Carnitas

Carnitas pulled pork takes minutes to prep and is great in tacos, bean burritos, quesadillas, chimichangas, and more!

We love to have delicious pulled pork carnitas with some of our favoritesides, including corn tortillas orhomemade Flour Tortillas,Mexican Rice, orMexican Street Corn.

What is Carnitas?

Carnitas is pork cut into smaller sections and then slow-cooked. In fact, carnitas translates to “little meat”. It’s seasoned with citrus and other delicious spices.

The meat becomes permeated with flavor and is fall apart tender, making it beyond delicious.

Carnitas are aMexicanversion of pulled pork. It is flavored with delicious spices, but isn’t spicy – perfect for Cinco de Mayo or any fiesta!

This porkcarnitas recipe is delicious alone, in a simpleFlour Tortilla, served inTacos,Burritos, overNachos, or in aQuesadilla.

Best Meat for Carnitas

Best cut of meat.Choose a well-marbled cut of pork. The more marbling, the more tender and juicy the shredded pork will be. Pork roast, pork shoulder, pork tenderloin, pork butt, and boneless pork ribs are all great choices.

How much to make.Plan to buy ⅓ to ½ pound of pork per person. That may seem like a lot, but remember that the pork will lose some of its weight while cooking.If using bone-in pork, purchase a larger amount to compensate for the weight of the bone.

Keep the pork warm in the crock pot or chafing dish while serving. This pork also freezes well so go ahead and stock up.

How to Make Carnitas

Slow cooker carnitas is easier to make than you think!!

SEASON.Begin by making the rub in a small bowl and set it aside.

Dry pork butt and rub garlic salt and pepper all over it. Put rub ingredients on pork butt and place in a slow cooker, with the fat side up.

Add minced garlic, onion, and jalapeno. Top with lime and orange juices.

COOK.Cook on HIGH for 6 hours or LOW for 9-10 hours. Let cool for 20 minutes before shredding making sure to discard any big chunks of fat.

Make it crispyusing the broiler in the oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Spread the pulled pork evenly over the baking sheet and broil on the top rack until golden brown and crisp.

Carnitas Instant Pot Instructions

To quickly make juicy, fall-apart shredded pork use an Instant Pot.

• Cut larger pork roasts into 2-4 sections (depending on the size) and place them in the pot.
• Add the other ingredients.
• Seal the lid and make sure the valve is set to “sealing”.
• Select “manual” and set it for 60 minutes. (Double check your pots user manual for specific timing)
• Once done, allow the pressure to release naturally, this will take about 10 minutes. Remove the valve and allow the pressure to finish releasing.
• Remove the lid and take out the pork. It should already be falling apart. Finish shredding the pork and serve.

Storing Info

STOREleftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 4 days.

FREEZEin an airtight container in the freezer for 2-3 months.

Reheat.Thaw and warm it up in the crock pot or oven until hot. Be sure to include the drippings in the storage containers. The liquid will help keep the meat moist and flavorful.

与Ca服务rnitas

Carnitas make tasty tacos topped withsalsa, cheese, sour cream, avocado, tomato, or any of your favorites.

There are so manysideoptions that go great with this recipe! Here are some of our favorites:

• Refried Beansor Black Beans
• Mexican Street Corn
• Homemade Flour Tortillas
• Pico de Gallo
• Homemade Spanish Rice
• Cilantro Lime Rice

Recipe FAQ

For more Mexican dishes, check out:

• Cafe Rio Shredded Chicken
• Flautas
• Steak Fajitas
• Loaded Nachos
• Chicken Chimichangas
• Carnitas Tacos