Carnitas Seasoning – Foodie and Wine

Elevate your pork carnitas recipe by using a homemade carnitas seasoning recipe. Infused with a classic blend of herbs and spices, this dry rub mix will become your go-to seasoning every time you whip up a batch of Mexican carnitas for tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and more. You’ll never use a grocery store spice mix again.

Carnitas Seasoning

This unique homemade seasoning blend churns out the authentic Mexican flavor you’re looking for when making Carnitas or Instant Pot Carnitas (also called Carnitas de Puerco, meaning little meats). As pork shoulder doesn’t have a strong flavor it’s key to use the right seasoning; this simple rub, made with dried herbs, is a great way to create iconic Mexican Recipes.

Here are the key ingredients required to mix up a batch of carnitas seasoning.

• Coriander – omit if you’re not a fan of cilantro.
• Chili Powder – use ancho chili powder or chipotle chili powder to add a smokey flavor.
• Mexican Oregano – you can swap in regular oregano if you don’t have Mexican oregano.
• Kosher Salt – I recommend using kosher salt to really infuse the flavor of the meat when marinating.
• Cumin
• Garlic Powder
• Onion Powder
• Black Pepper

TIP – Signature carnitas usually have a blend of citrus juice when cooking. If you want to add that citrusy flavor, when using this as a dry brine, just add some dried lime peel and/or dried orange peel. Most folks don’t keep those ingredients on hand so I omitted it from this blend.

Dry Brine

This robust seasonings rub is perfect to use as a dry brine due to the use of kosher salt. Just rub it all over the pork butt and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. 

Carnitas Marinade

This carnitas seasonings recipe can also be used as a carnitas marinade. To make, combine 2 tablespoons of seasoning, 1/4 cup of vegetable oil, lime juice from one lime and the juice from one orange. You’ll end up with the best pork carnitas! 

How Much To Use

This mix makes just shy of 1/4 cup of seasoning, which is the perfect amount for a pork roast up to 3 pounds.

Recipe Tips and Variations

• Like it Spicy?  Throw in some red pepper flakes if you like a little heat. Start with 1 tsp and work your way up from there.
• Garlic Obsessed? This homemade rub can handle a double hit of garlic powder.
• Adjust the amount of salt to suite your taste preferences.
• Marinate the meat for at least an hour to ensure maximum flavor absorption.
• Reference my popular pork temperature chart when cooking. It’s free to download.
• Store the carnitas seasoning in an airtight container, in a dry place, for up to 6 months.

Uses

This dry rub for pork is versatile and will enhance the flavors of the meat, but it doesn’t stop there; it can be repurposed for non-pork recipes as well. It really is an “all around” rub for any Mexican dish.

Here are some other uses for carnitas seasoning:

• Chicken Seasoning – Rub onto chicken before roasting, grilling, or pan-searing.
• Soup Enhancer – Stir into soups or stews to give them a deeper flavor profile.
• Vegetables – Sprinkle over vegetables before cooking.
• Hamburger Seasoning – Mix into ground beef before forming into patties for flavorful burgers.
• Mulitas – use the cooked carnitas to make mulitas and Torta Ahogada. 

Here’s a cool comic style article on the history of the carnitas taco by the LA Times. It’s a fun read if you’re into that kind of thing.

More Seasoning Mix Recipes

Here are a few more spice blend recipes to check mix up for your next meal:

Carne Asada Seasoning
Texas Roadhouse Steak Seasoning
Creole Seasoning
Prime Rib Rub

Carnitas Seasoning

Elevate your pork carnitas recipe by using a homemade carnitas seasoning, infused with a classic blend of herbs and spices.

Notes

Note 1 – To use as a carnitas marinade, combine 2 tablespoons of seasoning, 1/4 cup of vegetable oil, lime juice from one lime and the juice from one orange. 

Nutrition

Calories: 55kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2464mg | Potassium: 287mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 2444IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 93mg | Iron: 4mg