Grilled Carnitas

Yield: about 12 servings

• 4 lbs Boston butt pork shoulder, diced into 2” chunks
• 1/2 cup lard
• 1/4 cup Cattleman’s Grill Mexicano Seasoning
• 2 tbsp Flavolcano Smoky Red Pepper Hot Sauce
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 yellow onion, sliced thin
• 6 cloves garlic, crushed
• juice of 2 oranges
• 4 cups vegetable stock

• 12 small tortillas
• Mexican Crema (or sour cream)
• Queso fresco

• 1/2 cup tomato, small dice
• 1/2 cup yellow onion, small dice
• 1/2 cup jalapeño, minced
• 1/4 cup cilantro, minced
• 2-3 tbsp lime juice
• Jacobsen Salt Co. Black Garlic Salt, to taste

Preheat your Yoder Smokers YS640 Pellet Grill to 425ºF.

Combine all carnitas ingredients, except the vegetable stock, in a Lodge Logic 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven. Mix ingredients by hand. Add just enough vegetable stock to almost cover the ingredients (3 cups).

Place the dutch oven in the cooker, uncovered. Cook until the pork is tender enough to shred, about 3 hours.

To make the Pico de Gallo, combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Check on the pork occasionally. If/when the liquid level gets low add more vegetable stock, one cup at a time. You don’t want the liquid to cook out completely, or the bottom will scorch. However, allowing the pork to be exposed on top will nicely brown the meat.

You might also enjoy: Carne Asada Burrito

When the pork is tender, remove from the grill.

Crisp the carnitas in their own fat and juices in a Lodge 10” Cast Iron Skillet. Place the Grilled Carnitas in tortillas with Pico de Gallo, queso fresco and crema.