15 Simple Carnitas

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 simple carnitas 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.

Easy Carnitas Recipe

3 hr 45 min

Pork shoulder roast, dutch oven, chicken broth, lime juice, garlic

5.038

Baking Mischief

Simple Carnitas

3 hr

Boneless pork shoulder, oranges, garlic, bay leaves, whole black

4.6274

Allrecipes

Easy Carnitas Recipe

4 hr 5 min

Instant pot, pork shoulder, lime juice, chili powder, sea salt

4.4456

Isabel Eats

Easy Pork Carnitas

30 min

Pound pork tenderloin, orange juice, lime juice, garlic, chili powder

4.937

Damn Delicious

Easy Crockpot Carnitas

8 hr 10 min

Pork shoulder, beer, orange juice, chipotle hot sauce, cinnamon

4.9140

Pinch of Yum

Easy Carnitas {Crockpot, or Instant Pot, Mexican Pulled Pork}

4 hr 15 min

Lb pork shoulder, orange juice, lime juice, chili powder, cayenne pepper

4.818

That’s Deelicious!

15-Minute Quick Carnitas Recipe Perfect for Tacos

15 min

El pato, cooked pork carnitas, lemon, habanero, olive oil

5.01

Bring On The Spice

Easy Carnitas

3 hr 10 min

Boneless pork shoulder, orange, cinnamon sticks, chile powder, mexican oregano

5.02

Spoon Fork Bacon

Quick Pork Carnitas Tacos

25 min

Pork tenderloin, low carb, orange juice, brown sugar, pico de gallo

5.06

Diethood

Pork Carnitas

4 hr

Pound pork shoulder, spent, red pepper flakes, garlic, black pepper

4.5159

Jo Cooks

Easy Carnitas Recipe + Video

4 hr 20 min

Sirloin tip roast, new mexico, smoked paprika, low sodium, garlic powder

No reviews

The Slow Roasted Italian

Pork Carnitas Recipe

2 hr 50 min

Pork shoulder

5.01

Taste and Tell

Mexican Pork Carnitas (slow cooker Mexican pork)

8 hr 10 min

Pork shoulder, sugar free, avocado oil, oranges, garlic powder

4.818

The Endless Meal

Easy Weeknight Pork Carnitas Tacos

25 min

Sour cream, poblano peppers, ground pork, white wine vinegar, queso fresco

5.05

A Simple Pantry

Best Instant Pot Carnitas Recipe

1 hr 35 min

Boneless pork shoulder, fresh orange juice, corn tortillas, mexican beer, olive oil

5.060

Lemon Blossoms

What cut of meat is best for carnitas?

pork shoulder

What are the toppings for carnitas?

What Toppings Go on Carnitas Tacos?

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

What is the difference between pulled pork and carnitas?

Pulled pork is meat from a pig (typically from the shoulder region) that has been slow-cooked until it’s easy enough to shred, whereas carnitas (meaning “little meats”) is a version of pulled pork that’s often fixed with Mexican spices (or simply salt).

Are carnitas chopped or shredded?

Carnitas is basically shredded or pulled pork. Or in this case, it’s pork cut up in small pieces because we want it done quickly, and we wanted done now! The pork is marinated or braised with seasonings, and the result is tender, juicy, flavorful shreds of – or small chunks – of meat!

How are carnitas made?

“Carnitas are cubes of fragrantly spiced pork slowly cooked in lard until they’re crispy on the outside while at the same time remaining soft and succulent inside,” says Chef John. Add some to warm tortillas, drizzle with a little braising liquid, and top with salsa, chopped onions, and cilantro.

Is pork shoulder and picnic the same?

Pork shoulder is also called pork picnic shoulder and is found directly below the pork butt on the animal. This sub-primal cut runs from the bottom of the pork butt to the top of the front leg hoof. As opposed to the pork butt, this is a well-used muscle on the pig, making it a more dense and tough piece of meat.

What side dish goes with carnitas?

What to serve with your pork carnitas:

Air Fryer Corn on the Cob with Cilantro Lime Butter Sauce. …
This simple 3 Bean Avocado Corn Salad is a dip or a salad that is certainly a way to eat the rainbow. …
Sweet Potato Nachos with Avocado Crema. …
Jiffy Cornbread Casserole with Honey. …
Mango Avocado Salsa. …
Healthy Guacamole Recipe.

What goes good 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.

What is pastor tacos made of?

Al Pastor meat is taken from boneless pork shoulder. Although the cooking style is identical to that of the Lebanese shawarma with its vertical spit-roasting method, the meat is completely different from lamb. Pork shoulder is slow-cooked to keep its tenderness while it is thinly sliced off the spinning spit-roast.

Is barbacoa the same as carnitas?

The main difference between Barbacoa and Carnitas is the type of meat used. Barbacoa is made with lamb or beef, while Carnitas is made with pork. How are Barbacoa and Carnitas made? Barbacoa is made by cooking the meat over an open fire, while Carnitas cooks the pork in lard.

Is barbacoa or carnitas better?

Barbacoa shines out a little more than its competitor in terms of texture and flavor, particularly at Chipotle. This dish has a heartier texture and a deeper taste. Carnitas, on the other hand, has a significantly softer flavor profile. However, it has a crunchy texture from browning it after the slow-cooking process.

What is the difference between carnitas and al pastor tacos?

What is the difference between carnitas and al pastor? Carnitas and al pastor both use pork, but the cooking preparations and flavors are quite different. Carnitas are usually braised in liquid or fat. Al pastor is marinated, then grilled and utilizes pineapple to provide a tangy flavor.

15 Simple Carnitas