Copycat Chipotle Pork Carnitas

Chipotle Pork Carnitas is one of the most-loved meat choices at Chipotle. Did you know you can recreate this recipe at home? Their version of pork carnitas slow bake in the oven for effortless cooking!

Copycat Chipotle carnitas in tacos.


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Chipotle carnitas

Everybody loves going to Chipotle for Tex-Mex food, either to sit there and eat or to get takeaway. Depending on where you live, if you are taking a long drive, you can usually find a Chipotle when you get hungry.

No matter how many times I have been to Chipotle, I almost always get the same thing – Chipotle Carnitas.

While the Chipotle Pork Carnitas may not be in the traditional style of pork carnitas, they are still extremely delicious to make. Traditional carnitas is slow-roasted then fried just before being finished.

You can enjoy this savory and tender pork on tacos, burrito bowls, and on top of salads.

What is carnitas?

Carnitas is literally translated as “little meats.” It’s a dish that originated in the Mexican state of Michoacán.

Carnitas are traditionally made by simmering or braising pork in oil (or preferably lard) until tender. Traditional Carnitas are prepared with citrus juice (commonly orange juice).

What’s special about Chipotle carnitas?

Chipotle makes Carnitas with an earthy, savory spice mix that includes thyme, bay leaves, salt, and cracked black pepper. However, the one thing that really makes Chipotle Carnitas stand out and special is the addition of juniper berries.

Chipotle’s website tells you that they use pork from responsibly-raised animals. The pork is braised and shredded by hand throughout the day, resulting in juicy, tender meat with a wonderfully concentrated flavor – porktastic!

Ingredients

Here’s a list of what you need:

  • Pork roast
  • Sunflower oil
  • Thyme
  • Juniper berries
  • Salt
  • Ground black pepper
  • Bay leaves
Copycat Chipotle carnitas ingredients on a wood board.

Juniper berries give a unique flavor to carnitas

A juniper berry is not a true berry. It’s actually the female seed cone produced by the various species of juniper trees. The cone has merged, fleshy scales, which makes it look like a berry.

In fact, juniper berries may be the only spice derived from a conifer. The berries impart a distinctive flavor to food and are also used to flavor gin.

Juniper berries have a complex flavor of citrus and pine. Never fear, most grocery stores, spice stores, and Amazon have juniper berries.

What cut of pork can you use for Chipotle pork carnitas?

It’s best to use either pork shoulder roast or pork butt roast. You can read about these cuts of meat. If your roast has a bone, this is not a problem because the pork will be so very tender at the end of the cooking time that it will literally just fall off.

However, if you really would like boneless but can’t find it, you can get it deboned at the butcher counter. They can also cut you whatever size piece you want. So if you find an 8-pound roast, feel free to ask them to de-bone it and just give you 4 pounds.

How to make pork carnitas like Chipotle

  1. You will want to first pat the meat with some paper towels to remove any excess moisture.
  2. Then add some sunflower oil to a pan, and begin to heat up the pan. While the pan is heating up, season the pork with salt and pepper.
  3. You will want to brown the meat on all sides, this locks in flavor, and the mallard (the browned meat) reaction gives the pork a wonderful flavor.
  4. Next comes the slow roasting – cook it in your slow cooker or the oven, it’s up to you. You will simply add in the remaining ingredients and wait patiently until the pork has cooked to perfection.
Cooked pork carnitas meat in a Dutch oven.
  1. Allow the cooked meat to rest uncovered for 20 minutes after removing it from the oven.
  2. Use forks to shred the meat.
Four tacos with copycat Chipotle carnitas.

Make Chipotle Mexican Grill carnitas at home

Chipotle Carnitas are easy to make right in your slow cooker. Your Chipotle Carnitas will be the star every time, and you can have fun keeping people guessing where that unusual but delicious taste is coming from.

Make some tacos and a salad to go with your carnitas. They’re also great for enchiladas and nachos.

Or, create a lovely burrito bowl with layers of rice, homemade pico de gallo, and your favorite toppings for a delicious meal.

Copycat Chipotle pork carnitas in tacos.

Love Chipotle Mexican Grill? Try these copycat recipes!

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Check out more of my easy Mexican food recipes and the best copycat fast food recipes here on CopyKat!

Copycat Chipotle carnitas in tacos.

Chipotle Pork Carnitas

Make copycat Chipotle Mexican Grill Carnitas just like they do with this easy copycat recipe. 
5 from 7 votes
Print Pin Rate Add to Collection
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: How to make chipotle carnitas, Pork Carnitas, Pork Roast
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 223kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds pork roast
  • 2 tablespoons sunflower oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon thyme
  • 2 teaspoons juniper berries
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 or 3 bay leaves

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees. 
  • Over medium heat add sunflower oil to a dutch oven. Season roast with salt. When the oil is hot saute roast on all sides for about 3 minutes on each side. 
  • This will brown the roast a bit. Add water, bay leaves, thyme, juniper berries, and ground black pepper to the Dutch Oven. 
  • Place lid on the pan and cook for 3 to 4 hours in the oven. Turn roast over in the pot every hour or so. Turning the roast will ensure the flavors go through the roast. 
  • Remove roast from oven. Allow resting for about 20 minutes. Then pull the meat apart with two folks.   

Slow Cooker Directions

  • Add sunflower oil to a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.  Season roast with salt. When the oil is hot saute roast on all sides for about 3 minutes on each side.
  • Place meat into a slow cooker.  Add water, bay leaves, thyme, juniper berries, and ground black pepper to the slow cooker. 
  • Place lid on the pan and cook for 3 to 4 hours on medium heat.  Turn roast over in the slow cooker every hour or so. Turning the roast will ensure the flavors go through the roast. 

Notes

  • I do not recommend using a pressure cooker for this recipe, the slow roasting gives the meat a better flavor.
  • Be sure to pick a cut of pork that has marbling, you can always trim the fat after cooking.
  • Juniper berries may be omitted, but the flavor won’t be quite the same.
  • Want to make this recipe more Keto friendly?  Use avocado oil. 

Nutrition

Calories: 223kcal | Carbohydrates: 0g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 268mg | Potassium: 565mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 0g | Vitamin A: 10IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.8mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. fireboy and watergirl

    5 stars
    This is a great little post with some valuable tips. I totally agree this is one of my favorite items at Chipotle.

  2. JEANETTE LALOR

    I HAVE NOT MADE THIS YET, BUT WILL!! i just wanted to tell you how beautiful you look in your new photo. happy easter. with love and pride for YOU, jeanette

5 from 7 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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