After 11 years in the NFL, our November 2022 Featured Chef Jared Veldheer is now the “Lunch Dad” at his children’s school in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As a professional offensive lineman who had to maintain a weight of 330 pounds while being as fit and healthy as possible, Jared discovered the importance of high-quality, nutrient-dense food. Grass-fed-and-finished and pasture-raised meats provide the sweet spot for building lean muscle, increasing longevity, and maximizing energy. It’s been a joy for Jared to apply his learned healthy eating habits to the school cafeteria. Middle schoolers enjoy nourishing, brain-boosting foods. How many pounds of US Wellness Pork Shoulder Roast does it take to feed them? Check out Jared’s setup with 50 pounds of meat!
In this recipe, Jared uses pork shoulder roast, beef tallow, citrus juices, and seasonings for these carnitas. Set your oven at 300°F and prepare to dine!
Pork Shoulder Carnitas
Recipe by Jared Veldheer | @jaredv68
US Wellness Shopping List: 1-2 Pasture-Raised Pork Shoulder Roasts
Ingredients:
- 4-5 lb Pasture-Raised Pork Shoulder
- 2 tablespoons Beef Tallow
- 1 cup hand-squeezed orange juice (save spent orange peels)
- 1/4 cup hand-squeezed lime juice
- 1 onion quartered
- 8 cloves garlic (roughly chopped)
- 2 tablespoon oregano
- 2 tablespoon cumin
- 3 tablespoons salt
- 2 teaspoons pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 300°F.
- Cut pork shoulder into 2-inch cubes and season with salt and pepper.
- Add 2 tablespoons of beef tallow to dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add pork shoulder cubes and brown on all sides.
- Once the pork is browned, add garlic, onion, orange juice, lime juice, oregano, and cumin and stir.
- Bring the dutch oven to a simmer and add 2 whole orange peels.
- Put the lid on the dutch oven and transfer to the oven, cooking for 3 hours or until pork is fork tender.
- Once tender, remove the pork from the dutch oven and transfer the pieces to a baking sheet.
- Set oven to broil and place pork back in the oven for 2-3 minutes to crisp the pork.
- Serve in tacos or on its own with a side of rice and beans.
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