Gluten-Free Carnitas in Corn Tortillas

Tender, savory carnitas are slow-cooked to perfection, then crisped for irresistible texture. Served nestled in warm, pliable corn tortillas, this dish is a fiesta of authentic flavors.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 130 min Total: 145 min Serves: 4

At a glance: This easy dinner recipe yields 4 servings in about 2h 25m (15 min prep, 130 min cook). It uses 10 ingredients — including pork shoulder, orange, gluten-free chicken or vegetable stock — and walks through 5 steps. Updated October 24, 2026. Browse more dinner recipes or return to all gluten-free recipes.

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Cross-Contamination Warning for Gluten-Free Carnitas in Corn Tortillas: When preparing this dinner recipe, ensure all packaged ingredients, especially gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos and stock, are gluten-free. Be mindful of shared cooking surfaces and utensils that may have come into contact with gluten. In a shared kitchen, avoid porous materials — wooden spoons, wooden cutting boards, and scratched non-stick pans can harbor gluten proteins even after washing. Prefer glass, metal, or silicone tools. Stock often contains yeast extract or barley derivatives; use only gluten-free stock.

Gluten-Free Notes for Gluten-Free Carnitas in Corn Tortillas: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, relying on corn tortillas and gluten-free liquids. It avoids all gluten-containing grains.

Scale Recipe:

servings

Ingredient amounts update automatically

Instructions

1 Place the pork shoulder chunks into a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven. Squeeze the juice from both halves of the orange over the pork, then add the squeezed orange halves to the pot. Pour in the gluten-free chicken or vegetable stock and gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos. Sprinkle the dried oregano, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper evenly over the pork.
2 Bring the liquid to a simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot tightly and let the pork braise gently for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, turning the pieces once or twice and adding a splash of water if the pot looks dry, until the pork is fork-tender and shreds easily. The aroma should be rich and savory.
3 Carefully remove the pork from the pot using a slotted spoon and place it onto a baking sheet. Discard the orange halves and strain the cooking liquid, reserving about 1/2 cup of the flavorful broth. Shred the pork using two forks, ensuring no large pieces remain.
4 Heat the lard or vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the shredded pork to the hot skillet in a single layer, trying not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the edges of the carnitas are golden brown and delightfully crispy. You'll hear a satisfying sizzle as they cook.
5 While the carnitas are crisping, gently warm the corn tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until pliable. Drizzle about 1/4 cup of the reserved cooking liquid over the crispy carnitas in the skillet and toss to coat, adding more if desired for extra moisture. Serve the hot, crispy carnitas immediately in the warmed corn tortillas, garnished with your favorite toppings.

Nutrition (per serving)

492

Calories

36g

Protein

50g

Carbs

26g

Fat

Fiber

508mg

Sodium

Tips & Notes

Braise until the pork shreds easily with a fork. Two-inch chunks of pork shoulder usually take 1.5-2 hours.
Crisp the shredded pork in batches and leave it undisturbed for a few minutes so the edges brown.
Use corn tortillas labeled gluten-free. Some corn tortillas include other flours.

Common questions

What cross-contamination risk is specific to Gluten-Free Carnitas in Corn Tortillas?

Check pork shoulder , cut into 2-inch chunks, orange, halved, gluten-free chicken or vegetable stock before they go into Gluten-Free Carnitas in Corn Tortillas. Ensure all packaged ingredients, especially gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos and stock, are gluten-free. Be mindful of shared cooking surfaces and utensils that may have come into contact with gluten. In a shared kitchen, avoid porous materials — wooden spoons, wooden cutting boards, and scratched non-stick pans can harbor gluten proteins even after washing. Prefer glass, metal, or silicone tools. Stock often contains yeast extract or barley derivatives; use only gluten-free stock.

Which gluten-free swaps does Gluten-Free Carnitas in Corn Tortillas use?

Gluten-Free Carnitas in Corn Tortillas relies on 2 tbsp gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos. Keep those gluten-free-labeled products in place of a gluten-containing flour or sauce.

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