Best 5 Carnitas Easy Shredded Pork Recipes
Carnitas, a traditional Mexican dish, is a delectable and versatile shredded pork dish that tantalizes taste buds with its rich, smoky flavors and tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Typically made with pork shoulder or pork butt, carnitas is braised or roasted low and slow until the meat falls apart easily, creating a juicy and flavorful masterpiece. This beloved dish can be enjoyed in various forms, from tacos and burritos to enchiladas and salads, making it a versatile addition to any culinary adventure.
This article presents a comprehensive guide to preparing carnitas, featuring three distinct recipes that cater to different tastes and preferences. The first recipe, "Classic Carnitas," takes you on a culinary journey to savor authentic Mexican flavors. It involves braising pork shoulder in a flavorful broth infused with aromatic spices, creating a succulent and tender result. The second recipe, "Crock Pot Carnitas," offers a convenient and hassle-free approach, utilizing a slow cooker to achieve fall-off-the-bone tenderness while infusing the meat with delectable spices. Finally, the "Air Fryer Carnitas" recipe introduces a healthier and modern twist to this classic dish, using an air fryer to achieve crispy, golden-brown carnitas without compromising on taste or texture.
SIMPLE CARNITAS
This the easiest recipe for tasty carnitas. Once cooked, the meat can also be shredded and mixed with BBQ sauce for incredible pulled pork sandwiches, or pan fried in a little oil until crisp on the outside.
Provided by Ken from CA
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Mexican
Time 3h
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Place the pork shoulder, oranges, onion, garlic, kosher salt, cumin, black peppercorns, and bay leaves into a large Dutch oven. Add water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer for 10 minutes. Skim off any foam that rises to the top. Cover loosely, and simmer until the meat is tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Allow the pork to cool, covered, in the broth for 1 hour. Shred the meat with two forks.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 187.9 calories, Carbohydrate 6.6 g, Cholesterol 62.5 mg, Fat 9.6 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 18.4 g, SaturatedFat 3.4 g, Sodium 2331.5 mg, Sugar 3.8 g
CARNITAS EASY SHREDDED PORK
A great make ahead recipe for tamales or tacos. No slow cooking because this recipe used Trader Joe's Traditional Carnitas a Mexican oven roasted pork. Just shred and add to the rest of the ingredients. For a little extra boast add some of Recipe #15301.
Provided by Rita1652
Categories Pork
Time 35m
Yield 4 cups, 24 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a pan heat oil then add the last 6 ingredients and cook over medium heat till softened about 20 minutes. Stirring every couple minutes.
- Mix in shredded pork.
- This can be made ahead up three month in freezer container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Fill your favorite wraps, corn or flour tortillas or tacos garnish as you please with sour cream, salsa, avocado -- .
SLOW-COOKER PORK CARNITAS
This easy and delicious slow-cooker recipe will impress any taco lover. While it's an extra step, crisping up the shredded meat in a skillet before serving adds extra flavor and creates the crunchy bits that are typical of carnitas. And don't skip the pickled red onions! They complement the richness of the pork.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 5h15m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 27
Steps:
- Add the chicken broth, orange juice, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, oregano, red pepper flakes, cloves, and 2 teaspoons kosher salt to a large slow cooker and whisk to combine. Add the onion, garlic and bay leaves and stir to combine. Add the pork and toss to coat. Cover and cook on high until the meat is tender, about 5 hours.
- Transfer the pork to a large bowl with a slotted spoon and discard the bay leaves, onion, and garlic. Shred the pork into bite-size pieces with 2 forks, leaving some larger chunks, and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of the lard in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add half the shredded pork and press down into an even layer with a spatula. Cook, pressing occasionally with a spatula, until crisped and browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and cover with foil to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining 2 tablespoons lard and shredded pork.
- Serve with tortillas, cilantro, jalapenos and pickled red onions.
- Put the sliced onions in a medium heatproof, nonreactive bowl. Put the vinegar, orange juice, lime juice, bay leaves, sugar, coriander and 1 tablespoon kosher salt in a small saucepan and whisk to combine. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook, whisking occasionally, until the sugar dissolves, about 1 minute. Pour the mixture over the red onions and set aside until cooled to room temperature. Serve at room temperature or cover and refrigerate up to 4 days.
PORK CARNITAS
Many find carnitas a little dry or flavorless. These have a great, distinctive flavor and are requested by friends and family over and over. Serve with warm, fresh tortillas and salsa.
Provided by Nette
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Mexican
Time 3h45m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over high heat. Season the pork shoulder with salt, then arrange the pork in the Dutch oven. Cook until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Add the onion, garlic, lime juice, chili powder, oregano, and cumin. Pour in the chicken broth, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and continue to simmer until pork is very tender, about 2 1/2 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Transfer the pork shoulder to a large baking sheet, reserving the cooking liquid. Drizzle with a small amount of the reserved cooking liquid and lightly season with salt.
- Bake the pork in the preheated oven until browned, about 30 minutes. Drizzle more of the cooking liquid on the meat every 10 minutes, and use two forks to shred the meat as it browns.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 249.8 calories, Carbohydrate 2.3 g, Cholesterol 62.5 mg, Fat 19.1 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 16.2 g, SaturatedFat 5.9 g, Sodium 2072.3 mg, Sugar 1.1 g
EASY CARNITAS (PULLED PORK)
Why go to your local taco stop when you can make your own authentic carnitas at home. Very simple, just throw ingredients in pan and put in oven. Taste delicious with warm corn tortillas, chopped onions and chopped cilantro.
Provided by Chef Sarita in Aust
Categories Pork
Time 1h10m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375. In a bowl, mix pork, orange zest/peel, cumin (to your taste), and salt to taste. Place seasoned pork in large rectangular baking pan and top with onions.
- Bake covered with aluminium paper for about 1 hr 45 minutes. During the cooking time, about every 30 mins or so, check on the pork and turn to prevent the pork from burning. To creat a crispy texture to pork, bake in oven 15 min more UNCOVERED and turn once so that all sides get crispy texture.
- Shred and serve with warm tortillas.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 392.9, Fat 26.1, SaturatedFat 9, Cholesterol 114, Sodium 99.4, Carbohydrate 4.8, Fiber 1.2, Sugar 0.9, Protein 33
Tips:
- Choose the right cut of pork: Pork shoulder (also known as pork butt) is the best cut for carnitas because it has a good amount of fat that will render down and make the meat tender and flavorful.
- Use a Dutch oven or slow cooker: These cooking methods allow the pork to cook slowly and evenly, resulting in fall-apart tender meat.
- Add plenty of seasonings: Carnitas is a flavorful dish, so don't be afraid to use a variety of seasonings. Common seasonings include cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano.
- Cook the pork until it is fall-apart tender: This usually takes about 2-3 hours in a Dutch oven or 6-8 hours in a slow cooker.
- Shred the pork: Once the pork is cooked, shred it with two forks or a meat shredder.
- Serve the carnitas with your favorite toppings: Common toppings include salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and cheese.
Conclusion:
Carnitas is a delicious and versatile dish that can be used in a variety of dishes, such as tacos, burritos, and enchiladas. It is also a great meal for a party or potluck. With a little planning and preparation, you can easily make carnitas at home. So next time you are looking for a flavorful and easy-to-make meal, give carnitas a try!
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