Carnitas Recipe With Orange Juice: 6 Amazing Health Benefits

Carnitas recipe with orange juice is a great way to make tacos a bit more unique and flavorful. It’s a recipe that’s easy to make, but still provides that delicious flavor of carnitas. This is a wonderful dish.

This recipe can easily be doubled, tripled or even quadrupled depending on how many people you’re cooking for. To make this recipe easier and healthier, we recommend using lean pork rather than fatty cuts.

This recipe is for a traditional carnitas recipe, but adding orange juice does not eliminate the need to marinate overnight. The carnitas can still be served with grilled vegetables or beans and rice.

In a small mixing bowl, combine the salt and orange juice. Place several pieces of pork in the mixture and massage well to cover with the liquid. Cover with plastic wrap and set in the fridge for 30 minutes to overnight.

There are many benefits of using orange juice as a marinade for pork. Orange juice does not contain as much sugar as apple or pineapple juice. This helps keep the meat tender and prevent it from drying out.

Carnitas Recipe With Orange Juice
Carnitas Recipe With Orange Juice

While the pork is marinating, heat a large pot on medium heat. Add the oil and once it begins to smoke, add the pork chunks. Cook until golden brown, then flip to cook on the other side.

How To Make Carnitas Recipe With Orange Juice?

Prepare time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs. of pork spare ribs
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

Step 1. Preheat oven to 300 F.

Step 2. Place the pork pieces in a bowl with the marinade and rub it into the pork. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight in the fridge.

Step 3. Place a large skillet over medium heat and add oil of choice. Add the chunks of meat and cook until golden brown, flip to cook on other side and repeat. Drain off some of the grease when flipping.

Step 4. Place the meat in the oven for about 45 minutes or until tender.

Nutrition Facts Of Carnitas Recipe With Orange Juice

  • Calories: 366 kcal
  • Fat: 14.8 g
  • Protein: 38.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 0.1 g
  • Cholesterol: 61 mg
  • Sodium: 383 mg

6 Amazing Health Benefits Of Carnitas Recipe With Orange Juice

1. High Protein

Pork meat is a good source of protein, while this Carnitas recipe with orange juice contains 38.2 grams of protein per serving. Protein is an essential nutrient for the human body to repair tissue, make hormones and develop muscles.

2. Fights Against Cancer

There are many substances in oranges that help prevent cancer, the main one being limonene. 3 grams a day can help prevent breast cancer and prostate cancer.

3. Lowers Cholesterol

Limonene in orange juice helps reduce the level of bad cholesterol and can even prevent the absorption of it.

4. Boost Memory

Oranges contain vitamin C and folate, which are important for memory development. This nutrient is also good for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

5. Cures Headaches

Protein is a necessary nutrient that helps boost energy levels, and also helps fight stress-related headaches.

6. Helps Prevent Diabetes

Oranges are rich in fiber, which can slow down the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream. This helps keep blood sugar levels in control, which helps prevent diabetes.

Conclusion

Carnitas recipe with orange juice will help make your favorite tacos even more delicious. It’s also a great recipe for a party or potluck. This dish is surprisingly easy to make and maintains that savory flavor of carnitas without the grease.