Best 7 Mexican Braised Pork Shoulder Recipes

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**Carnitas Michoacán-Style: A Succulent Pork Feast**

Carnitas, a traditional Mexican dish, delights taste buds with its succulent, tender pork shoulder braised in a blend of savory spices and citrus flavors. Originating from the state of Michoacán, this recipe promises an explosion of authentic Mexican flavors. The pork shoulder, slow-cooked in a flavorful broth, emerges fall-off-the-bone tender, perfect for tacos, burritos, or simply savored on its own. Accompanying the carnitas are three tantalizing salsas: a smoky, spicy salsa roja, a refreshing pico de gallo with its vibrant mix of tomatoes, onions, and cilantro, and a cool, creamy guacamole that adds a touch of richness. With its diverse and enticing flavors, this Carnitas Michoacán-Style recipe promises a culinary journey to the heart of Mexico.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

BRAISED PORK TACOS



Braised Pork Tacos image

Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network

Time 4h45m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

1 (4 to 5 pound) boneless pork shoulder
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 onions, cut into wedges, root end attached
4 large cloves garlic, crushed
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped oregano leaves, half a palmful
2 red chiles, thinly sliced
4 bay leaves
1 (12-ounce) bottle Mexican beer
2 cups chicken stock
4 oranges, juiced about 2 cups
1 chipotle pepper, seeded and finely chopped, plus 1 tablespoon of adobo sauce
2 limes, juiced
1 1/2 cups white wine vinegar or white balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup sugar
2 small red onions, thinly sliced
1 cup drained sliced store-bought pickled jalapenos or banana pepper rings
1/4 head red cabbage, shredded
1 cup crumbled queso fresco or 2 cups shredded Monterey jack
16 corn or flour tortillas, charred over open flame and kept warm in tortilla warmer or towel

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Season the pork generously with salt and pepper, to taste, and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  • Pat the pork dry with a paper towel. Heat a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over high heat with 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, 2 turns of the pan. Put the pork in the pot and evenly brown the meat all over, it will take about 10 to 12 minutes; remove the pork to a plate and reserve.
  • Turn heat down to medium-high, and add the extra-virgin olive oil to the pot, a couple of turns of the pan. Add the onions and garlic, salt and pepper, to taste, the oregano, 1 sliced chili pepper and 2 bay leaves and cook for 7 to 8 minutes. Deglaze the pot with the beer, scraping up the bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. Stir in the chicken stock and orange juice. Add the reserved pork back to the pot (the liquid should come about 2/3 the way up the meat) and bring to a simmer. Cover and put the pork in the oven, turning the meat halfway through cooking, until the meat is very tender, about 2 1/2-3 hours. Remove the pork from the pot, to a cutting board and tent with foil to keep warm. When cool enough to handle, pull the meat apart with 2 forks.
  • Simmer the braising liquid over medium heat until reduced by half. Add the chipotle and adobo sauce and the lime juice. Add about 2/3 of the shredded meat and stir. Cool the remaining shredded pork and chill for another use.
  • While the pork is cooking, prepare the pickled red onions: in a small saucepot, bring the white wine vinegar, sugar, teaspoon of salt, remaining chili pepper and bay leaves to a simmer over low heat. Put the sliced red onions in a small sealable container. Carefully pour the hot liquid over the onions, cover and give it a shake. You may need to lift the lid to release some of the pressure. Every now and then, give it a good shake. Refrigerate to cool.
  • To serve, put the chipotle pulled pork on a platter and garnish with pickled onions and pickled jalapeno slices. Serve with shredded cabbage, crumbled cheese and tortillas for wrapping.

CITRUS-BRAISED PORK



Citrus-Braised Pork image

Using a Dutch oven to make amazing pulled pork indoors is easy and foolproof with this flavorful recipe. Use in sandwiches or make into chilaquiles.

Provided by Ashley Baron Rodriguez

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Latin American     Mexican

Time 8h55m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 cups orange juice
1 yellow onion, sliced
½ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
10 cloves garlic, smashed
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1 ½ tablespoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons freshly grated lime zest
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 dried bay leaves
3 ½ pounds bone-in pork shoulder roast

Steps:

  • Mix orange juice, onion, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, brown sugar, salt, oregano, cumin, lime zest, pepper, and bay leaves in a heavy Dutch oven. Add pork shoulder; turn to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator, 4 hours to overnight.
  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Remove Dutch oven from the refrigerator and cover tightly with aluminum foil.
  • Bake pork in the preheated oven until heated through, about 1 1/2 hours. Flip pork carefully. Replace foil and bake for 1 hour more. Remove aluminum foil. Continue baking uncovered, turning once halfway through, until pork falls apart and marinade is reduced, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
  • Remove pork from oven and let rest for 20 minutes. Shred pork in the Dutch oven using 2 forks; mix shredded pork with the reduced marinade. Discard bay leaves.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 298.1 calories, Carbohydrate 10.7 g, Cholesterol 52 mg, Fat 22 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 14.3 g, SaturatedFat 5.9 g, Sodium 762.8 mg, Sugar 6.7 g

CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL BRAISED PORK SHOULDER RECIPE



Chipotle Mexican Grill Braised Pork Shoulder Recipe image

This is an authentic recipe...I saw it on Cooking with Beth and Bill. Chef Steve Ells, Chipotle Mexican Grill.

Provided by Iron Woman

Categories     Mexican

Time 3h20m

Yield 8-12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 (6 lb) pork shoulder, boneless
2 -3 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, thinly sliced
4 medium tomatoes
4 -6 garlic cloves
1/2-1 teaspoon cumin powder
2 -4 sprigs fresh oregano
2 whole cloves
2 bay leaves
2 dried chipotle chiles
3/4 cup water or 3/4 cup meat stock
salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Generously salt and pepper the pork shoulder; let meat come to room temperature, about 2 hours.
  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
  • Add olive oil to a large ovenproof pan. Sear the pork over medium-high heat until very brown on all sides. Remove pork from the pan; let rest on a platter for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Leaving an even coating, drain excess oil from the pan. Add onions; sweat over low heat until translucent. Return pork to the pan; add remaining ingredients. Cover pan, place in the oven and cook for 2 to 3 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 140 to 150 degrees F. Let pork rest 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.
  • Use as burrito/taco meat or you can serve with vegetables and potatoes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 852.7, Fat 64.8, SaturatedFat 21.7, Cholesterol 241.5, Sodium 225.7, Carbohydrate 4.5, Fiber 1, Sugar 2.3, Protein 59.2

MEXICAN BRAISED PORK SHOULDER



MEXICAN BRAISED PORK SHOULDER image

Categories     Pork     Braise

Yield 6-8 people

Number Of Ingredients 20

31/2-4# boneless pork shoulder (paleta de puerco)
2 medium vidalia onions, quartered
2 large pablano chile peppers, deseeded and cut into 1/2" sized pieces
5 cloves garlic, minced
12oz. light Mexican beer (like Tecate)
12oz. can quality tomato paste
12oz. water
28oz. can prepared green chile enchilada sauce (like La Victoria)
6oz. tamed pickled jalapenos (use hot if preferred)
1 Tbl. habanero sauce (can be added after cooking to obtain desired spice level)
1 Tbl. ground coriander
1/2 Tbl. ground cumin
1/2 Tbl. granulated garlic
1/2 Tbl. granulated onion
2 Tbl. salt
1 Tbl. fresh ground black pepper
1 Tbl. canola oil
iceberg lettuce, minced
tortillas (flour or corn, which ever you prefer)
queso fresco (or desired cheese)

Steps:

  • Season pork shoulder evenly with coriander, cumin, garlic, onion, salt, and pepper. Add canola oil to a pre-heated dutch/french oven on stove top. once oil is hot sear pork on 1 side for 5 minutes on medium heat (allowing pork to brown by not moving until meat releases from pot). repeat browning on all sides. remove pork and set aside. add onions and pablanos into pot (add a little oil if needed). while veggies are cooking constantly scrap any brown bits from bottom of pot. Continue till onions become translucent. next, add the garlic and continue cooking for 45 seconds. than, add the beer. continue scrapping of all brown bits while beer reduces to 1/4 cup. than add tomato paste; constantly stirring for 1 1/2 minutes. now add the enchilada sauce, water, and jalapenos. mix sauce and veggies till incorporated well. (this can all be done a day ahead and braiseing process can be done later if desired) return pork and let sauce come to boil. cover, and place in pre-heated 350 degree oven for 2.5-3 hours (until pork pulls apart with fork). remove pork to cutting board and shed with a fork, removeing any excess fat. taste sauce for heat and add haberno sauce if desired. return meat to sauce. serve with heated tortillas, and shredded lettuce, and cheese. *can use any leftovers for an awesome breakfest by adding pork to scrambled eggs.

BRAISED PORK SHOULDER



Braised Pork Shoulder image

Provided by Anne Burrell

Categories     main-dish

Time 3h45m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 tablespoons coriander seeds, toasted
2 tablespoons cumin seeds, toasted
One 4-pound boneless pork picnic shoulder, sliced in half along the grain
Kosher salt
Extra-virgin olive oil
1 fennel bulb, sliced
1 large onion, sliced
Pinch crushed red pepper
4 cloves garlic, smashed and finely chopped
2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
2 cups dry white wine
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
3 bay leaves
1 bundle fresh thyme
3 to 4 cups chicken stock

Steps:

  • Using a spice grinder, grind the coriander and cumin seeds until they are a fine powder.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Sprinkle the pork shoulder with the ground spices and salt, then tie each piece so they cook evenly.
  • Coat a Dutch oven with olive oil and bring to a high heat. Brown the first pork on all sides. Remove the pork from the pan and reserve. Ditch the fat in the pan and give a few drops of new oil. Repeat with the second pork and remove.
  • Lower the heat to medium and toss in the fennel and onions and season them with salt and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper. Cook the onions and fennel until they are soft and very aromatic, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and cook 2 to 3 minutes longer.
  • Add the wine and reduce by half. Stir in the mustard and add the bay leaves and thyme. Return the pork to the Dutch oven and add stock to the pan until it comes halfway up the side of the pork. Add salt if needed. Bring the liquid to a boil, cover and put the Dutch oven in the preheated oven.
  • After 1 hour, turn the pork over and add more liquid to the pan if the liquid level has gone down. Cover and return to the oven for 1 hour.
  • Turn the pork back over and return to the oven without the lid and cook for 45 more minutes. The liquid should concentrate.
  • Remove the pan from the oven, remove the pork and reserve for 15 minutes, tented with aluminum foil. Skim any excess fat from the pan and reduce the pan juices, if needed.
  • Slice the pork and serve with onions, fennel and juices.
  • Wine Pairing Suggestion: Pinot Grigio

CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL BRAISED PORK SHOULDER



Chipotle Mexican Grill Braised Pork Shoulder image

This is a similiar version of Chipotle's restaurant pork. I crave Chipotle's often and so I was glad to finally have a recipe I could create on my own. Note that the pork is supposed to come to room temp. before cooking. (2 hours) I would never do that. I am a freakezoid when it comes to raw meat, but you may be more savvy than I am, so that might work for you. Also, garnish ingredients are approximate. I found this on www.grillinchillin.com

Provided by KCShell

Categories     Pork

Time 3h20m

Yield 8-12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 20

1 (6 lb) boneless pork shoulder
2 -3 tablespoons oil
1 onion
4 medium tomatoes
4 -6 cloves garlic
1/2-1 teaspoon cumin
2 -4 sprigs fresh oregano
2 whole cloves
2 bay leaves
2 dried chipotle chiles
3/4 cup water or 3/4 cup meat stock
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
8 -12 flour tortillas
2 cups shredded lettuce
1/2 cup sour cream
2 cups grated cheese
1 cup salsa
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 cup black olives, chopped

Steps:

  • Generously salt and pepper the pork shoulder.
  • Let meat come to room temperature (2 hours) I would never, ever do this step, but some of you may feel comfortable.
  • Preheat oven to 325*.
  • Add olive oil to pan, sear pork.
  • Let rest 10- 15 minutes.
  • Drain excess oil from pan.
  • Add remaining ingredients to pork.
  • Cover and cook 2-3 hours until internal temperature reaches 140*- 150*.
  • Let pork rest 10- 15 minutes before slicing.
  • Fill flour tortillas with shredded pork, garnish with lettuce, sour cream, grated cheese, salsa, tomatos and black olives or garnish as desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1169.1, Fat 86.5, SaturatedFat 31.4, Cholesterol 266.2, Sodium 1343.9, Carbohydrate 28.4, Fiber 3.7, Sugar 5.3, Protein 67.4

BRAISED PORK SHOULDER



Braised Pork Shoulder image

Make and share this Braised Pork Shoulder recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Barb G.

Categories     Pork

Time 5h

Yield 10-12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 -6 lbs boneless pork shoulder
2 -3 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, cut in half, then thinly sliced
4 medium tomatoes, seeded and chopped
4 -6 garlic cloves, peeled, and chopped
1/2 teaspoon cumin
2 -4 sprigs fresh oregano
2 whole cloves
2 bay leaves
2 dried chipotle peppers
1/4-1/2 cup water
salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Generously salt and pepper the pork shoulder and let meat come to room temperature (about 2 hours) Preheat oven to 325°F.
  • Add olive oil to a large, deep pan, Over medium-high heat, sear pork until brown on all sides; set aside.
  • Dump excess oil from pan, leaving a coating of oil.
  • Add onions to pan and sweat over low heat until translucent.
  • Return pork to pan and add remaining ingredients.
  • Cover and place in oven, and cook for 2 to 3 hours (internal temperature should be about 140-150°F) or cook on stove top for 2 to 3 hours over low heat.
  • Remove pork from pan and let rest 10-15 minutes before slicing.
  • Serve with a starch and vegetables.

Tips:

  • Sear the pork shoulder before braising. This will help to create a flavorful crust and lock in the juices.
  • Use a Dutch oven or slow cooker. These cooking methods will help to tenderize the pork and create a flavorful broth.
  • Add plenty of spices and herbs to the braising liquid. This will help to create a flavorful and aromatic dish.
  • Cook the pork shoulder until it is fall-apart tender. This will typically take at least 2 hours, but may take longer depending on the size of the pork shoulder.
  • Serve the pork shoulder with your favorite sides. Some popular options include rice, beans, tortillas, and salsa.

Conclusion:

Mexican braised pork shoulder is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a special occasion or a weeknight meal. With its tender meat, flavorful sauce, and versatile serving options, this dish is sure to be a hit with everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting way to cook pork shoulder, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

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