Healthier Pork Carnitas with Pork Tenderloin

Packed full of tasty goodness. A simple “skinny” version of Pork Carnitas that is low fat. Start with a pork tenderloin cut and spice it up. Brown on the stove top and then braise in the oven with a citrus infused liquid. Finish with some browning and you will be the kitchen hero.

I’m fat ad-versed. The traditional carnitas are chicks of fatty spiced up pork shoulder rendered in it owns fat. Most versions use some citrus for taste and spicing is variable. I’m taking away the fat and using pork tenderloin to keep things tender and tasty.

Rating

A solid 5.

Notes: If your ideas of Carnitas revolves around the rendered fat, this is not your carnitas. If you want healthier tasty goodness, this is for you.  I have made the traditional version with all the fat, and I think it took me 2 hours to clean the messy kitchen. Great taste but not worth the work at home.

These are worth the work. To clean up just soak the pan for a few hours and things clean up quickly.

Other Carnitas Options

Easy Oven Carnitas

Crock Pot Pork Carnitas

Chicken Carnitas AKA Carnitas de Pollo

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

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

Mince one jalapeno without seeds and two cloves of garlic.

Mixed pork, the jalapeno, the garlic, one t kosher salt, 1/2 t pepper, one t cumin, and one t paprika. Mix well until pork is covered.

Saute the pork over medium-high heat until well browned. About 10 minutes.

When pork is browned well, remove from heat. Add 1 1/2 cup chicken broth along with the 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).

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

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

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

Serve on tortillas.

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4.34 from 6 votes

Healthier Pork Carnitas with Pork Tenderloin

Packed full of tasty goodness. A simple "skinny" version of Pork Carnitas that is low fat. Start with a pork tenderloin cut and spice it up. Brown on the stove top and then braise in the oven with a citrus infused liquid. Finish with some browning and you will be the kitchen hero.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time2 hrs 30 mins

Total Time2 hrs 35 mins

Author: Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan

Course : Main Course

Cuisine : Mexican

Keyword : Healthy, Tex-Mex

Servings/Adjust Amount: 4 servings

4

Ingredients

• 1 pork tenderloin - 1 1/2 to 2 pounds
• 1 jalapeno - cored and seeded chopped
• 2 cloves garlic - minced or crushed
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 orange

Serving

• 1 red pepper
• 1 green pepper
• 1 onion - large
• sour cream - tortillas, etc
• 1 lime

Instructions

• Heat 2 T vegetable oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
• Start with about 1 1/2 to 2 pounds of pork tenderloin. I used one large but two smaller ones would be okay. Just a few more leftovers. Rinse and pat dry. Remove silverskin and extra fat. Cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes.
• Mince one jalapeno without seeds and two cloves of garlic.
• Mixed pork, the jalapeno, the garlic, one t kosher salt, 1/2 t pepper, one t cumin, and one t paprika. Mix well until pork is covered.
• Saute the pork over medium-high heat until well browned. About 10 minutes.
• When pork is browned well, remove from heat. Add 1 1/2 cup chicken broth along with the 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).
• Place covered in a 325-degree oven (no need to preheat) for 2 hours undisturbed.
• After 2 hours, increase oven temperature to 425 degrees and remove the lid. Cook another 20 minutes or so until all fluid is gone.
• While the carnitas are finishing in the oven, cut up one green pepper, one red pepper, and one large onion and saute with two t oil over medium-high heat until tender and browning.
• 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.
• Serve on tortillas.

Recipe Notes

Nutritional information is for meat only and does not include tortillas or other serving options.

Nutrition Facts

Healthier Pork Carnitas with Pork Tenderloin

Amount Per Serving

Calories 265 Calories from Fat 54

% Daily Value*

Fat 6g9%

Saturated Fat 2g10%

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 3g

Cholesterol 112mg37%

Sodium 904mg38%

Potassium 881mg25%

Carbohydrates 14g5%

Fiber 4g16%

Sugar 7g8%

Protein 37g74%

Vitamin A 1350IU27%

Vitamin C 152.6mg185%

Calcium 50mg5%

Iron 2.9mg16%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Have a question or something not clear? Ask in the comments.

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Nutrition is for one serving. Number of servings is stated above and is my estimate of normal serving size for this recipe.

All nutritional information are estimates and may vary from your actual results. This is home cooking, and there are many variables. To taste ingredients such as salt will be my estimate of the average used.

If you like this recipe or find it useful, the pleasure of a nice 4 or 5 rating would be greatly appreciated.