Name: Pork Carnitas Seasoning Mix
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 Tbsp Salt; 1 Tbsp Ground Cumin; 2 ½ tsp Dried Oregano; 1 tsp dried basil; 1 tsp chili powder; 1 ½ tsp paprika; 2 ½ tsp light brown sugar

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The best Pork Carnitas Seasoning Mix combines savory, sweet, and heat. You can make this dry rub recipe utilizing easy-to-find ingredients.

PORK CARNITAS SEASONING MIX RECIPE

I’m going to let you in on a little secret. There are two types of people in this world, those that know about dry rubs and seasoning meat before cooking, and those that don’t. For so long, I fell into that latter category. I would get a piece of meat, cook it up, and then try to make it taste like a restaurant by shaking some salt and pepper above it. Guess what? That doesn’t work. If you want to perfectly season meat, then you should be using a dry rub. As the juices start to escape meat during cooking, the dry rub will act as a sealant, keeping the meat moist. And if you are grilling, or broiling the seasoning will provide a nice, slightly crispy caramelized layer. When I had my “Welcome To Oz” moment the first time I head real pork carnitas, it was at that time I realized it was time to transition into the first group of people, the group that knows about dry rubs and seasonings.

Dry rubs don’t have to be overly complicated. They are supposed to enhance the flavor of the meats, not mask them. This Pork Carnitas Seasoning Mix recipe is no different, it brings out the flavors of the pork. It will also cut down on your need to slather on some bottle of sauce or stack of condiments right before consumption. This seasoning is perfect for Instant Pot Pork Carnitas!

For those of you in the first group of people, sorry it took me so long to get here. For those of you who are now making your way into this first group, I welcome you with open arms.

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WHAT IS PORK CARNITAS SEASONING?

Putting a dry rub on meats is the best way to evenly add flavor when cooking. Carnitas rub is no different in that aspect. Pork Carnitas gets most of its flavoring from brown sugar, chili powder, and cumin. The brown sugar not only helps balance out the flavors but also caramelizes during the broiling process of the Instant Pot Pork Carnitas recipe.

WHAT DOES THIS CARNITAS SEASONING RECIPE TASTE LIKE?

The pork carnitas seasoning mix is meant to go on a hunk of meat as a dry rub before cooking. It is not meant for consumption on its own. If you were to sample the carnitas spice blend, you’d get strong notes of chili powder, basil, cumin, and followed by a sweetness of brown sugar. However, when you cook it up with some juicy pork, the flavors will all blend giving slightly sweet, smoky heat for your carnitas.

PORK CARNITAS SEASONING MIX INGREDIENTS

Salt – 1 Tablespoon
Ground Cumin – 1 Tablespoon

Dried Oregano – 2 1/2 teaspoons
Dried Basil – 1 teaspoon
Chili Powder – 1 teaspoon

Paprika – 1 1/2 teaspoons
Light Brown Sugar – 2 1/2 teaspoons

HOW TO MAKE THIS CARNITAS SEASONING MIX RECIPE

Five minutes stands in between you and the best seasoning for carnitas, and you can’t find it in a store. This recipe will make enough for you to generously seasoning the meat before making Instant Pot Pork Carnitas or another recipe that requires a dry rub. Get your bowl, get your measuring spoons, and let’s get mixing.

In a bowl, using a small whisk or fork, combine all ingredients and mix until evenly blended.
The dry rub is now ready to use or can be sealed in an airtight container for future use.

CAN YOU MAKE PORK CARNITAS SEASONING AHEAD OF TIME?

You can make this ahead of time. I usually make a double batch so I can use half immediately, and save half in a sealed jar for future recipes.

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CAN YOU FREEZE CARNITAS SEASONING?

Yes, you can freeze this carnitas dry rub, however, it’s not necessary. Simply store this in an airtight container or sealable bag. If the brown sugar clumps up during storage, just put the mix in a bowl, cover with a damp paper towel, and microwave it for 10 seconds to soften it.