This is a recipe for cooking Mexican-style pork tacos. They are called carnitas, which translates to “little meats.”
Authentic carnitas recipe is a dish that originated in Mexico. It consists of pork, lard, and spices cooked for hours until the meat falls apart.
Pork carnitas, whether in tacos, burritos, quesadillas, over nachos, or on its own, is guaranteed to satisfy. Because of the way it’s cooked, it’s melt-in-your-mouth soft and juicy on the inside and browned and crispy on the exterior.
Carnitas is slow-cooked until it breaks apart and shreds easily, then fried with some of the cooking liquids to make it lovely and crispy. It’s an excellent meal to offer when you need to feed a large group.
What exactly are carnitas?
Carnitas is a kind of jerked pork from Mexico. Pig shoulder, commonly known as pork butt, is used to make this dish. Carnitas is often found in tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and as a topping for nachos, but it may also be found in sandwiches and with eggs.
Carnitas is slow-cooked, allowing the flesh to become very soft, almost melting in your mouth. It’s seasoned with oregano and cumin, two classic Mexican herbs and spices.
Carnitas: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making pig carnitas at home is a rather simple process. After a few minutes of prep, place it in the slow cooker and wait several hours before shredding!
From the very beginning, here’s how to accomplish it. Using a paper towel, pat the pork shoulder dry, then season liberally with salt and freshly ground black pepper. In a small dish, combine the rub ingredients and massage them into the meat, ensuring sure it is completely coated. Place the pork in the slow cooker with the fat cap facing up. As the pork cooks, this will help it remain juicy and soft. In the slow cooker, combine the other ingredients, cover, and cook on high for 7 hours or low for 10 hours.
Place the pork on a chopping board once it has done cooking and shred it with two forks. It’s now time to crisp it up. In a large skillet, heat the oil and add the shredded pork along with some of the cooking juices. Cook for a few minutes until the fluids have evaporated, then turn and cook for a few minutes longer, working in batches if necessary. Before serving, drizzle more of the cooking liquids over the pork, and enjoy!
How to Serve Carnitas de Pork
Carnitas may be used as a burrito, taco, or quesadilla filling, or served with cauliflower rice for a low-carb dinner. Carnitas may be served with a wonderful Mexican salad, plain guacamole, or pico de gallo on the side.
Carnitas Recipes for Beginners
Cook the pork with the fat cap facing upwards to keep it juicy and tender as it cooks.
There are various more ways to make carnitas if you don’t have a slow cooker. It can be cooked in an Instant Pot for 1 hour and 30 minutes on high, then released naturally. Then just brown the meat according to the recipe’s instructions.
If you want to roast the pork, cover it with 2 cups of water, wrap it in foil, and bake it at 325°F for 2 hours. Remove the foil and bake it uncovered for another 1 hour and 30 minutes. Check on it from time to time to see if you need to add extra water.
For the most genuine taste, use Mexican oregano.
Before using, skim off some of the fat from the top of the cooking fluids. It will be incredibly oily if you don’t do this.
How to Keep Mexican Pulled Pork in the Slow Cooker
Transfer the carnitas to an airtight container and refrigerate to keep them fresh. It’s best if you eat it within four days.
Can Pork Carnitas Be Freezed?
Absolutely! When frozen in an airtight container, carnitas will last for 3 months.
You Might Also Enjoy These Recipes:
Rice from Mexico
Mexican corn on the cob
Pork belly that is crispy
Pork in a slow cooker
Instructions
The pork shoulder should be completely dry. Add salt and pepper to taste.
In a small bowl, combine the oregano, cumin, and olive oil. Incorporate the rub into the meat.
In a slow cooker, place the pork fat side up. Combine the onion, jalapeño, garlic, and orange juice in a mixing bowl. Cook on high for 7 hours or low for 10 hours with the lid on.
Remove the meat from the slow cooker and set it aside. With two forks, shred the meat.
In a big skillet, heat some oil over high heat. In a large mixing bowl, combine the pork and part of the cooking liquids. Allow the liquids to drain before flipping the pork to gently brown.
Serve with additional cooking fluids as a garnish.
Notes
You can use orange juice from a carton in a rush, but the finest taste comes from freshly squeezed orange juice.
The “flavorful carnitas recipe” is a delicious dish that can be made at home. The ingredients include pork shoulder, salt, pepper, oregano, cumin, garlic powder, chili powder and paprika.
Frequently Asked Questions
What pork cut is best for carnitas?
A: The pork loin chop is best for carnitas.
Why do you put orange juice in carnitas?
A: As the orange juice helps to tenderize the meat, it makes a dish like carnitas more flavorful.
Related Tags
- carnitas recipe dutch oven
- carnitas recipe slow cooker
- carnitas recipe no slow cooker
- carnitas recipe oven
- spicy carnitas recipe
