The secret to sublime carnitas? It’s all about the salsa verde. A pork roast simmers in the tangy acidic marinade of roasted tomatillos, white onion, garlic, jalapeño, and a specialty balsamic vinegar from Olivelle until it’s perfectly cooked and shreddably delicious. This salsa verde does double duty as a great dip for chips and as a taco topper.
SERVES 8–10
2 pounds pork butt or pork shoulder
2 tablespoons Olivelle Sweet Smoked Chili Rub & Seasoning
1 tablespoon Olivelle Chili Verde Flake Sea Salt
3 tablespoons Olivelle Green Chile Infused Olive Oil
2 cups salsa verde (recipe below)
8–12 ounces Mexican lager beer
Cut the pork into 3- or 4-inch pieces and season generously with seasoning and sea salt.
In a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, heat the infused olive oil. Sear the pork in batches for 2–3 minutes per side, until golden brown.
Return the pork to the Dutch oven, add the salsa verde, and pour in the lager until the liquid reaches about two-thirds up the pork.
Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer 2–3 hours, until fork-tender. Remove from the braising liquid and shred before serving.
SALSA VERDE
MAKES ABOUT 1 QUART
1 pound tomatillos, husked, rinsed, and halved
½ white onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped
1 large jalapeño, halved and seeded (for more heat, leave seeds intact)
1 cup cilantro, packed
2 tablespoons Olivelle Pineapple Habanero White Barrel-Aged Balsamic Vinegar
1½ teaspoons Olivelle Chili Verde Flake Sea Salt
Preheat the oven to a low broil (500°F). Arrange tomatillos cut-side down on a sheet pan with the white onion, garlic, and jalapeño. Broil for 8–10 minutes, until lightly charred.
Transfer the roasted vegetables to a blender. Add the cilantro, Pineapple Habanero White Barrel-Aged Balsamic, and Chili Verde Flake Sea Salt. Blend until smooth.
Mother-daughter duo Brie Schaeffer Thompson and Michelle Schaeffer, co-founders of OLIVELLE in Bozeman, sponsored our summer recipe photo shoot and curated tableware and settings that allow the food to shine.
Inventory may vary. Please check with Olivelle for current selections.
