Smoked Carnitas & Roasted Tomatillo Salsa Save this one — smoky, citrusy, crispy carnitas with a spicy salsa that hits just right. Perfect for Cinco de Mayo! 🇲🇽 Ingredients: For the Carnitas: * 4–5 lb pork shoulder, cut into 3–4” chunks * Bear & Burtons Fireshire as a binder * 2 tbsp kosher salt * 1/2 tbsp black pepper * 1 tbsp cumin * 1 tbsp garlic powder * 1 tbsp smoked paprika * 1 tbsp chili powder * 1 tsp Mexican oregano * 1/2 tsp cinnamon * Optional: 1 tbsp Blazing Star Pork’N rub * 4 cloves garlic, smashed * 1 white onion, quartered * 1 cup fresh orange juice * 1 bottle (12 oz) Mexican Coca-Cola * 1 cup chicken broth * 2 bay leaves * Lard or oil for crisping * Diced white onion for serving * Chopped cilantro for serving * Limes wedges for serving For the Roasted Tomatillo Salsa: * 4–5 tomatillos, husked * 1 poblano pepper * 2 serrano peppers * 1 white onion * 4 garlic cloves * 1/2 cup fresh cilantro * 1 tbsp olive oil * Juice of 3 limes * Salt & Pepper ⸻ Instructions: 1. Prep & Season: Mix all dry spices (including Blazing Star Pork’N if using). Apply binder and coat pork chunks evenly and set aside. 2. Smoke: Place seasoned pork on the smoker at 250°F (apple or pecan wood recommended). Smoke until internal temp reaches 160–165°F — about 3 hours. 3. Make the Salsa: Roast tomatillos, poblano, serranos, onion, and garlic until blistered and slightly charred. Let cool. Blend with cilantro, olive oil, and lime juice until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to serve. 4. Braise the Pork: Move smoked pork to a Dutch oven with garlic, onion, orange juice, Mexican Coke, chicken broth, and bay leaves. Cover and braise at 275°F until the pork is fall-apart tender (195–205°F), about 2–3 more hours. 5. Shred & Crisp: Remove pork from liquid, shred, and crisp in a skillet with lard or under the broiler. Spoon a little of the braising liquid over the pork to keep it juicy. 6. Serve: Top with chilled tomatillo salsa, chopped onion, cilantro, and lime juice. #tacos #tacotonguetuesday #carnitas #cincodemayo #carnitastacos #kamadojoe #smokenvine #bbq #bbqnation #mexicanfood #taco #homemade #homecooking #delicious #smokedcarnitas #bbqfood #yum #cocacola #tacolovers