablespoon or two of the oils from the pot and coat the pork. Broil in the oven for 3-5 minutes or until the edges of the meat becomes brown and crispy.
  • Serve with other sides of your choice.