Pork, carnitas: Calories, Macros, 22 Vitamins & 11 Minerals (USDA Per 100g)
A beloved Mexican dish, carnitas feature succulent pork slow-cooked until incredibly tender, then often crisped, resulting in a delightful combination of juicy interior and crispy edges, perfect for tacos or burritos. --- RECIPE --- Servings: 6-8 Prep Time: 15 minutes Ingredients: - 3 lbs boneless pork shoulder (Boston butt), cut into 2-inch chunks - 1 large onion, quartered - 4 cloves garlic, smashed - 1 orange, halved - 1 tbsp salt - 1 tsp black pepper - 1 cup water or chicken broth - 1/4 cup lard or vegetable oil (for crisping) Instructions: 1. 1. Place pork chunks, onion, garlic, orange halves, salt, pepper, and water/broth in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot. 2. 2. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 2.5-3 hours, or until pork is very tender and easily shredded. 3. 3. Remove pork from the pot, shred it using two forks, and discard onion, garlic, and orange. Reserve cooking liquid. 4. 4. In a large skillet, heat lard or oil over medium-high heat. Add shredded pork in batches and cook until crispy and browned, adding a splash of the reserved cooking liquid if it gets too dry.
Per 100g reference serving, Pork, carnitas provides 271 kcal of energy, 24.6g protein (37% of calories), 0g total carbohydrates (0% of calories, including 0g dietary fiber and 0g sugars), and 18.3g total fat (63% of calories).
Vitamins Profile in Pork, carnitas (Per 100g)
Track how Pork, carnitas contributes to your daily fat-soluble (Vitamins A, D, E, K), water-soluble B-complex, Vitamin C, Choline, and carotenoid antioxidant targets in Wise Eating: AI Food Tracker.
| Vitamin / Bioactive | Amount per 100g | % Daily Value (FDA DV) |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 1.2 µg | 6% DV |
| Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) | 0.91 µg | 37.9% DV |
| Vitamin A (RAE) | 2 µg | 0.2% DV |
| Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol) | 0.31 mg | 2.1% DV |
| Vitamin K (Phylloquinone) | 1 µg | 0.8% DV |
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) | 0.491 mg | 40.9% DV |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.358 mg | 27.5% DV |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 3.79 mg | 23.7% DV |
| Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) | 0.439 mg | 25.8% DV |
| Choline | 100 mg | 18.2% DV |
| Preformed Retinol | 2 µg | 0.2% DV |
Minerals & Electrolytes in Pork, carnitas (Per 100g)
Electrolyte ratios (potassium-to-sodium, calcium-to-magnesium) and trace minerals (iron, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese) determine cellular hydration, oxygen transport, and thyroid function.
| Mineral / Electrolyte | Amount per 100g | % Daily Value (FDA DV) |
|---|---|---|
| Iron (Fe) | 1.72 mg | 9.6% DV |
| Calcium (Ca) | 26 mg | 2% DV |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 23 mg | 5.5% DV |
| Potassium (K) | 299 mg | 6.4% DV |
| Zinc (Zn) | 4.74 mg | 43.1% DV |
| Selenium (Se) | 41.6 µg | 75.6% DV |
| Phosphorus (P) | 204 mg | 16.3% DV |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.126 mg | 14% DV |
| Sodium (Na) | 440 mg | 19.1% DV |
Fatty Acids, Omega-3s & Sterols (Per 100g)
| Lipid / Fatty Acid | Amount per 100g | % Reference Target |
|---|---|---|
| Omega-3 ALA (Alpha-Linolenic Acid) | 0.121 g | 7.6% DV |
| Linoleic Acid (Omega-6 PUFA) | 2.11 g | 15.1% DV |
| Monounsaturated Fat (MUFA) | 8.25 g | 27.5% DV |
| Polyunsaturated Fat (PUFA) | 2.41 g | 12.1% DV |
| Saturated Fat (SFA) | 6.59 g | 32.9% DV |
| Dietary Cholesterol | 96 mg | 32% DV |
Essential Amino Acids & BCAAs (Per 100g)
| Amino Acid | Amount per 100g | % Daily Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Trace / Not significant per 100g serving | ||
Related USDA Foods to Compare
Frequently Asked Questions
100 grams of Pork, carnitas contains 271 calories (kcal), 24.6g of protein, 0g of carbohydrates (0g fiber, 0g total sugars), and 18.3g of total fat according to the USDA Standard Reference dataset in Wise Eating.
Pork, carnitas has an estimated food pH of 5.6 and a Potential Renal Acid Load (PRAL) score of 12.4 mEq/100g, classifying it as Acid-Forming (Positive PRAL).
Allergen tags for Pork, carnitas: None of the Top 9 major allergens. In Wise Eating's WHO-aligned pediatric feeding database, the minimum age guideline is 8+ months with age-appropriate preparation.
Download Wise Eating: AI Food Tracker (App Store ID 6751406823) to log Pork, carnitas by voice, barcode, photo, or search, and automatically calculate your daily 22 vitamins, 11 minerals, amino acids, and omega-3 fatty acids.