As a new food blogger, I am starting to understand the importance of the food picture. It’s equally important for the food to both look good and taste great for people to be interested. When I saw the pictures of the braised carnitas at The Culinary Chronicles, I wanted to try making this right away. Her pictures are so delicious, aren’t they?
I followed her recipe exactly but the only changes I made are the amount of meat (3 lbs instead of 5), the brand of beer (Sierra Nevada instead of Fat Tire), and cooking time (1 hr shorter than her recipe). It takes several hours to prepare, but most of cooking time is baking in oven. What a great weekend menu, right?
FYI, this is the recipe that I told you I wanted to share with you maybe about 2 weeks ago. My focus on this blog is still Japanese food but please allow me to share non-Japanese food once in a while, especially the ones that my family and I really enjoyed. Also in Japan, the Japanese eats a lot more Westernized meals at home or restaurant than you probably guessed.
Lastly, Giulia from Alterkitchen passed me wonderful awards*. Thank you so much Giulia! She is an Italian living in Italy. So you know what she’s posting on her blog, REAL authentic Italian food! She’s working so hard to translate her Italian recipes into English, for us! It’s not so easy to write recipes in a 2nd language, so please kindly visit her site and say hello! She’s a very charming girl and she’ll be happy to hear from you.
Have a great weekend!
*Please read my previous post about my reason for not passing awards and sharing 7 things about me. Thanks!
Ingredients:
- 3 lbs boneless country pork ribs (boneless pork shoulder), rinse and pat dried
- Sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Oil
- ½ large onion, diced
- 3-4 large garlic clove, minced
- 2 bottles (24 oz) beer
- 1 tsp. chili powder
- ¼ tsp. paprika
- ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
- ¼ tsp. ground cumin
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions:
- Cut the meat into 5-inch chunks and generously season with salt and pepper.
- In a large Dutch oven, heat oil on medium-high heat. Place the pork in a single layer without overlapping each other (you might need to do a 2nd batch depending on your meat and pot size). I put 3 lbs pork in a 3.63 qt Dutch oven and it just fit. Cook the meat till brown. Try not to flip too much and make sure each side of the meat is well-browned (it took me 40-45 minutes). Don’t worry about burning the bottom of the pot because we’ll scrape it off nicely with beer later on.
- When the meat is all browned, take it out onto a plate and set aside. Use a paper towel to blot away some oil leaving just enough to cook onions.
- Lower the heat to medium and add the onions to the pot. Sauté onions until translucent and then add garlic to cook 2 more minutes. Again don’t worry about burning the bottom of the pot (it’s going to be okay!).
- Pour in the beer, scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to release all the brown bits.
- Heat the oven to 350F degrees.
- Add the pork back to the pot and add Seasonings. Braise in the oven uncovered for about 2½ hours (varies depending on oven), turning the pork every half an hour during cooking.
- When much of the liquid is evaporated and the pork is falling apart, remove the pot from the oven. Take the pork pieces out to the plate so they will cool down.
- When the meat is cooled down, shred them into bite sizes with your hand. Serve with corn or flour tortillas and your choice of salsas and toppings.
Enjoy!
Source: slightly adapted from The Culinary Chronicles, originally from David Lebovitz
Hi, I'm Nami. Thanks for stopping by Just One Cookbook. You can read little bit more about me 
{ 81 comments… read them below or add one }
How delicious this must be, Nami. I love long slow braised dishes because the taste is worth all the wait.
Thank you Adora! Yes, I was so anxious to try while it’s still in oven! =P
Your carnitas look so yummy I want to eat my screen
I love pork and even more slowly cooked pork (I have posted some time ago the Chinese recipe I prepare very often-spare ribs braised in soy sauce and star anise, probably our favourite pork dish). Long braising or baking makes miracles (and usually is so easy)! I am very glad you put all the recipes your consider worth sharing with us, not only purely Japanese.
Thanks for sharing the links, I have already bookmarked them. They look very interesting!
Hi Sissi! Ohhh your Chinese slow cooked pork sounds delicious! Haha I like how you said about miracles – I have to agree with that.
I agree that pictures totally make the blog for food blogging!
Hi Allie! Yes, I must work hard on photography because I’m sure most readers decide on trying or not trying the recipe based on the picture of the dish…
Thanks for sharing. I love braised pork and usually cook Asian style. I never tried braising in beer though I drink beer with my Asian braised pork. Its not the same I know:) Have a wonderful day.
Thank you for stopping by Three-Cookies.
Haha I don’t drink beer but I used it for cooking. 
looks delicious!
Thanks Kat!
When it comes to food blogs, people eat with their eyes, so yeah, the pictures are important! (I wish mine were better, but I think I’ll go on dreaming of a dslr for some more time …
)
I love pot roasts, and this one looks amazing! But I’ve never cooked with beer. My mom made a beef stew with beer for her birthday last year, and it tasted awesome.
Hi Kath! Wooo beef stew with beer. It’s been cold again in SF and that sounds actually very nice…
I don’t drink beer, but I wish to try out one day. Have a nice weekend ahead.
Hi Sonia! I actually don’t drink beer either. I never thought it’s tasty… everyone tells me I’m still a kid…. I like sweet drinks. =P You should give it a try because I don’t drink beer but I LOVE it!
Wow Nami, what a beautiful pictures, top 9 for sure!!! I am loving this recipe!
Have a wonderful Friday!:)
Thank you Sandra! Haha thanks but this picture is not so good… I should zoom back a bit.
I love carnitas! I’ve never made it in the oven (only the slow cooker). I love making things with the left overs too- carintas pizza! or even just with gohan!
Hi Lindsey! I don’t have a slow cooker, but since I’m staying at home most of the time I thought I don’t need one. It looks really convenient though. Carnitas pizza sounds wonderful!
Looks delicious, Nami! So crispy…
)
Have a nice weekend
Kay
Thanks Kay! I hope you had a nice weekend.
WOW Nami! This looks fantastic! I’ve never cooked country pork ribs before – honestly, I didn’t really know what to do with them! But, I am making this FOR SURE!! It looks easy – gotta love those dishes that you put in the oven for hours! This actually looks like a great dish during the week for my hungry family!! Nice job!
Thank you Carina! Country pork ribs is same as pork shoulder. I feel like you have the recipe using pork shoulder, no? I know I’ve seen your roasts etc and they always make me hungry!
You know Douglas would love to have this with bunch of Beer! I really think that you should start “take to go” business. I will be your Biggest customer for sure ; )
Hi Mika-san! Haha… then that will be so much work and no fun. I actually feel overwhelmed with just managing single blog… LOL.
Yum yum gimme sum! This looks lovely. I always think your pictures are great
Heehee. Thanks Dee!
There really isn’t anything like carnitas. So tasty and lovely with tortillas and fresh salsa. Lovely photo and the step by step is wonderful. You always know how to break down the steps for people. I can’t wait to try these. Have a great weekend with your family!
Thank you Terris! Well, I usually can’t remember the directions that are long…so the break-down steps are especially for me.
I like it when I can put check mark next to it when I’m done, so it works the same way for directions…. LOL.
These look so wonderful.I like such hassle free recipes with slow cooker.And the flavor that slow cooking infuses.Wonderful looking!
Thank you Tanvi! I know… we can do other stuff while cooking the meal. I like American oven… it fits a huge Dutch oven!
Gorgeous photo Nami!
Thank you Tiffany!
Wowzers, Nami! These look delicious! You did a great job!
Nam, THANK YOU for giving an opportunity to cook this recipe and my family enjoyed it so much!
Yummy! Can’t wait to give these a try!
Thank you Amy! I’m sure you enjoy this yummy pork.
This looks so inviting! The meat looks so tender… I love it when it comes apart like that… it almost melts in your mouth! Great job with the pictures… you got me to want to make these carnitas!!!
Hi Manu! Haha thank you, and you proved my point that food photography is important.
Hehehe. I hope you will give it a try!
Oh I can just imagine this on a cold winter night nami! It looks so warm and hearty!!
Hi Daphne! Yes and it’s great for summer party too!
Nami, what a lovely post and great recipe. I am going to pop over now to Alterkitchen.
Mandy
Thank you Mandy! It’s very kind of you for visiting Giulia’s site.
OMG!!!! Nami the 1st and last photos was absolutely gorgeous! Very good lighting and colour combination that makes it mouth watering.
Thank you Ellena! Your compliment is too nice.
Looks amazing, Nami… The meat looks so tender and like it will melt in your mouth! Wow… I really need to try this, but I wonder if I can get it like yours! Amazing job!
Thanks for sharing…
Thank you Marsha! Oh of course you can make it and trust me, yours will look much better with your cooking skills!
its looks yummmm! super like!
Thank you Daksha!
This looks so good…! I love cooking meat dishes with alcohol, they always turn out yummier somehow
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Hi CG! I don’t use big chunk of meat often enough. Japanese dish is all about thin sliced meat. I should try more different recipes so I can easily feed a lot of people.
Sign me up for this one girl. Love pork dishes!!
Hi Sandra! Haha sureee! I know you like pork dish. In fact, whenever I post some pork dish, I think of you, and I’m not lying!
That looks so good. I can’t wait to try this recipe:)
Thank you Melissa! I hope you will like it.
I too started blogging in Jan and withing a month I realized the value of good photography
Looking forward to see dishes from you .. japanese .. or any other cuisines you like! Now going to go over to your friend’s blog ….
Hi Kankana! I have recently met you so I didn’t know you also started in January. Your blog is already awesome!!! Thank you for visiting Giulia’s website.
Yes you need a break from the usual every once in a while. What a great diversion! I love anything slow braised. Thanks Nami!
Thank you Jamie! I’m glad I shared this recipe.
I totally agree Nami..A picture can makeor break a post on a food blog..
I am working on my photography and seriously considering buying a DSLR.
Your pictures are always so appetizing and yummy
geat job as always
and please do post non japanese recipes..I love everything you share
Hi Sawsan! Thank you for your kind words on my photography but I know there’s a lot to be improved.
Okay I will share some non-Japanese dish once in a while. Thanks for your feedback – I really appreciate it!
Nami, I absolutely agree about great food photos, they just lure your readers in. Thanks also for sharing with us your photo-tutorial of this process. I also try to do it when I have the time because first and foremost, it reminds ME what to do the next time I cook the same dish!
Hi Maya! You are welcome. You are right about step-by-step. I actually do it so that everyone thinks it’s easy to cook Japanese food. And hopefully my kids will think so in the future….
Thank you for the step by step photos! I think your photo is great, it certainly made me hungry, and as for the westernised food, it sounds lovely!
Hi Xinmei! Thank you.
I’m glad my photos make you hungry enough. Haha. I’ll be sharing some Westernized Japanese food, so don’t worry. 
Your pictures are great and this looks absolutely wonderful!
Thank you so much Maris!
Mmmm, great carnitas, Nami. My husband loves them, I may have to try this one out on him.
Hi Carolyn! I hope your husband will love this dish! My husband and my brother-in-law loved it!
Beautiful photo – I totally agree with your experience: makes me want to make it right away
Thank you Cooking Rookie!
Thanks a lot for your kind description of my blog! You’re so nice!!! And I love this recipe and your picture, too
Thanks Giulia and you are very welcome! It was my pleasure to introduce you on my blog.
Oh, my gosh! I am just drooling looking at your mouthwatering photos! What a fabulous dish!
Hi Liz! Thank you for your kind compliments.
I’m glad my picture was good enough to make you drool. Haha. 
Thank you Jill! Yes…the Carnitas was so good… I have to make it again on another party occasion!
Thank you Kristen! It was my first time making this but I’m so glad it was successful… probably the recipe was easy enough for me.
Thank you Maria! Yeeesss…. all that spices for such a wonderful result.
Nami, your pictures are absolutely gorgeous! And that pork looks yummy good!
Thank you Kate! I’m glad you liked my pictures.
That looks so yummy! I love this kind of food
and you made it beautifully!
Sorry I’m a bit missing in action this past few weeks, I haven’t been on the computer much we are mostly at the doctors office with my husband, he is not feeling well so I’m a bit stressed lately with not knowing what is going on yet! But I’ll email you this week when I get a chance
miss talking to you!
Hi Suzana! We’ve talked already but I just hope everything is going well with you.
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