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    Home | Recipes | Crock-Pot Recipes

    Copycat Chipotle Style Carnitas Recipe

    Published: Apr 29, 2016 · Modified: Sep 19, 2023 by Sarah Mock As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate links.

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    This copycat chipotle carnitas recipe is easily made at home in a crock-pot or a dutch oven. Make this pulled pork at the start of the week and you have so many easy dinner options throughout the week.

    Copycat Chipotle Style Carnitas Recipe

    Is this recipe from Chipotle?

    This is my interpretation of a copy cat recipe because no matter how hard I try, I can not make carnitas as well as the good folks at Chipotle. I think it is pretty close... Close enough for me to curb that craving until I can get across town and have an official carnitas bowl.

    All you pork lovers need to check out my sous vide pork chop recipe!

    What goes with pork carnitas?

    • white rice or brown rice
    • seasoned black beans or seasoned pinto beans
    • grilled bell peppers
    • grilled onions
    • shredded cheddar cheese
    • Chipotle corn salsa recipe
    • Salsa Verde
    • Black Bean Salsa
    • Sour Cream
    • Cilantro

    What kind of meat is used for carnitas?

    The best kind of meat to use for carnitas is a pork butt. Also known as a pork shoulder or Boston butt. There is bone-in and boneless versions of pork butt. I am a fan of bone-in. It is a little cheaper than a boneless pork butt but, I feel like the bone adds to the flavor of the end result.

    Copycat Chipotle Style Carnitas Recipe

    How do you serve carnitas meat?

    My favorite way to serve carnitas is in a taco with rice, beans, a fresh salsa, shredded cheese, guacamole, sour cream and cilantro. But another delicious option is to use it in burritos, enchiladas, taco bowl or as part of any dish that calls for pulled pork.

    Chipotle Carnitas Ingredients:

    • boneless, skinless pork shoulder
    • Kosher salt
    • ground pepper
    • vegetable oil
    • garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
    • thyme sprigs
    • bay leaves, fresh or dry
    • water
    Copycat Chipotle Style Carnitas Recipe

    Chipotle Carnitas Oven instructions:

    1. Preheat oven
    2. Season pork shoulder all over with salt and pepper.
    3. Sear pork.
    4. Add 3 cups water to the pot, and seasonings.
    5. Cover and cook. 
    6. See recipe card for detailed instructions.
    Copycat Chipotle Style Carnitas Recipe

    How to shred carnitas:

    1. Remove the dutch oven from oven.
    2. Remove the pork and place on a cutting board.
    3. Using two forks, shred pork into bite-size pieces
    4. Return the pork to the pot and mix the meat with all that wonderful liquid that it has been taking a bath in for the past few hours.
    5. Season with more salt and pepper if needed.

    Copycat Chipotle Style Carnitas Recipe

    Sarah Mock
    This copy-cat chipotle carnitas recipe is easily made at home in a crock-pot or a dutch oven. Make this pulled pork at the start of the week and you have so many easy dinner options throughout the week.
    5 from 10 votes
    Print Recipe
    Note From Sarah

    There is more to a recipe than just the recipe card. Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!

    Prep time for the recipePrep Time 16 minutes mins
    Cook time for the recipeCook Time 5 hours hrs
    total time to prep and cook the recipe.Total Time 5 hours hrs 16 minutes mins
    Prevent your screen from going dark, toggle to button to the right to turn GREEN
    Course Pork Recipes
    Cuisine Mexican
    Makes 16 servings
    Per Serving 357 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 3-4 pounds boneless (skinless pork shoulder)
    • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
    • 2-3 tablespoons vegetable oil
    • 8 garlic cloves (peeled and crushed)
    • 8-10 thyme sprigs
    • 6 bay leaves
    • 3 cups water

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 325°.
    • Season pork shoulder all over with salt and pepper.
    • Heat oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Sear pork until it’s golden brown on all sides, 5 to 8 minutes per side. Remember that color equals flavor. Don't be afraid to sear your meat!
    • Add 3 cups water to the pot, along with garlic, thyme, and bay leaves.
    • Cover with an oven save lid (or aluminum foil) and cook until it’s completely tender and falling apart, 3 to 5 hours.
    • Remove from oven and using two forks, shred pork in the pot to bite-size pieces, mixing it with all that wonderful liquid that it has been taking a bath in for the past few hours.
    • Season with more salt and pepper if needed.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Calories: 357kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 27gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 102mgSodium: 98mg

    Nutrition Disclosure

    Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.

    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Sharing of this recipe to social media is both encouraged and appreciated. Please share the direct link back to the recipe. Copy/Pasting and/or screenshots of the recipe to any social media is strictly prohibited. Content and photographs are copyright protected. SavoringTheGood®

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    Copycat Chipotle Style Carnitas Recipe

    original publish date: Apr 29, 2016

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    About Sarah Mock

    Sarah Mock is a classically trained Chef and graduate of Johnson & Wales University. A culinary blogger for 14 years Sarah helps the home cook prepare her recipes with professional results.

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    Sarah Mock

    Sarah Mock of savoringthegood.com headshot 2022

    Sarah Mock is a classically trained Chef and graduate of Johnson & Wales University. A culinary blogger for 14 years Sarah helps the home cook prepare her recipes with professional results.
    Learn More about me!

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