Table of Contents Show
Carnitas is a traditional dish of Mexican cuisine. Chefs advice serving it as a main dish or filling for tacos or other dishes. As a rule, chefs prepare carnitas from pork tenderloin, and the cooking method itself makes the meat so tender that it melts in the mouth.
You can cook carnitas both on the stove and in the oven. The main question is what to serve such a dish with?
What is the best meat to use for carnitas?
What kind of meat can you choose for carnitas if there is no Boston butt at hand? Professional chefs offer the following options:
- Pork neck. Mexicans use absolutely all parts of a pig for cooking, from the ears to the legs. It is a tender meat, excellent for carnitas.
- Pork shoulder without bones and skin. This is medium-hard meat, but it has a high fat content. Over time, it melts and the meat becomes more tender.
- Turkey. For carnitas, you can use any part of this meat. It is quite tender, but a low level of fat content will create some problems with cooking. You will have to additionally heat the fat for the broth.
Is Carnitas the same as pulled pork?
Carnitas is a Mexican–style pork stew that chefs usually use for tacos, burritos or tamales toppings. However, is it possible to compare this meat with pulled pork? The main difference is in the level of fat content and spices.
Carnitas, being a Mexican food, is distinguished by its sharpness and spicy taste. It is also a rather greasy product. For it, chefs advise using only tender and at the same time fatty meat.
On the contrary, you can cook ordinary pulled pork from any part of the animal and not focus on spices and dishes.
How to make Carnitas
To prepare high-quality carnitas, you will need a slow cooker and the following list of ingredients:
- pork – 2 kg
- salt and pepper – 1 teaspoon
- olive oil – 1 tablespoon
- beer – 400 grams
- orange juice – ¾ cup
- lime juice – ¾ cup
- garlic – 4 cloves
- pita cakes – to taste
- vegetables – to taste
- spices – to taste
Step-by-step technology of preparation:
- Cut the pork shoulder part into large pieces, remove the fat and add salt.
- Heat a large frying pan, pour out the oil, and add the pork pieces. Fry a little on all sides.
- Add beer and water to the pan to make broth. Put out everything together.
- Transfer the ingredients to a slow cooker. Add the necessary vegetables and spices. Cook for 6-8 hours.
- Serve with taco tortillas or pita. If desired, use sliced vegetables, feta cheese or Cheddar.
Instead of a slow cooker to prepare a carnitas recipe, you can use the usual cast iron skillet with a thick bottom. The main task is to let the pork tenderloin boil in the cooking liquid.
If you decide to cook a dish in a frying pan, you can use water or chicken broth.
Sauce to serve with carnitas
You can buy ready-made sauce for carnitas in the store, but it is best to cook it yourself. The main composition of the sauce includes tomatoes, onions, garlic, a lot of herbs-spices, lime juice and orange.
Then you can add something from yourself and experiment. The main difference is the absence of mayonnaise, sour cream or ketchup as the basis for the sauce. You should mix all the ingredients with plain water and mix well until smooth.
It’s not an easy process, but the result is worth it!
How to make a sauce for carnitas
Professional chefs offer you the perfect recipe for a sauce to serve with carnitas, which you can cook at home. Use the following list of ingredients:
- olive oil – 3 tablespoons
- tomatoes in their own juice – 500 grams
- fresh herbs – a bunch
- of garlic – 2-3 prongs
- pine nuts – to taste
- lemon juice – 1 tablespoon
- salt and spices – to taste
Step-by-step technology of preparation:
- Put tomatoes, chopped garlic and chopped herbs in a blender.
- Pour in olive oil, lemon juice and a little water.
- Add salt, spices and nuts.
- Grind everything thoroughly with a blender until puree is obtained. Serve with carnitas!
Best carnitas toppings
To make your tortillas with carnitas especially delicious – think about additional toppings! Professional chefs advise you to pay attention to the following options:
- fresh finely chopped onion (white or red)
- thin slices of spicy jalapeno
- cabbage, asparagus or cauliflower
- hard cheeses (you can rub them inside the tortilla)
- slices of lime, lemon or orange
- guacamole or beans
- stewed vegetables (tomatoes, peppers)
You can also experiment and add unexpected combinations by the type of French fries!
What To Serve With Carnitas
You can serve carnitas on a plate with chopped lettuce and tomatoes, a slice of lime, a small amount of coriander and finely chopped red onion. This is the most classic and common way of serving a dish.
You can also make tacos with carnitas. Fill taco shells or soft taco tortillas with a few spoonfuls of carnitas. Add guacamole, lettuce, vegetables, and cheese. Just before serving, you can sprinkle carnitas with the remaining juice from the meat.Â
Can you use a Boston butt for carnitas?Â
Boston Butt is a part of an animal carcass characterized by a high fat content. Tender and soft beef neck is most suitable for adding to carnitas. You can cook such a classical dish by stewing pork in broth. And for stewing, you need the right piece of meat.
Pork Butt is just an optimal option. Such meat contains an equal amount of fat and meat, ideal for stewing. The fat melts and forms a rich broth. Carnitas with Boston butt will have a great taste and will quickly saturate your body.
Pulled pork tacos toppings
To make delicious pulled pork tacos you should think about toppings. Mexicans consider braised pork, taco tortilla, crispy chopped cilantro, and avocado cream to be the perfect combination. This is the optimal idea for creating comfort food.
However, you can experiment and add other fillings to enhance the taste. Add crispy cabbage for freshness, cream cheese for tenderness, and lemon or orange juice for sourness. Such fillings will perfectly complement the spicy pulled pork.
Pork carnitas tacos with spicy slaw
Cabbage goes perfectly with tacos. To make such a recipe, prepare all the necessary ingredients:
- pork shoulder – 2 kg
- onion – 1 piece
- vegetable broth – 100 ml
- salt and pepper – to taste
- green onion – 1 stalk
- lime juice – 1 tablespoon
- olive oil – 1 tablespoon
- tortilla – according to the number of servings
- champignons – 150 grams
- garlic – 5 cloves
- dry red wine – 1 tablespoon
- Greek yogurt – 1 tablespoon
- red cabbage – 1 piece
- carrots – 1 piece
Step-by-step technology of preparation:
- Put the fried pork shoulder, chopped mushrooms, chopped onion and garlic in a slow cooker.
- Add vegetable broth and red wine and season with salt. Cook for 5 hours at a low temperature.
- Make a sauce from Greek yogurt, salt, pepper and spices.
- Thinly slice the cabbage and green onions. Peel the carrots and cut into strips.
- Mix lime juice, apple cider vinegar and olive oil in a small bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Preheat your favorite tortillas on the stove. Put a portion of meat, Greek yogurt sauce and cabbage salad on them.
Mexican carnitas with pork
This is a classic recipe that you can easily repeat at home. Prepare the necessary ingredients:
- tortilla – the required amount
- pork – 300 grams
- tomatoes – 2 pieces
- chili pepper – 1 piece
- bell pepper – 1 piece
- onion – 1 piece
- garlic – 2 cloves
- cotija cheese – 150 grams
- dry spices – to taste
- salt – to taste
Step-by-step cooking technology:
- Finely chop the meat. Chop onion and pepper into thin rings. Finely chop the garlic.
- Cut tomatoes and chili peppers into large slices, chop them into puree with a blender.
- Fry the onion and garlic for a couple of minutes. Add the meat and fry for another 10 minutes.
- Next – bell pepper and tomato puree. Add salt and your favorite spices to taste. Simmer the meat with vegetables for another 10 minutes.
- Put grated cheese and meat with vegetables on each tortilla. Roll the tortilla with the filling in half. Fry the carnitas in a grill pan on both sides.
Tacos with beef carnitasÂ
Pork is not the only meat suitable for carnitas. You can boil beef for a long time and make it soft and tender meat. To make this recipe, prepare the necessary ingredients:
- beef – 600 grams
- lime – 2 pieces
- tortilla – according to the number of servings
- a mixture of spices in the Mexican style (coriander, cumin, cumin, chili)
- tomato, cucumber, onion, cilantro – optional
- salt and sugar – to taste
- hot sauce – 4 tablespoons
Step-by-step technology of preparation:
- Heat the spices in a frying pan. Add lime juice and a few spoonfuls of hot sauce.
- Marinate the meat in the resulting mixture for several hours.
- Light the grill and fry the meat on both sides for a few minutes.
- In a heat-resistant container, mix water, two tablespoons of hot sauce and marinade from the meat, add the juice of one lime, salt and sugar.
- Put the meat in a container, cover with a lid and send it to the grill for indirect heat for 3 hours.
- Take out the meat, divide it into fibers. Wrap everything in pita and add vegetables.
Carnitas sandwich recipe
You can put carnitas meat not only in a flatbread, but also in a sandwich bun. This recipe is perfect for gatherings with friends. To repeat it, prepare the necessary ingredients:
- pork steak – 300 grams
- of sandwich rolls – according to the number of servings
- of cilantro – 25 grams
- of chili pepper – to taste
- red onion – 1 piece
- soy sauce – 200 ml
- lime fresh – 50 ml
- paprika, oregano – to taste
- garlic – 4 cloves
Technology of preparation:
- Place the pork steak in a slow cooker for 6-8 hours. Cook in water and spices.
- Fry the vegetables in a frying pan 10 minutes before the end of cooking.
- Split the cooked meat into fibers.
- Brush the buns with olive oil, place the carnitas and fried vegetables there.
How to serve carnitas at a party
Carnitas is a great dish for a party. However, how to present it correctly and in an original way? Consider the following options:
- Corn tortillas. They perfectly hold heavy fillings like pork, and also go well with the meat taste.
- This is an interesting way to serve carnitas. Mix the chopped lettuce, chopped cilantro, sour cream, pico de gallo and grated cheese in a bowl.
- Cucumber salad. The sweet taste of this dish will perfectly harmonize with carnitas meat.
When choosing how to serve carnitas to a party, the main thing to remember is convenience and compactness. Also, all additional dishes for serving should be in separate bowls for each guest.
What to eat with carnitas Â
This Mexican street fast food goes well with French fries, various salads, and tortilla chips. Refried beans (black beans) are also a good option. The protein flavor is well suited for pork roast and corn tortillas.
Also don’t forget about taco salads in burrito bowls. Chefs recommend paying special attention to the sauces with which you will eat carnitas. Here a good combination would be mango salsa, salsa verde, and taco dip.
Drinks to serve with carnitasÂ
When choosing a side dish for carnitas, do not forget about suitable drinks. They will help to fully reveal the taste of the Mexican dish. Pay attention to fast food drinks: Coca Cola, juices, and other carbonated lemonades.
They help to better digest heavy and dry meat food such as burgers, burritos and tacos. On the Mexican national holiday Cinco de Mayo, carnitas is traditionally served with carbonated drinks.
Also you can use the usual juices if you want to carry your dish with vitamin C and vitamin A.
Spices for crispy pork carnitasÂ
To improve the taste of carnitas, do not forget to add suitable spices. Professional chefs recommend the following mix: black pepper, coriander, cumin, oregano, basil, fennel, paprika, turmeric, and bay leaves.
You can also spice up the dish with vegetables: jalapeno, and red onions. In order for the pork to be saturated with spices, you can pre-marinate it or boil it with spices in a crock pot (instant pot).
This method of cooking allows pork to absorb spices for a long time from braising liquid.
Main tips
It is very difficult to identify one carnitas recipe creator, due to the fact that this dish is spread throughout Mexico.
Now chefs all over the world love to cook such a dish and share tips that will help you to cook carnitas quickly and how to serve it successfully. Among them:
- Carnitas contains high nutrition calories. Serve the dish with lemonade, which accelerates the digestion of food.
- Cook carnitas in a slow cooker or slow cooker. The main task is to boil the meat thoroughly for a long time.
- If your tortillas with carnitas have cooled down, just place the dish on a baking sheet and cook in the oven for 5-7 minutes.
- If you want to make the dish more tender, serve carnitas with queso dip.
Closing
Carnitas is a great dish to serve on any holiday or just for a family dinner. You can add various toppings there and serve with salads, French fries and various drinks.
The main task in cooking carnitas is to stew meat for a long time in a slow cooker or a frying pan with a thick bottom.
Don’t be afraid to experiment and surprise your friends and family with this excellent Mexican fast food!