If you’ve never had carnitas, this is your chance to try them! These Easy Root Beer Maple Carnitas are so tender and sweet, and they’re the perfect pairing to your favorite spicy toppings, like guacomole sauce, raw onions, the list goes on and on. And it’s a definite party pleaser.
In Russia, we didn’t really eat pork all that often. I don’t know why. I think I just liked the taste of beef better. But once I moved to America I figured I’d give it a shot. And I loved it :). I mean there are pork cutlets, chops, baby back ribs, sausages, the list goes on. Then I started making my pulled pork in a similar way to these carnitas. Back then I lived closer to a Russian store, and I could get kvass. It’s a popular fermented drink in Russia, made from rye bread. A healthy version is typically homemade and tastes like kombucha, but I’m talking about a version that is carbonated and loaded with sugar and almost tastes like root beer. So, I’d cook a pork shoulder in a crockpot with kvass, then shred the meat and add my favorite BBQ sauce. And I’d totally use Kvass in this recipe if I could, but there are no Russian stores around me. So I found the closest substitute – root beer, and it came out better then ever.
Anyway, these Carnitas are amazing. The meat is so tender it falls apart and so sweet that it pairs perfectly with spicy Mexican toppings that you love, like pico de gallo, guacamole, or raw onions. (Though my son enjoyed it with nothing but shredded lettuce and crumbled Queso Fresco.)
Easy Root Beer Maple Carnitas
Enjoy these succulent carnitas with tortillas or with rice.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup cooking oil
- 3–4 lb pork shoulder, cut into 3–4 inch chunks
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1–2 chiles de arbol*
- 2 cups root beer, divided into 1 1/2 cups and 1/2 cup
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/4 Spanish onion
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Heat oil in a dutch oven. Season pork with salt and pepper, brown on all sides.
- Once all of the meat is browned, add 1 1/2 cups root beer, onion, garlic, bay leaves and chiles de arbol. Cover and cook for about 2 hours or a bit longer, when the meat starts to fall apart.
- Mix remaining root beer with maple syrup and brown sugar. Add to the pork and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Pull the meat out, shred and serve on corn or flour tortillas with your favorite fixings, or with rice.
Notes
- I bought chile de arbol on amazon but you can also find them in your store.
I am a follower of Christ, wife of a pastor, mother of a strong-willed little boy, and native of Russia. In addition to cooking and baking, I enjoy drinking coffee and relaxing on the beach.