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Sometimes I'm such an old stick-in-the-mud*. I wish it wasn't true but, in this particular case, I just can't help it.
We have a fabulous Mexican restaurant within a mile of our home. It's been voted numerous times as one of the best restaurants here in Raleigh. Their menu is fairly small, but has lots of variety, offering chicken, pork, steak, fish and vegetarian entrees. When I'm feeling lazy (more often than I like to admit) or rushed for time, we love to call in an order and within 30 minutes there's a delicious Mexican dinner on our table.
Every time we get ready to order, I think the same thing: "This time, I'm going to try something different". My eyes scroll down the online menu and I stop, every time at the Carnitas - corn tortilla / slow roasted pork / cilantro / tomatillo salsa / onions. I can't bring myself to read any further. Then I say to Scott, "This time, I'm going to try something different. I'll have the Carnitas". And he starts laughing. See what I mean?
An old stick-in-the-mud.
I decided a while back to work on my own version of Slow Roasted Mexican Pork, and when I saw Boston butt on sale at one of the local markets, I purchased one of the big, (somewhat intimidating looking) cuts of pork. I tried a recipe from one of my favorite web sites, but we didn't think it was super flavorful, so the next time, I put together my own version. I went through a couple of these roasts before I got the recipe right. They're sold with or without a bone and I've found the boneless a bit easier to work with, though either one works fine.
Just a heads up: this recipe makes a lot! An average bone-in Boston butt roast is around eight pounds. You could probably get a smaller piece of pork from your butcher and half the recipe, but the wonderful thing about this pork is the fact that it freezes beautifully. If I'm not serving a crowd, I like to divide the pork into portions and freeze it to pull out on busy days, when I need a meal in a hurry.
I love to serve this Slow Roasted Mexican Pork, as pictured, on corn or flour tortillas with Avocado Crema, Pickled Red Onions, chopped white onions, sweet corn (I like to use this method to slightly steam and husk at the same time) and cilantro, but there are lots of other ways to use this succulent, tender meat. It's great in salads, (with this Mexican-inspired dressing), in quesadillas served with a side of the Avocado Crema, in nachos, burritos, enchiladas, and on it's own, with beans and rice.
If you're looking for something delicious to feed a crowd, this is it! I love that all the work can be done in advance. It's also wonderful to have some stashed in the freezer, for busy weeknights.
Next time you see a Boston butt or (pork shoulder) on sale, throw one in your cart. When you get home, cut it up, stir together the braising sauce and pop the whole works in the oven (or slow cooker). Your house will have the wonderful aroma of an exotic Mexican cantina. But just a warning: your family/friends may become old "sticks-in-the-mud" and beg for this over and over!
P.S. If you want to take a meal right over the top, try serving this pork with these Homemade Flour Tortillas. It's crazy to me, but this is the all-time most popular Café recipe! Check out the comments; I've had people from all over the globe write and share their wonderful results. *For readers from other parts of the world who don't understand our strange American slang, "stick-in-the-mud" means a boring, very boring person!
- 7-8 pound Boston butt roast
- 1 tablespoon ground coriander
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon dry oregano
- 2 tablespoons dry onion
- 3 medium-size bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar packed
- 6 medium cloves cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- 1 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 ½ cups water
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
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Preheat oven to 300˚F.
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Cut pork into approximately 2 ½ to 3-inch cubes, trimming off any large portions of fat. You won't be able to trim it all off and some fat is important for the flavor. If you have a bone-in roast just cut the meat from around the bone as much as possible.
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Combine remaining ingredients in a large dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot with a lid. Stir well, then add pork and stir again. Bring to a boil on the stove top, then cover and place in preheated oven. Bake for 3 ½-4 hours or until meat is very tender.
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Drain meat, reserving liquid. Set meat aside to cool slightly.
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Pour drained liquid through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium size pot. Add tomato paste and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Cook until thick and syrupy and reduced to about 11/4 cups.
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With two forks, shred each piece of pork into 2 or 3 pieces. Place shredded meat into a large oven-safe dish. Add enough of the reduced liquid to moisten meat. Gently stir to coat the pork.
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Rewarm, if needed, in the oven (or microwave on power level 5). Serve pork on it's own, with rice and beans or in tacos, carnitas, enchiladas, burritos,. etc.
Pork can also be cooked in a crock pot or slow cooker. Follow directions and place in crock pot insert. Cover and cook on high or 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours or until meat easily shreds with a fork.
Pork can be rewarmed in the oven or microwave (power level 5). Serve pork on it's own, with rice and beans or in tacos, carnitas, enchiladas, burritos,. etc.
Sara says
I tried this in the crock pot and the family loved it! I didn't have lime juice so used bottled lemon, and it was still delicious. I trimmed the fat prior to cooking but it still took a while to remove the visible layers of fat from the pork shoulder. It made so much that it was worth the initial effort on the front end. As good as our local favorite restaurant. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Chris Scheuer says
So glad you enjoyed it Sara! It is loaded with flavor, isn't it?
Karen C says
I made this for today's dinner along with the pickled red onions. It turned out fabulous. Great pork recipe. I did make one addition...I added a handfull of Bruno;s mild wax peppers to the mix and they cooked right along with the pork.
Served in a tortilla bowl, along with black beans, avocado, and Mexican coleslaw.
Debra says
Worth the wait for this recipe. I order the same thing, too, and it is hard to break out if that mold. Pulled a few red onions from the garden today and made your pickled onions. Thought they would be great on bratwurst a for the fourth.
Sandra says
I bought a half pork butt today. Had I read this post earlier I would have purchased the whole thing so I could make this. Those pickled onions look like ribbons, just beautiful!
Barbara, R.N. Nutritionist says
We don't have a good Mexican restaurant here, so I have to make my own and this is one thing I want to make soon. There are just the two of us, so most of it will be vacuum bagged and frozen for later meals because I am having hand surgery, requiring several months of one-handed-ness while healing/rehabbing with a therapist. I don't do avocados (I really, truly can't stand them) or flour tortillas - corn only - and this recipe will make life worth living while being bored out of my mind, I know! Add a stash of this to the tortilla soup I'll have made, and I may just survive the ordeal before I have to get the other hand done. I have taught my non-cooking hubby how to make Tex-Mex chile gravy, so there will be a little variety in our cuisine, but pork is where I intend to bury my hungry face, and just pig out! Just a tip = diabetes was unknown in the northern states of Mexico until they adopted our bad habits of making/eating flour tortillas, and after they began to eat them instead of the corn, diabetes became epidemic. I do the same ordering as you do, only at our favorite Chinese take-out, by always ordering the same thing.
lena says
amazing pics! thanks for the explanation on ' stick in the mud'!
Denise Browning@From Brazil To You says
This is comfort food on the plate... This looks so good, Chris!
Angie (@angiesrecipess) says
Looks so GOOD with pickled onions and avocado cream!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I read the first of this post and cracked up. I do the same thing at our favorite restaurant and then John says, "me too," and orders the mussels and rack of lamb every single time.
I can see why you'd love carnitas if they look like this. Yumm-o
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
How I wish I had a stash of this in my freezer right now! I'd have to whip up some tortillas but it would be worth it. I'm so immature... Boston Butt hehe. I wonder what would be the equivalent here?
cheri says
Great recipe Chris, we have family over quite often, this would be perfect.
Lisa {AuthenticSuburbanGourmet} says
Chris - I wished you lived next door THEN I could come over and taste these beauties! Oh how I wish I could pluck them from the screen and serve them up for tonights dinner. Simply divine!
Sophia @ NY Foodgasm says
Looks fabulous Chris!! Can I come over for dinner?! Pretty please!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
First of all Chris, every time I open your page I see that adorable photo - you are a lovely couple! So cute - just love that picture. Also - I am a card carrying member of that same club. We have a favorite Korean restaurant and I always order the same thing. My husband tries this, and tries that - but not me. Choi the owner understands me! Love this recipe - who could go wrong with spicy tender pork! Yum!!!
Liz says
I'm so sad I'm not your neighbor...as I'd be over as soon as the aroma of these carnitas came wafting out of your kitchen! Your version look irresistible!!!
Happier Than A Pig In Mud says
Such a colorful and hearty dinner Chris-sounds great:@)
dorothy says
Hi Chris. ,
I love carnitas..Here where I live we do not have a good Mexican restaurant.. When I do mine I too buy the boneless variety of the pork.. Into the slow cooker with as much Mojo as it takes to cover and then I "doctor" it up with my personnel taste, seasoning..lots of garlic especially.
Can't wait to try the pickled onions they look delicious... Also the avocado crema..looks so good...perhaps this weekend..
Monique says
Gosh that looks fresh and delicious!
Hope to make all 3 this summer..
We are so alike in menu ordering.:)
I'm a SITM for much more than that though..:)
Ginny Hartzler says
Looks really good! I love making too much! We eat for two days and then freeze the rest.