Hard

Campfire Carnitas

Name: Campfire Carnitas
Prep time: 26 min
Cook time: 101 min
Total time: 127 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 4 pounds pork shoulder; 4 teaspoons kosher salt; 1 teaspoon ground black pepper; 0.5 teaspoons oregano; 1 white onion; 1 chili pepper; 6 garlics cloves

Total Time

2h 7m

26m prep · 101m cook

Servings

4 people

Rating

—

Difficulty

Hard

2 views

🌾 Gluten-Free 🥛 Dairy-Free 🥜 Nut-Free

Chef John's campfire carnitas require some tending and attention while they slow cook in a campfire or in a charcoal grill, but you will be rewarded with the most succulent, tender pork imaginable. Campfire-friendly ways to serve include on tortilla chips, in a bun, or as nachos.

Gluten-Free Nut-Free Fried asian korean spicy savory european greek middle eastern region plant_based vietnamese italian main processed_meat

Ingredients

4 pounds pork shoulder
4 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
0.5 teaspoons oregano
1 white onion
1 chili pepper
6 garlics cloves

Instructions

1

Cut pork into 2-inch pieces. Stack 2 (7x10x3-inch) disposable foil baking pans and transfer in the pork. Season with salt, pepper, and oregano, and toss with your hands until everything is evenly coated.
2

Cover the pan with a sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil, and crimp tightly around the edges. Place on top of another large sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil, and then wrap the foil up over the pan. All seams should be rolled facing up. Repeat with 2 more sheets of aluminum foil.
3

Place pan next to a campfire, or in a charcoal grill, and arrange the burning coals evenly around the pan. Wrap a sheet pan in foil, place over the pan, and arrange some charcoal on top.
4

Use a probe or laser thermometer to check the temperature on the surface of the bottom pan, as well as the ambient temperature next to the pan. Try to maintain a constant temperature of between 250 to 300 degrees F (120 to 150 degrees C). To do this, move charcoal further away or closer to the pan as needed. If cooking next to a campfire and the pan is getting more heat from one direction than the other, rotate the pan occasionally. Cook until falling-apart tender, 4 to 5 hours.
5

Remove pan from the fire, and let rest for up to 1 hour, or serve immediately. Carefully cut foil away and peel back. Serve made into tacos, nachos, or enjoyed in hot dog or hamburger buns.