Scrambled Eggs, Cheese, and Avocado Tortilla Bowl Recipe
September 16, 2025
Campfire Carnitas Recipe
Campfire carnitas require careful tending and attention while they slow cook over campfire or charcoal, but the results are incredibly tender, flavorful pork with authentic smoky taste. This outdoor cooking method creates carnitas with unmatched flavor depth that comes from cooking over real fire. The traditional technique produces incredibly tender meat with crispy edges and complex smoky flavors.
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.
Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
4 hrs
Total Time:
4 hrs 15 mins
Servings:
10
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Ingredients
4 pounds boneless pork shoulder
4 teaspoons kosher salt, or 1 teaspoon per pound of meat
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon Mexican oregano
1 white onion, sliced
1 Fresno chili pepper, seeded and halved, or more to taste
6 garlic cloves, skin on
Directions
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.
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.
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.
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.
Chef’s Notes
If cooked at the higher end of the temperature range, pork will be ready in about 4 hours. Cooking at the lower end of the range will probably take 5 hours. Move the pan occasionally, so that it does not remain over or too near the hottest part of the fire—if the oil overheats it can leak out and cause flare ups. Anytime the pan is getting too hot, simply pull it away from the fire. Use long metal tongs and heatproof gloves when working with the pork and the fire.
If using a grill, keep the pan covered, and use grill vents to adjust temperature.
To safely check doneness, always remove pan to a safe location before opening the foil.
Remove pan from the fire, and let rest for up to 1 hour, or serve immediately. Carefully cut foil away and peel back. Serve made into tacos, nachos, or enjoyed in hot dog or hamburger buns.
John Mitzewich
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
| 540 | Calories |
| 39g | Fat |
| 2g | Carbs |
| 43g | Protein |
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| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings Per Recipe 10 | |
| Calories 540 | |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Total Fat 39g | 50% |
| Saturated Fat 14g | 71% |
| Cholesterol 163mg | 54% |
| Sodium 628mg | 27% |
| Total Carbohydrate 2g | 1% |
| Dietary Fiber 0g | 1% |
| Total Sugars 1g | |
| Protein 43g | 85% |
| Vitamin C 8mg | 9% |
| Calcium 53mg | 4% |
| Iron 3mg | 14% |
| Potassium 641mg | 14% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.
