This flavorful Carnitas Seasoning recipe is perfect for pork and chicken! Make your own carnitas spice mix with ingredients from your pantry.
If there is a seasoning blend that you use often, make a batch of it ahead of time to store in your spice rack. Then, it’s ready when you need it! This carnitas seasoning is easy to make and adds so much flavor to your pork and chicken.
How To Make Carnitas Seasoning
Seasoning Ingredients
Put the chili powder, dried oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, ground cumin, kosher salt, coarse ground black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, orange juice powder (I used four packets of True Orange), and lime juice powder (I used four packets of True Lime) in a small bowl. Stir the seasonings together.
Funnel and Jar
Use a funnel to transfer the seasoning to a spice jar.
Printable Label
Add a printable carnitas seasoning label. Store the jar in a cool, dry place for up to six months, or for as long as the shortest expiration date of the spices you add.
Recipe Tips
- Pork: Rub four tablespoons of carnitas seasoning on four pounds of pork. Place it in a crockpot and add one cup of orange juice (or water). Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 6-7 hours. Place the meat on a rimmed baking sheet, shred with two forks, and brown under the broiler for 2-3 minutes. If you want to add more ingredients such as onions and peppers, see my slow cooker carnitas recipe.
- Chicken: To make chicken carnitas marinade, combine 3 tablespoons of carnitas seasoning, 1/4 cup of orange juice, 1/4 cup of vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons of lime juice, and 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Marinate 1 1/2 pounds of chicken breasts for 30 minutes before cooking them.
- Storage: Store the carnitas seasoning in a cool, dry place for up to two months.
More Homemade Seasonings
Carnitas Seasoning
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ tablespoon chili powder
- 1 ½ tablespoon dried oregano
- 3 teaspoons onion powder
- 3 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 teaspoons ground cumin
- 3 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 ½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon orange juice powder four packets of True Orange
- 1 teaspoon lime juice powder four packets of True Lime
Instructions
- Put all of the seasonings in a small bowl and stir to combine.
- Use a funnel to transfer the seasoning to a spice jar. Add a label to the jar.
- Store the jar in a cool, dry place for up to six months, or for as long as the shortest expiration date of the spices you add.
