15 Pork Carnitas Serious Eats

What should I make for dinner tonight? This might just be the number one question that we ask ourselves almost daily over here.

Then you have come to the right place, we have rounded up 15 pork carnitas serious eats that we have shared over the years.

Plus, there is such a variety of flavours in these recipes, so you are sure to find something for you. Most of these recipes are quick and easy ones made especially for busy weeknights.

15 Pork Carnitas Serious Eats

No-Waste Tacos de Carnitas With Salsa Verde Recipe

No-Waste Tacos de Carnitas With Salsa Verde Recipe

4 hr 35 min
Boneless pork shoulder, corn tortillas, orange, queso fresco, tomatillos
4.750
Serious Eats
Sous Vide Carnitas for Tacos (Crispy Mexican-Style Pulled Pork) Recipe

Sous Vide Carnitas for Tacos (Crispy Mexican-Style Pulled Pork) Recipe

8 hr 20 min
Boneless pork shoulder, charred salsa verde, corn tortillas, lime, cinnamon
4.619
Serious Eats
Carnitas Taco From 'Tacolicious'

Carnitas Taco From ‘Tacolicious’

Boneless pork shoulder, orange juice, dark brown sugar, corn tortillas, lemon juice
No reviews
Serious Eats
Homemade Tacos Al Pastor Recipe

Homemade Tacos Al Pastor Recipe

11 hr 40 min
Pork roast, salsa verde, pineapple, corn tortillas, whole ancho chiles
4.626
Serious Eats
Pork Carnitas and Oaxaca Cheese Shooter's-Style Sandwich With Spicy Refried Beans and Pickled Red Onions Recipe

Pork Carnitas and Oaxaca Cheese Shooter’s-Style Sandwich With Spicy Refried Beans and Pickled Red Onions Recipe

4 hr 20 min
Refried beans, carnitas, mozzarella cheese, pickled red onions, country bread
3.01
Serious Eats
Shredded Pork in Ancho-Orange Sauce (Chilorio) from 'Pati's Mexican Table'

Shredded Pork in Ancho-Orange Sauce (Chilorio) from ‘Pati’s Mexican Table’

1 hr 20 min
Boneless pork butt, apple cider vinegar, orange juice, mexican, ancho chiles
4.33
Serious Eats
Tacos Árabes (Pita-Wrapped, Cumin-Marinated-Pork Tacos) Recipe

Tacos Árabes (Pita-Wrapped, Cumin-Marinated-Pork Tacos) Recipe

Pork roast, pita bread, yogurt sauce, lemon, mexican
5.01
Serious Eats
Yucatecan Pork Belly and Cheese Tacos (Tacos de Castacán Con Queso) Recipe

Yucatecan Pork Belly and Cheese Tacos (Tacos de Castacán Con Queso) Recipe

7 hr
Pork belly, seville orange, corn tortillas, habanero salsa, lime
5.01
Serious Eats
Tacos de Buche (Pork Stomach Tacos) Recipe

Tacos de Buche (Pork Stomach Tacos) Recipe

4 hr 40 min
Salsa verde, pork, mexican sour cream, tomatillo sauce, soy sauce
4.84
Serious Eats
Easy Pork Rillettes (Slow-Cooked Pork Spread) Recipe

Easy Pork Rillettes (Slow-Cooked Pork Spread) Recipe

6 hr
Skinless pork shoulder, duck fat, split, bay leaves, fresh thyme
5.01
Serious Eats
Cochinita Pibil (Yucatán-Style Barbecued Pork) Recipe

Cochinita Pibil (Yucatán-Style Barbecued Pork) Recipe

6 hr 5 min
Boneless pork shoulder, banana leaves, orange juice, soy sauce, corn tortillas
5.04
Serious Eats
Sous Vide Tacos de Lengua Recipe

Sous Vide Tacos de Lengua Recipe

72 hr
Duck fat, veal tongue, corn tortillas, adobo sauce, lime
4.85
Serious Eats
Tacos de Lengua Recipe

Tacos de Lengua Recipe

4 hr 30 min
Duck fat, tomatillo sauce, veal tongue, corn tortillas, queso fresco
No reviews
Serious Eats
Charred Corn Tacos in Crispy All-Cheese Taco Shells Recipe

Charred Corn Tacos in Crispy All-Cheese Taco Shells Recipe

5 min
Salsa verde, taco shells
No reviews
Serious Eats
Crispy Potato and Chorizo Tacos Recipe

Crispy Potato and Chorizo Tacos Recipe

40 min
Bought salsa verde, vegan mexican chorizo, corn tortillas, russet potatoes, white vinegar
4.25
Serious Eats

What cut of pork is used for carnitas?

pork shoulder

What do you eat with pork carnitas?

To Serve Carnitas

Include bowls of shredded lettuce, chopped cilantro, sour cream, pico de gallo and shredded cheese. Pork carnitas are savory and filling, so look for side dishes that are fresh, light, and somewhat acidic or sweet.

How do you keep carnitas from drying out?

So the key to great carnitas (and French confit, for that matter) is to heat the meat to a specific temperature, and try and keep it there long enough for the collagen to break down, while minimizing the amount of moisture lost.

What does carnitas translate to in English?

Carnitas — which means “little meats” in Spanish — is a Mexican pork dish. An inexpensive, heavily marbled cut of pork, such as boneless Boston butt, pork shoulder or picnic ham, is braised or simmered for several hours with seasonings and lard until it is so tender that is can be shredded.

What is the difference between tacos and carnitas?

Even though they’re both made with pig, carnitas tacos and al pastor tacos are two of the most popular taco fillings available, and even though they’re both made with pork, there are some significant variations between them. Carnitas is made with a pork shoulder as the base (via PopSugar ).

Are carnitas healthy?

Skip the chorizo, fried fish, and carnitas (fried pork or beef), which are higher in unhealthy saturated fat.

What goes on top of carnitas?

What Toppings Go on Carnitas Tacos?

  1. finely chopped raw white onion or red onion.
  2. thinly sliced jalapeno.
  3. shredded cabbage.
  4. chopped fresh cilantro.
  5. crumbled cotija or shredded jack cheese.
  6. lime wedges (Squeeze fresh lime juice right over the top of your tacos for that citrusy zing!)
  7. Mexican crema or sour cream.
  8. Guacamole.

What can I make with carnitas besides tacos?

10 New Ways to Eat Carnitas

  • Carnitas Eggs Benedict. Last night’s taco leftovers can easily become tomorrow’s brunch. …
  • Carnitas Sandwich. Reimagine a classic tuna sandwich by building a cold carnitas sammie. …
  • Indian Carnitas. …
  • Carnitas Barbecue. …
  • Orange-Scented Carnitas. …
  • Carnitas Flatbread. …
  • Steamed Carnitas. …
  • Carnitas and Grits.

What goes well with carnitas tacos?

What to serve with tacos de carnitas

  • Spicy Mexican Rice.
  • Loaded Food Truck Mexican Nacho Fries.
  • Lightened Up Mexican Corn Dip with Avocado and Jalapeño.
  • Creamy Avocado Sauce.

Why are my carnitas tough?

If you don’t cook the connective tissue properly, it will be tough and rubbery. The connective tissue has to break down and literally melt away in the meat. This takes time. but when it’s done, the meat should fall apart by itself.

Can you overcook carnitas?

This broth adds flavors the meat for a slow roasted flavor. All that juice allows the meat to stay moist and not overcook. If it is dry in the slow cooker, the meat can burn and over cook. Whenever cooking meat it is best to put in at least a cup of water to make sure you do not over cook pork.

Can I use shortening for carnitas?

I go through stages of dishes I like to order at a Mexican restaurant and one of my favorites has always been carnitas, which literally means “little meats”. Braising pork in lard makes carnitas soft and tender. Rather than lard, I substituted with vegetable shortening and used only a couple of tablespoons.

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