Carnitas

Makes about 10 burritos.

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 5 lbs pork shoulder, 2" cubes
• 1 12-oz package bacon, 2" pieces
• 1 Tbsp black pepper
• 2 tsp cumin
• 2 tsp dried chile de árbol, chopped
  • or dried red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 dried bay leaf
• 4 C+ water

Instructions

1. Prep. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. In large pot over medium, add oil and heat until shimmering. Add pork shoulder and bacon until browned and bacon is starting to render its fat.
3. Add pepper, cumin, chile, oregano, salt, bay leaf, water (about half way up the pork). Bring to a boil. Place, uncovered, in oven.
4. Cook, turning every 30 min, until tender and shreds easily (2 hr).
5. Remove and transfer meat to cutting board, discard bacon. Let cool and chop roughly.
   1. (Optional) Pause here if making ahead.
6. Preheat cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Add some pork, press down with a spatula, until browned and crisp. Transfer to large bowl, repeat with remaining pork.

Sources

• Trejo's Tacos by Danny Trejo, p. 84