Best 3 Easy Pork Carnitas Recipes

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Pork carnitas, a traditional Mexican dish, is a delectable pork roast that is renowned for its succulent texture and captivating blend of flavors. This mouthwatering culinary masterpiece is a staple in Mexican cuisine, deeply embedded in the country's rich culinary history. Carnitas, meaning "little meats," are typically made with pork shoulder or pork butt, which are slow-cooked in a flavorful marinade until fork-tender. The result is a tender and juicy shredded pork that can be enjoyed as a main course, a filling for tacos or burritos, or as part of a festive spread. With its versatility and irresistible taste, pork carnitas have become a popular choice for home cooks and culinary enthusiasts alike. Whether you are a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary journey, this article will guide you through the process of creating the perfect pork carnitas, ensuring a delicious and memorable dining experience.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CARNITAS EASY SHREDDED PORK



Carnitas Easy Shredded Pork image

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

12 ounces oven roasted cooked pork, Shredded
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 large vidalia onion, diced
1 jalapeno, minced
5 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons coriander
2 teaspoons cumin
2 teaspoons dried oregano

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 -- .

EASY PORK CARNITAS



Easy Pork Carnitas image

This authentic Mexican pork carnitas recipe takes very little effort and uses only a handful of ingredients. Just the way we make it in Mexico: lots of flavor and no fuss. [Recipe originally submitted to Allrecipes.com.mx]

Provided by ladoña

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Latin American     Mexican

Time 1h25m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 3

1 (5 pound) boneless pork shoulder
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon safflower oil

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Trim excess fat from pork shoulder and cut pork into 2-inch cubes. Season with salt and pepper on all sides.
  • Heat a cast iron braiser over medium-high heat. Pour oil into the pot and brown pork on all sides, about 10 minutes. Cover with the lid.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until pork is crispy on the outside and soft, but fully cooked, on the inside, about 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 278.4 calories, Cholesterol 106.9 mg, Fat 13.7 g, Protein 36.4 g, SaturatedFat 4.3 g, Sodium 92.7 mg

EASY CARNITAS (PULLED PORK)



Easy Carnitas (Pulled Pork) image

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

1 1/2-2 lbs boneless pork (butt, roast or pork for carnitas (cut into 1 1/2-2 in cubed chunks )
1/4 cup orange peel
1/2 cup sliced white onion
2 -3 tablespoons cumin powder
salt
pepper

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, which helps to keep the meat moist and flavorful during the cooking process.
  • Score the pork shoulder: Scoring the pork shoulder before cooking helps the flavors penetrate deeper into the meat.
  • Use a flavorful marinade: The marinade is what gives carnitas its signature flavor. Be sure to use a marinade that contains a variety of spices and herbs, such as cumin, chili powder, garlic, and oregano.
  • Cook the pork shoulder slowly: Carnitas is a slow-cooked dish, so be patient and let the pork shoulder cook for at least 4 hours, or until it is fall-apart tender.
  • Shred the pork shoulder: Once the pork shoulder is cooked, shred it with two forks. This will make it easier to serve and eat.

Conclusion:

Carnitas is a delicious and versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. It can be used as a filling for tacos, burritos, and enchiladas, or it can be served on its own with rice and beans. No matter how you choose to serve it, carnitas is sure to be a hit!

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