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๐Ÿ Home ยป Recipes ยป Mexican Recipes

Pork Tenderloin Carnitas

Updated: Nov 28, 2023 ยท Published: Jan 27, 2023 by Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan ยท 11 Comments

Jump to Recipe
Time: 2 hours hrs 35 minutes mins

Juicy and delicious, these healthy Pork Tenderloin Carnitas are fall-apart tender. Make delicious pork tacos or fajitas today with these healthy citrus-infused carnitas.

Easy to make in a Dutch oven by following the simple step-by-step photo instructions.

๐Ÿ–Ingredients

Pork tenderloin
Jalapeno
Aromaticsโ€”onion and garlic
Vegetablesโ€”bell peppers and onion
Fruitsโ€”orange and lime
Pantry ingredientsโ€”chicken broth, vegetable oil, cumin, paprika, kosher salt, black pepper
Tortillas and toppingsโ€”for serving

park carnitas taco on a white plate.
Jump To (scroll for more)
  • ๐Ÿ–Ingredients
  • ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐ŸณHow to Make Pork Tenderloin Carnitas
  • โœ”๏ธTips to make it right every time
  • Other Carnitas Recipes
  • Serving
  • ๐Ÿฝ๏ธStorage of leftovers
  • FAQs
  • ๐Ÿ“–The Recipe Card with Step-by-Step Instructions
Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

Featured Comment from Megan:
"5 stars, Seriously one of the best things I've ever made! And I never comment on recipes. The flavor and moist-fall-apartness is awesome! and very healthy too:)"

Great tasting pork tenderloin carnitas infused with a spicy citrus flavor that is fall-apart tender and juice. A low-fat alternative uses chunks of pork tenderloin to replace the more traditional pork butt and no lard.

Just braise the pork and cook off the fluid to concentrate the flavors. Then, use the fond from the evaporated spicy braising liquid to add extra flavor to the vegetablesโ€”so wonderful.

These carnitas will fit a healthy diet like a low-calorie or low-fat diet or even a low-carb keto diet.

๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐ŸณHow to Make Pork Tenderloin Carnitas

pork tenderloin and carnita ingredients.

Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

pork tenderloin trimmed and cut into cubes.

Start with about 1 ยฝ to 2 pounds of pork tenderloin. I used one large, but two smaller ones would be okayโ€”just a few more leftovers. Rinse and pat dry. Remove silverskin and extra fat. Cut into 1 ยฝ inch cubes.

dicing jalapino on black board.

Mince 1 jalapeno without seeds and 2 cloves of garlic.

Mixing cubes of tenderlion with spices in clear bowl.

Mixed pork, jalapeno, garlic, salt, pepper, cumin, and paprika. Mix well until the pork is covered.

browning tenderloin in the Dutch oven.

Add 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil to a porcelain-coated Dutch oven over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, saute the pork until well browned โ€” about 10 minutes.

adding orange juice to browned meat.

When pork is browned well, remove from heat. Add 1 ยฝ cup chicken broth and juice of one orange and one lime. Scrap the bottom of the pan to loosen up the built-up fond (browned bits and caramelized drippings on the bottom of the pan).

a red Dutch oven in the oven.

Place covered in a 325ยฐ oven (no need to preheat) for 2 hours undisturbed.

cooked pork in Dutch oven uncoverd in oven.

After 2 hours, increase the oven temperature to 425ยฐ and remove the lid. Cook another 20 minutes or so until all fluid is gone.

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cooking peppers and onion in fry pan.

While the carnitas are finishing in the oven, cut up one green pepper, one red pepper, and one large onion and saute with 2 teaspoons oil over medium-high heat until tender and browning.

adding cooked veggies to dirty Dutch oven.

Remove the carnitas, and if there is any fond in the pan, add the veggies and scrape the fond loss with a wooden spoon to get that taste.

Make pork carnitas tacos with tortillas with toppings of your choice. Or use in many other dishes.

For more details, keep reading. See the Recipe Card below for complete instructions and to print.

โœ”๏ธTips to make it right every time

  • You must have a pan that is stovetop and oven-safe. Also, it must clean easily, or you will not be able to clean it after this cooking technique. A Dutch oven with a baked-on porcelain coating is ideal.
  • Orange juice and lime juice can be used for fresh fruit. Garlic powder and onion powder can also be used.
  • You can add other spices to the braising fluid.
  • You can simmer the fluid off on the stovetop or use the oven. As the fluid goes away, the flavors concentrate and produce a wonderful fond in addition to the concentrated flavor in the pork and used for the vegetablesโ€”you should never waste a good fond.
  • I added citrus flavors to the carnitas. What you use is a personal choice, but the tenderloin absorbs flavor well.

Other Carnitas Recipes

Check out some other carnitas recipes, like Pork Carnitas in the Oven, Crock Pot Pork Carnitas, or Chicken Carnitas AKA Carnitas de Pollo.

Serving

Serve the carnitas as shredded pork tacos on flour tortillas topped with sour cream, shredded cheese, and cilantro. Sides of refried or black beans, along with chips and salsa, are all I need.

Serve with refried beans, Chunky Guacamole, and Mexican Rice. And it goes well with Pineapple Mango Salsa and corn chips.

In addition to pork carnitas tacos, the pork can be used in burritos, on nachos, enchiladas, or other dishes.

If your carnitas are not browned well, shred them on a baking sheet and place them under a broiler for a few minutes.

๐Ÿฝ๏ธStorage of leftovers

Leftovers can be stored airtight in the refrigerator for 4 days or frozen for 3 months.

Reheat covered in the oven or the microwave.

FAQs

What are carnitas?

Carnitas stands for "little meats" and are found on the street in Mexico cooking in large vats of lard. They are generally chunks of pork butt.

The most common home method is braising in a spicy fluid broth and then cooking off the liquid on the stovetop, but is it easier to uncover and bake it off in the oven.

Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

This recipe is listed in these categories. See them for more similar recipes.

Healthy Recipes, Low Fat Recipes, Mexican Recipes, Pork Tenderloin Recipes

Have you tried this recipe, or have a question? Join the community discussion in the comments.

๐Ÿ“–The Recipe Card with Step-by-Step Instructions

park carnitas taco on a white plate-2

Pork Tenderloin Carnitas

4.47 from 15 votes
From Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Juicy and delicious, these healthyย Pork Tenderloin Carnitasย are fall-apart tender. Make delicious pork tacos or fajitas today with these healthy citrus-infused carnitas.
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours hours 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 2 hours hours 35 minutes minutes
Servings #/Adjustable :4 servings
Print | Pin | Email share | Like and save for later Saved!

Ingredients

US Customary - Convert to Metric
  • 1 ยฝ pound pork tenderloin
  • 1 jalapeno - cored and seeded chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic - minced or crushed
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ยฝ teaspoon pepper
  • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
  • 1 ยฝ cup chicken broth
  • 1 orange
  • 1 lime

Vegetables

  • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
  • 1 red pepper
  • 1 green pepper
  • 1 onion - large

Serving

  • tortillas and topping

Step-by-Step Instructions
 

  • Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
    pork tenderloin and carnita ingredients
  • Start with about 1 ยฝ to 2 pounds of pork tenderloin. I used one large, but two smaller ones would be okayโ€”just a few more leftovers. Rinse and pat dry. Remove silverskin and extra fat. Cut into 1 ยฝ inch cubes.
    pork tenderloin trimmed and cut into chunks
  • Mince 1 jalapeno without seeds and 2 cloves of garlic.
    dicing jalapino on black board
  • Mixed pork, jalapeno, garlic, salt, pepper, cumin, and paprika. Mix well until the pork is covered.
    mixing chunks of pork butt with spices in a white bowl
  • Add 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil to a porcelain-coated Dutch oven over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, saute the pork until well browned โ€” about 10 minutes.
    browning tenderloin in Dutch oven
  • When pork is browned well, remove from heat. Add 1 ยฝ cup chicken broth and juice of one orange and one lime. Scrap the bottom of the pan to loosen up the built-up fond (browned bits and caramelized drippings on the bottom of the pan).
    adding orange juice to browned meat
  • Place covered in a 325ยฐ oven (no need to preheat) for 2 hours undisturbed.
    red Dutch oven in the oven
  • After 2 hours, increase the oven temperature to 425ยฐ and remove the lid. Cook another 20 minutes or so until all fluid is gone.
    cooked pork tenderloin in Dutch oven uncoverd in oven
  • While the carnitas are finishing in the oven, cut up one green pepper, one red pepper, and one large onion and saute with 2 teaspoons oil over medium-high heat until tender and browning.
    cook peppers and onion in fry pan
  • Remove the carnitas and if there is any fond in the pan, add the veggies and scrape the fond loss with a wooden spoon to get that taste.
    added cooked veggies to dirty Dutch oven
  • Make pork carnitas tacos with tortillas with toppings of your choice. Or use in many other dishes.
    park carnitas taco on a white plate-2

Recipe Notes

Pro Tips

  1. Remember that pork tenderloin is not a pork loin.
  2. I suggest a good porcelain-coated Dutch oven or you may well ruin your pan.
  3. Vary the spices as you want.
  4. Good refrigerated or 3-4 days. You can freeze the meat for a 3 months
  5. Nutritional information is for meat, seasoning, and vegetables but does not include tortillas or other serving options.

Your Own Private Notes

Click here to save your own private notes only you will see. These will print and be saved for your next visit.

To adjust the recipe size:

You can adjust the number of servings above; however, only the amount in the ingredient list is adjusted, not the instructions.

Nutrition Estimate (may vary)

Calories : 307 kcal (15%)Carbohydrates : 14 g (5%)Protein : 38 g (76%)Fat : 11 g (17%)Saturated Fat : 5 g (25%)Cholesterol : 111 mg (37%)Sodium : 701 mg (29%)Potassium : 996 mg (28%)Fiber : 3 g (12%)Sugar : 7 g (8%)Vitamin A : 1399 IU (28%)Vitamin C : 91 mg (110%)Calcium : 49 mg (5%)Iron : 3 mg (17%)

Originally Published July 7, 2013. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.

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  1. Kandy McDonald says

    March 09, 2023 at 9:30 am

    Can I use a different kind of pan? I really don't want to purchase another, porcelain coated. I have too many pans already.

    Reply
    • Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says

      March 09, 2023 at 9:35 am

      Hi Kandy,

      The porcelain was recommended to help clean up. Use any pan you think you can clean but I have see recipes like this ruin other pans.

      Dan

  2. Jane says

    April 09, 2017 at 6:10 pm

    So I am using a tenderloin that is 1.15 ounces. How long do you think I should cook it in the oven?
    Love your site!!

    Reply
    • DrDan says

      April 09, 2017 at 8:10 pm

      Hi Jane,
      I would probable cut back the cumin and paprika a bit but otherwise not change anything. Even that is optional. No change in cooking time.

      Dan

  3. Debbie and Emily says

    October 02, 2016 at 4:49 pm

    My daughter and I made this last night. We felt like we were having dinner in a restaurant! Was delicious! We are very excited to have found your recepies and will be trying more. THANK YOU!!!!

    Reply
    • DrDan says

      October 04, 2016 at 7:48 am

      I love carnitas and this way I allow myself that more often.
      Thanks so much for the note.
      Dan

  4. Megan says

    March 30, 2016 at 8:42 pm

    5 stars
    Seriously one of the best things I've ever made! And I never comment on recipes. The flavor and moist-fall-apartness is awesome! and very healthy too:) my husband and 2 year old loved it (I left off jalapenos because of my kid) Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  5. James Dunn says

    March 02, 2014 at 12:03 pm

    Nice. Really works for me. Yum!

    Reply
    • DrDan says

      March 02, 2014 at 12:08 pm

      Thanks for the comment, I really REALLY like this one and its very healthy.
      DrDan

  6. Tiago says

    December 05, 2013 at 10:24 pm

    Can you convert this to a slow cooker recipe?

    Reply
    • DrDan says

      December 06, 2013 at 7:07 am

      No, not a good conversion. You all the browning that is most of the flavor. You can't get that in a crockpot.

DrDan imageHi, I'm DrDan.
Welcome to 101 Cooking for Two, the home of great everyday recipes with easy step-by-step photo instructions.
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