Campfire Carnitas
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.
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.
Ingredients
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4 pounds boneless pork shoulder
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4 teaspoons kosher salt, or 1 teaspoon per pound of meat
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1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
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1/2 teaspoon Mexican oregano
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1 white onion, sliced
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1 Fresno chili pepper, seeded and halved, or more to taste
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6 garlic cloves, skin on
Method
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
