Best 3 Pork Carnitas Tacos Recipes

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**Pork Carnitas Tacos: A Mexican Street Food Delight**

Indulge in the tantalizing flavors of Mexican street food with our delectable pork carnitas tacos. This traditional dish features tender and juicy pork carnitas, slow-cooked to perfection in a blend of spices, orange juice, and Mexican beer. Served on soft corn tortillas and topped with fresh cilantro, diced onions, and salsa, these tacos are a symphony of taste and texture. The recipe provides step-by-step instructions for preparing the pork carnitas, as well as variations for making them in the oven or slow cooker. Additionally, we offer a selection of salsa recipes, including a classic pico de gallo, a spicy habanero salsa, and a creamy avocado salsa, allowing you to customize your tacos to suit your taste preferences. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey to Mexico with our authentic pork carnitas tacos!

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CARNITAS TACOS (MICHOACáN-STYLE BRAISED PORK TACOS) RECIPE - (4.2/5)



Carnitas Tacos (Michoacán-Style Braised Pork Tacos) Recipe - (4.2/5) image

Provided by bjlazyl

Number Of Ingredients 21

For the Carnitas
3 tbsp. lard or canola oil
3 lb. skinless, bone-in pork shoulder, cut into 3" pieces (have your butcher do this)
Kosher salt, to taste
3 ⁄4 cup whole milk
8 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
6 canned or jarred whole pickled jalapeños
1 ⁄3 cup jalapeño pickling liquid, from above
1 large white onion, roughly chopped
2 limes, juiced
2 oranges, juiced
For the Salsa and Serving
6 tomatillos, husked and cored
3 cloves garlic
2 plum tomatoes, cored
1 canned or jarred whole pickled jalapeño, stemmed
3 tbsp. jalapeño pickling liquid, from above, plus more for serving
Kosher salt, to taste
Corn tortillas, warmed, for serving
Roughly chopped cilantro and thinly sliced radishes, for garnish
Orange wedges, for serving

Steps:

  • Make the carnitas: Melt lard in an 8-qt. saucepan over medium-high. Season pork with salt; cook, turning as needed, until browned, 10-12 minutes. Add milk, garlic, jalapeños and pickling liquid, onion, and lime and orange juices; boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, covered, until pork is tender, about 2 hours. Let pork cool and transfer to a cutting board; chop into bite-size pieces. Strain cooking liquid and return to pan; stir in pork and keep warm. Make the salsa and serve: Heat a 12" cast-iron skillet over medium-high; cook tomatillos, garlic, and tomatoes, turning as needed, until blackened all over, 12-15 minutes, and transfer to blender. Add jalapeño and pickling liquid, and salt; purée until smooth. Serve carnitas on tortillas with salsa; garnish with cilantro and radishes. Serve with more pickled jalapeños and the orange wedges.

CARNITAS FLAUTAS (PORK ROLLED TACOS)



Carnitas Flautas (Pork Rolled Tacos) image

Flautas have always been one of my favorite Mexican dishes, after reading so many recipes I came up with my own. My husband and I like to fry these up together on taco Tuesdays. Can be served with Spanish rice and/or refried beans.

Provided by Suzona

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Latin American     Mexican

Time 4h30m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 (2 pound) boneless pork loin roast
½ cup red salsa
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons California chili powder
2 teaspoons salt
1 (6 ounce) can black olives, chopped
1 ½ cups sour cream, divided
1 ½ cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
½ cup green salsa
12 flour tortillas
vegetable oil for frying
1 tablespoon guacamole, or to taste

Steps:

  • Place pork roast into the bottom of a slow cooker. Cover pork with red salsa, garlic, chili powder, and salt.
  • Cover the slow cooker and cook on Low until tender and cooked through, 4 to 6 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C).
  • Turn off slow cooker. Remove any fat from pork and discard. Transfer pork to a large bowl and shred well using 2 forks. Let cool at least 10 minutes.
  • Pour olives, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese, and green salsa over pork. Mix well until thick and not runny.
  • Warm tortillas in a skillet over low heat to soften, 15 to 20 seconds per side.
  • Meanwhile, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a large frying pan.
  • Add a spoonful of pork mixture to each tortilla and roll up tightly. Place rolled tortillas in hot oil and fry until lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Keep warm and serve with remaining 1 cup sour cream, 1 cup Cheddar cheese, and guacamole.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 494.3 calories, Carbohydrate 41.6 g, Cholesterol 67.1 mg, Fat 25.4 g, Fiber 3.4 g, Protein 24.5 g, SaturatedFat 10.8 g, Sodium 1229.6 mg, Sugar 2.3 g

PORK CARNITAS TACOS



Pork Carnitas Tacos image

These carnitas tacos get loads of flavor from tender braised pork shoulder that gets a simple topping of diced white onion, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice. Feel free to top it all off with our Simple Guacamole for a bit of creamy texture.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Pork Recipes

Time 1h15m

Yield Makes 12 tacos

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 pounds boneless pork shoulder, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
Coarse salt and ground pepper
12 corn tortillas, warmed or lightly toasted
1 small white onion, diced small
1/2 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves
Guacamole, optional
Lime wedges, for serving

Steps:

  • In a large cast-iron or heavy straight-sided skillet, cover pork with 1/2 inch water and bring to a rapid simmer over medium-high. Cook, turning pieces occasionally, until water evaporates, about 45 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and continue to cook, turning pieces frequently, until crisp and browned on all sides, about 12 minutes. Serve carnitas with tortillas, onion, cilantro, guacamole (if desired), and lime wedges.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 522 g, Fat 19 g, Fiber 6 g, Protein 50 g

Tips:

  • Choose the right cut of pork: Pork shoulder or butt roast is the best cut for carnitas. It's marbled with fat, which makes it tender and juicy after slow cooking.
  • Sear the pork before cooking: Searing the pork helps to develop flavor and color. It also helps to create a crispy crust on the outside of the meat.
  • Use a slow cooker or Dutch oven: Slow cooking is the best way to make carnitas. It allows the meat to cook slowly and evenly, resulting in tender and flavorful meat.
  • Add plenty of spices: Carnitas is a flavorful dish, so don't be afraid to add plenty of spices. Common spices used in carnitas include cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  • Use fresh citrus juice: Fresh citrus juice helps to brighten the flavors of the carnitas. Orange juice and lime juice are both good choices.
  • Serve carnitas with your favorite toppings: Carnitas can be served with a variety of toppings, such as salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and cheese.

Conclusion:

Carnitas is a delicious and versatile dish that can be served in tacos, burritos, tortas, or simply on its own. By following these tips, you can make the best carnitas at home. Carnitas is a popular Mexican dish that is made with slow-cooked pork. It is typically served with tortillas, salsa, and guacamole. Carnitas can also be used as a filling for burritos, enchiladas, and tacos. This is a great recipe for beginners and experienced cooks alike. It is easy to follow and the results are always delicious. So next time you're looking for a flavorful and satisfying meal, give carnitas a try! You won't be disappointed.

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