18 Best Mexican Carnitas Recipe You Won't Believe The Taste!
Published on: Mar 6, 2024
If you're a fan of Mexican cuisine, then you know that carnitas is one of the most mouthwatering and flavorful dishes out there. This crispy and tender pork dish is a staple in Mexican households and is a must-try for anyone looking to expand their culinary horizons. But finding the perfect recipe for authentic Mexican carnitas can be a daunting task. That's why we've compiled the best Mexican carnitas recipe that will satisfy your cravings and impress your taste buds.
Main Ingredients: Pork Shoulder, Cold Water, White Onion, Orange, Lard
Carnitas, a classic Mexican dish, is a delicious and flavorful way to prepare pork. It involves slow braising the meat until it becomes tender and then shredding it into bite-sized pieces. This method of cooking creates a rich and succulent dish that can be used in a variety of ways. From tacos to salads, there are endless possibilities with carnitas. Here are 20 mouth-watering beer can chicken recipes that showcase the versatility of this beloved Mexican dish.
This recipe for authentic Mexican carnitas is a must-try for any carnitas lover. It calls for traditional ingredients like pork shoulder, garlic, cumin, and oregano, and is slow-cooked until the meat is tender and falls apart. The result is a perfectly seasoned and juicy pork that can be used in tacos, burritos, or on its own with some sides. It's a crowd-pleasing dish that will transport your taste buds straight to Mexico.
For a simple and easy take on carnitas, try this recipe that only requires four ingredients - pork, orange juice, garlic, and salt. The orange juice adds a subtle sweetness to the meat, while the garlic adds a nice depth of flavor. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
For a more authentic and traditional version of carnitas, check out this recipe. It calls for marinating the pork in a flavorful mixture of spices and herbs before slow cooking it to perfection. The result is a tender and flavorful pork that will have your taste buds dancing. Serve it up in tacos or on top of a salad for a satisfying and delicious meal.
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Mexican Carnitas Cobb Salad
Main Ingredients: Chili Powder, Cumin, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder
Looking for a healthier way to enjoy carnitas? Try this Mexican carnitas cobb salad. It features all the classic ingredients of a cobb salad, like avocado, bacon, and blue cheese, but with the addition of juicy and flavorful carnitas. It's a great way to incorporate more veggies into your diet while still enjoying the deliciousness of carnitas.
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Slow Cooked Mexican Carnitas
Main Ingredients: Pork Shoulder, Orange Peel, Garlic, Onion, Crushed Red
If you have a slow cooker, then this recipe is a must-try. It's incredibly easy - just throw all the ingredients into the slow cooker and let it do all the work. The result is tender and juicy carnitas that will be the star of any meal. Serve it up with some rice and beans for a complete and satisfying meal.
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Slow Cooker Mexican Carnitas
Main Ingredients: Boneless Beef Chuck Roast, Salt, Black Pepper, Olive
This recipe for slow cooker Mexican carnitas is another easy and delicious way to enjoy this classic dish. The pork is slow-cooked in a flavorful blend of spices and citrus juices, resulting in a juicy and flavorful meat that can be used in a variety of ways. Serve it up in tacos, burritos, or on top of a salad for a tasty and satisfying meal.
This recipe for Mexican pork carnitas is a great way to switch things up from the classic beef or chicken tacos. The pork is cooked in a mixture of spices and herbs, resulting in a fragrant and flavorful dish that will have your taste buds singing. Serve it up with some warm tortillas and your favorite toppings for a delicious and authentic Mexican meal.
Main Ingredients: Pork Butt, Salt, Pepper, Ground Cumin, Onion, Bay
This recipe for authentic pork carnitas is a true crowd-pleaser. The pork is slow-cooked in a mixture of spices and citrus juices until it becomes tender and falls apart. The result is a juicy and flavorful dish that can be used in a variety of ways. From tacos to burritos to nachos, there's no limit to what you can do with this delicious pulled pork.
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Pork Carnitas
Main Ingredients: Pork Butt, Salt, Pepper, Ground Cumin, Onions, Bay
This simple and easy recipe for pork carnitas is a great way to satisfy your craving for Mexican food. The pork is cooked in a blend of spices and orange juice, resulting in a tangy and delicious dish. Serve it up in tacos, burritos, or on top of a salad for a tasty and satisfying meal.
This recipe for Mexican pulled pork, also known as carnitas, is a flavorful and juicy way to enjoy pork. The pork is marinated in a blend of spices and then slow-cooked until it becomes tender and falls apart. The result is a delicious and versatile dish that can be used in a variety of ways. Serve it up in tacos, burritos, or on top of a salad for a delicious meal.
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Mexican Pork Carnitas Tacos
Main Ingredients: Pork Shoulder, Salt, Pepper, Chili Powder, Cumin
Tacos are a classic way to enjoy carnitas, and this recipe for Mexican pork carnitas tacos is a must-try. The pork is marinated in a delicious blend of spices and herbs before being slow-cooked to perfection. Serve it up in warm tortillas with your favorite toppings for a tasty and satisfying meal.
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Mexican Street Tacos- Carnitas!
Main Ingredients: Pork Shoulder, Sea Salt, Cumin, Ancho Chili Powder
For a taste of authentic Mexican street food, try these carnitas street tacos. The pork is slow-cooked with traditional spices and herbs, resulting in a fragrant and flavorful dish. Serve it up with some warm tortillas, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime for a delicious and authentic meal.
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Mexican Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas Tacos
Main Ingredients: Pork Shoulder, Lime Juice, Coarse Sea Salt, Ground
If you're short on time but still want to enjoy the deliciousness of carnitas, try this recipe for Mexican slow cooker pork carnitas tacos. The pork is slow-cooked in a blend of spices and citrus juices, resulting in a tender and flavorful meat that can be used in a variety of ways. Serve it up in tacos, burritos, or on top of a salad for a delicious and easy meal.
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Slow Cooker Carnitas (Pork Carnitas)
Main Ingredients: Pork Butt, Chili Powder, Ground Cumin, Dried Oregano
This recipe for slow cooker carnitas is a great way to make a large batch of this tasty dish. The pork is slow-cooked with traditional spices and herbs until it becomes tender and falls apart. The result is a juicy and flavorful meat that can be used in tacos, burritos, or on top of a salad for a delicious and satisfying meal.
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Mexican Carnitas Tacos {Electric Pressure Cooker}
Main Ingredients: Salt, Garlic Powder, Ground Cumin, Dried Oregano
If you have an electric pressure cooker, this recipe for Mexican carnitas tacos is a must-try. The pork is cooked in a blend of spices and citrus juices until it becomes tender and falls apart. The result is a juicy and flavorful meat that can be used in a variety of ways. Serve it up in tacos, burritos, or on top of a salad for a delicious and easy meal.
This recipe for Mexican cornbread is a tasty and unique way to enjoy carnitas. The pork is mixed into the cornbread batter and baked until golden and crispy. Serve it up as a side dish or as the main event with some toppings like salsa and sour cream.
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Instant Pot Crispy Carnitas
Main Ingredients: Pork Roast, Fine Sea Salt, Freshly Cracked Black
If you have an Instant Pot, this recipe for crispy carnitas is a must-try. The pork is cooked in a blend of spices and herbs until it becomes tender and falls apart. Then, it's crisped up in a pan for added texture and flavor. Serve it up in tacos, burritos, or on top of a salad for a delicious and easy meal.
What's a Mexican meal without some rice? This recipe for Mexican rice is the perfect side dish to accompany your carnitas. It's flavorful and fragrant, and the perfect way to round out your meal.
For a taste of authentic Mexican street food, try these carnitas street tacos. The pork is slow-cooked with traditional spices and herbs, resulting in a fragrant and flavorful dish. Serve it up with some warm tortillas, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime for a delicious and authentic meal.
Ingredients for the Best Mexican Carnitas Recipe
1. Pork Shoulder
The star of the show is the pork shoulder, also known as pork butt or Boston butt. This cut of meat has the perfect balance of fat and meat, making it ideal for slow cooking and creating tender carnitas. Make sure to get a boneless and skinless pork shoulder for this recipe.
2. Citrus Fruits
The secret to achieving the tangy and zesty flavor of authentic Mexican carnitas is the use of citrus fruits. We recommend using a combination of orange, lime, and grapefruit for a well-rounded flavor. The acidity of the fruits also helps to tenderize the meat, making it more succulent.
3. Spices and Seasonings
To add depth and complexity to the dish, we'll be using a variety of spices and seasonings. This includes cumin, oregano, bay leaves, and garlic. These ingredients are essential in Mexican cuisine and will give your carnitas a delicious and authentic flavor.
4. Lard or Oil
Traditionally, carnitas are cooked in lard, which adds a rich and savory flavor to the dish. However, if you don't have lard on hand, you can use a neutral-flavored oil like vegetable or canola oil.
Instructions for the Best Mexican Carnitas Recipe
1. Cut the pork shoulder into large chunks, about 2-3 inches in size. Season generously with salt and pepper.
2. In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat the lard or oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the pork chunks in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Do this in batches if needed.
3. Cook the pork for about 5-6 minutes on each side, until browned and crispy. Remove from the pot and set aside.
4. In the same pot, add the citrus juices and scrape off any browned bits from the bottom. This is where the flavor is! Add the spices and seasonings, along with the pork chunks.
5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 2-3 hours, until the pork is tender and easily falls apart.
6. Once the pork is cooked, remove it from the pot and shred it using two forks.
7. In a separate pan, heat some oil over medium-high heat and add the shredded pork. Cook for a few minutes until the edges get crispy.
8. Serve the carnitas in warm tortillas with your favorite toppings, such as diced onions, cilantro, and salsa.
Final Thoughts
This recipe for the best Mexican carnitas is a crowd-pleaser and will have your taste buds dancing with delight. The tender and flavorful pork, combined with the tangy and zesty citrus juices, makes for a mouthwatering dish that will transport you straight to Mexico. So, grab your ingredients and get cooking to impress your family and friends with this authentic Mexican carnitas recipe.
