Carnitas, a traditional Mexican dish, is a versatile and flavorful delight that tantalizes taste buds with its succulent pork and aromatic spices. This delectable dish, meaning "little meats" in Spanish, is typically made with pork shoulder, slowly braised or roasted until fall-apart tender, resulting in tender and juicy meat bursting with authentic Mexican flavors.
This culinary journey takes you through a treasure trove of carnitas recipes, each with its unique blend of spices and cooking techniques. From the classic stovetop method to the convenience of a slow cooker or the irresistible smoky goodness of a Dutch oven, these recipes cater to diverse preferences and cooking styles.
Indulge in the traditional Carnitas Michoacan, a symphony of pork shoulder infused with Mexican oregano, cumin, and a hint of orange. Embark on a spicy adventure with Carnitas en Salsa Roja, where tender pork is enveloped in a rich and tangy tomato-based sauce. For a smoky and aromatic twist, try Carnitas en Adobo, where pork shoulder is marinated in a flavorful blend of chiles, spices, and vinegar before slow-cooking to perfection.
If you prefer a modern twist, the Carnitas Street Tacos recipe offers a delightful combination of tender carnitas, fresh salsa, and zesty guacamole, all nestled in warm tortillas. For a healthier option, the Carnitas Lettuce Wraps recipe provides a satisfying low-carb alternative, featuring tender carnitas wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves and topped with a drizzle of zesty dressing.
And for those who love the convenience of a slow cooker, the Slow Cooker Carnitas recipe delivers fall-apart tender pork with minimal effort. Simply toss the ingredients into your slow cooker and let it work its magic while you go about your day. The result is a mouthwatering dish that's perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
So, prepare your taste buds for a culinary adventure as you explore the diverse world of carnitas recipes. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or just starting, these recipes will guide you in creating authentic and delectable carnitas dishes that will leave your family and friends craving for more.
AUTHENTIC PORK CARNITAS - MEXICAN SLOW COOKED PULLED PORK
Authentic Mexican pulled pork carnitas recipe are my most popular recipe for a reason! Because they are the best :)
Provided by Carole Jones
Categories Dinner
Time 3h
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Adjust oven rack to lower middle position and heat to 300 degrees.
- all the ingredients in a large Dutch oven, including the spent orange halves and juice.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat, uncovered. Once it simmers, cover pot and transfer it to the oven. Cook until the meat falls apart when prodded with a fork, about 2 hours. You can also complete this step in a crock pot set on high for 6-7 hours. You will have more liquid to reduce in the next step however.
- Remove the pot from the oven and turn on the broiler. Use a slotted spoon to remove the meat from the pan and place it on a large foil-lined jelly roll pan.
- and discard everything from the pot except for the cooking liquid. Place pot over high heat on the stove and boil until it thickens and syrupy, about 20 - 30 minutes. You should have about 1 C of liquid remaining when it is finished.
- While the liquid is reducing, use two forks to pull each cube of pork into three equal sized pieces. Once the liquid has reduced, gently fold in the pieces of pork into the pot. Try not to break up the pork any further. Taste and add additional salt and pepper.
- Spread the pork back onto the foil lined pan and evenly spread the meat around so there is a single layer of meat. Place the jelly roll pan on the lower middle rack of the oven and broil until the top of the meat is well browned and edges are slightly crisp, about 5 to 8 minutes. Using a wide metal spatula, flip the pieces of meat and broil the other side until well browned and edges are slightly crisp, 5 to 8 minutes. Serve immediately in a tortilla with all your favorite toppings.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1/12th, Calories 365 calories, Sugar 1 g, Sodium 389 mg, Fat 27 g, SaturatedFat 10 g, UnsaturatedFat 15 g, TransFat 0 g, Carbohydrate 2 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 27 g, Cholesterol 0 g
CARNITAS
Carnitas (or "little meats") are a traditional Mexican dish of cubed pork shoulder braised with spices and citrus until tender. Fresh orange, crushed garlic, earthy oregano and aromatic cinnamon and bay leaf create a rich and fragrant braising liquid that imparts its savory flavors into the pork as it cooks. There's very little hands-on work involved, and the carnitas can be made a day ahead. Store the pork in the liquid overnight, then gently reheat before serving. A final finish under the broiler creates a golden, crispy exterior on the meat.
Provided by Kay Chun
Categories dinner, meat, tacos, main course
Time 3h
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a large Dutch oven, combine pork, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper and the oregano, and toss to evenly coat the meat in the spices. Squeeze orange juice all over the pork and add the juiced orange quarters to the pot. Add onion, garlic, cinnamon stick and bay leaf, and toss until well incorporated, nestling everything in an even layer. Drizzle oil evenly over the meat. Cover and braise in oven until pork is tender, about 2 1/2 hours, stirring once halfway through the cooking.
- Heat broiler to high, setting a rack 6 inches from the heat source. Transfer pork to a rimmed baking sheet and shred the meat. Strain juices from the pot through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl, pressing on the solids; discard solids. Skim fat from top and reserve the juices.
- Broil pork until golden and crisp in spots, about 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer carnitas to serving plates and drizzle with some of the reserved juices. Serve warm with tortillas and toppings of choice.
CARNITAS
It does not get any better than slow-roasted carnitas. This recipe differs slightly from what may be served in Old Mexico. Traditional carnitas are cooked in lard, pulled from the oil, chopped, and served directly in tacos and such. This versatile dish is one of our most requested at Salsa Brava. It can be served in tacos, burritos, omelets, or just about anything else you can imagine. We use free-range pork-no hormones, no antibiotics. Our choice for cut of meat is the pork butt. (Not to be confused with the actual pig's butt.) The pork butt is actually a shoulder cut, and it can be purchased with bone-in or out. The bone found in the butt is the clavicle, and any butcher can remove it, if preferred.
Provided by Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 3h10m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Sprinkle the pork with the seasoned salt.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Put a roasting grate at the bottom of a roasting pan and pour 1 cup of water into the bottom of the pan along with the liquid smoke. Arrange the pork on the grate and top with the onion and garlic. Cover the pan with a lid or aluminum foil.
- Bake for 2 hours, then remove the cover and bake until the pork is fork-tender, about 1 more hour.
- When cooked through, transfer the pork to a large bowl. Shred the meat and stir in the pan juices. Serve with warm tortillas or use when making tacos, tamales, etc.
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
SLOW COOKER CARNITAS
Carnitas means 'little meats' and is traditionally fried then braised. This recipe is made much easier using the slow cooker but the results are just as tasty. This makes a great filling for tamales, enchiladas, tacos and burritos. This filling is also great combined with your favorite barbecue sauce and served on buns.
Provided by Erin Parker
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Mexican
Time 10h10m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Mix together salt, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, coriander, and cinnamon in a bowl. Coat pork with the spice mixture. Place the bay leaves in the bottom of a slow cooker and place the pork on top. Pour the chicken broth around the sides of the pork, being careful not to rinse off the spice mixture.
- Cover and cook on Low until the pork shreds easily with a fork, about 10 hours. Turn the meat after it has cooked for 5 hours. When the pork is tender, remove from slow cooker, and shred with two forks. Use cooking liquid as needed to moisten the meat.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 222.7 calories, Carbohydrate 0.7 g, Cholesterol 73.3 mg, Fat 13.8 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 22.2 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Sodium 474.3 mg, Sugar 0.3 g
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
CRISPY PORK CARNITAS
There's nothing like carnitas. Cubes of fragrantly spiced pork are slowly cooked in lard until they're crispy on the outside while at the same time remaining soft and succulent inside. Bust some up on a warm tortilla, drizzle with braising liquid, top with a little salsa, onion, and cilantro, and you're probably enjoying the world's best taco.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pork 100+ Pulled Pork Recipes
Time 3h55m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C).
- Remove fat from pork; cut pork meat into 2-inch cubes and roughly chop fat.
- Mix pork, garlic, olive oil, orange peel, orange juice, salt, bay leaves, black pepper, cumin, cinnamon, and 5-spice powder together in a bowl until pork is coated completely. Transfer mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish. Place baking dish on a baking sheet and cover baking dish tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
- Bake in the preheated oven until pork is fork-tender, about 3 1/2 hours.
- Set oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.
- Transfer meat to a colander set over a bowl. Remove garlic, bay leaves, and orange peels from baking dish and pour accumulated juices from the baking dish over meat in colander into the bowl. Return meat to the baking dish and drizzle accumulated juices over each piece of meat.
- Cook meat under the preheated broiler for 3 minutes. Drizzle more accumulated juices over meat and continue broiling until crispy, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer pork to a serving plate and drizzle more accumulated juices over the top.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 317.4 calories, Carbohydrate 2.1 g, Cholesterol 89.2 mg, Fat 22.6 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 25.5 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Sodium 1036 mg, Sugar 0.1 g
Tips:
- Choose the right cut of pork: Pork shoulder is the best cut for carnitas because it has a good amount of fat and connective tissue, which makes it tender and flavorful.
- Use a combination of spices: A mixture of cumin, oregano, garlic, and chili powder gives carnitas its characteristic flavor. You can also add other spices, such as chipotle powder, paprika, or smoked paprika, to taste.
- Cook the pork slowly: Carnitas is traditionally cooked low and slow, which allows the flavors to develop and the meat to become fall-apart tender. You can cook carnitas in a slow cooker, a Dutch oven, or even in the oven.
- Shred the pork before serving: Shredded carnitas are easier to eat and make great tacos, burritos, and enchiladas. You can shred the pork with two forks or with your hands.
Conclusion:
Carnitas is a delicious and versatile Mexican dish that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Whether you're making tacos, burritos, or enchiladas, carnitas is sure to be a hit. So next time you're looking for a flavorful and easy-to-make meal, give carnitas a try!
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