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.
๐Ingredients
Pork tenderloin
Jalapeno
Aromaticsโonion and garlic
Vegetablesโbell peppers and onion
Fruitsโorange and lime
Pantry ingredientsโchicken broth, vegetable oil, cumin, paprika, kosher salt, black pepper
Tortillas and toppingsโfor serving
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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 vegetablesโso wonderful.
These carnitas will fit a healthy diet like a low-calorie or low-fat diet or even a low-carb keto diet.
๐จโ๐ณHow to Make Pork Tenderloin Carnitas
Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Start with about 1 ยฝ to 2 pounds of pork tenderloin. I used one large, but two smaller ones would be okayโjust a few more leftovers. Rinse and pat dry. Remove silverskin and extra fat. Cut into 1 ยฝ inch cubes.
Mince 1 jalapeno without seeds and 2 cloves of garlic.
Mixed pork, jalapeno, garlic, salt, pepper, cumin, and paprika. Mix well until the pork is covered.
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.
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).
Place covered in a 325ยฐ oven (no need to preheat) for 2 hours undisturbed.
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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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.
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.
โ๏ธTips 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 vegetablesโyou 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.
๐ฝ๏ธStorage 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
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.
This recipe is listed in these categories. See them for more similar recipes.
Have you tried this recipe, or have a question? Join the community discussion in the comments.
๐The Recipe Card with Step-by-Step Instructions
Pork Tenderloin Carnitas
Ingredients
- 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.
- Start with about 1 ยฝ to 2 pounds of pork tenderloin. I used one large, but two smaller ones would be okayโjust a few more leftovers. Rinse and pat dry. Remove silverskin and extra fat. Cut into 1 ยฝ inch cubes.
- Mince 1 jalapeno without seeds and 2 cloves of garlic.
- Mixed pork, jalapeno, garlic, salt, pepper, cumin, and paprika. Mix well until the pork is covered.
- 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.
- 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).
- Place covered in a 325ยฐ oven (no need to preheat) for 2 hours undisturbed.
- After 2 hours, increase the oven temperature to 425ยฐ 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 2 teaspoons 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.
- Make pork carnitas tacos with tortillas with toppings of your choice. Or use in many other dishes.
Recipe Notes
Pro Tips
- Remember that pork tenderloin is not a pork loin.
- I suggest a good porcelain-coated Dutch oven or you may well ruin your pan.
- Vary the spices as you want.
- Good refrigerated or 3-4 days. You can freeze the meat for a 3 months
- Nutritional information is for meat, seasoning, and vegetables but does not include tortillas or other serving options.
Your Own Private Notes
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)
Originally Published July 7, 2013. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.
Kandy McDonald says
Can I use a different kind of pan? I really don't want to purchase another, porcelain coated. I have too many pans already.
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says
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
Jane says
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!!
DrDan says
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
Debbie and Emily says
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!!!!
DrDan says
I love carnitas and this way I allow myself that more often.
Thanks so much for the note.
Dan
Megan says
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!
James Dunn says
Nice. Really works for me. Yum!
DrDan says
Thanks for the comment, I really REALLY like this one and its very healthy.
DrDan
Tiago says
Can you convert this to a slow cooker recipe?
DrDan says
No, not a good conversion. You all the browning that is most of the flavor. You can't get that in a crockpot.