Skip to main content

Beer-Braised Carnitas

4.6

(18)

Image may contain Food Bread Pancake and Tortilla
Beer-Braised CarnitasChristina Holmes

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    2 hours

  • Yield

    Makes 6 cups

Ingredients

2 dried New Mexico or guajillo chiles
4 pounds skinless, boneless pork shoulder (Boston butt), cut into 2" pieces
12 ounce lager (such as Modelo Especial or Budweiser)
4 garlic cloves, lightly crushed
4 teaspoons kosher salt

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Toast chiles in a dry large heavy pot over medium heat until slightly puffed and lightly darkened on both sides, about 2 minutes. Remove from pot; let cool. Stem chiles and halve lengthwise; discard seeds.

    Step 2

    Bring chiles, pork, beer, garlic, salt, and 1 cup water to a boil in same pot. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until pork is fork-tender, 60-80 minutes.

    Step 3

    Uncover pork; simmer until liquid evaporates and pork begins to brown, 20-25 minutes. Continue to cook, stirring frequently and scraping bottom of pot, until pork is shredded and browned, 10-15 minutes.

    Step 4

    Add 1 cup water to pork; cook, scraping up browned bits from bottom of pot, for about 1 minute. DO AHEAD: Carnitas can be made 3 days ahead. Let cool. Cover and chill. Reheat with 1/2 cup water in a covered pot, adding more water if needed to keep pork moist.

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

Read More
Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.
With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.
With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.
Easy lemon icebox pie recipe with a graham cracker crust and whipped cream topping.
Crunchy and crowd-pleasing, this salad can be prepared in advance and customized to your heart’s content.
This fast stir-fry dish pairs minced pork and fragrant basil with hot Thai chiles and a crispy fried egg.
Juicy steak, crisp lettuce, and a blender dressing come together for a breezy summer dinner.
Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.