Have you ever wondered what carnitas means and what makes this Mexican dish so darn delicious? You've come to the right place! Here's everything you've ever wanted to know about carnitas and how to make it at home.
What Is Carnitas?
Carnitas, which means little meats in Spanish, is a Mexican pork dish. It is made by braising or simmering an inexpensive, heavily marbled cut of pork, such as boneless Boston butt, pork shoulder, or picnic ham, with seasonings and lard for several hours until it is tender enough to be shredded. The meat is then roasted to make it crisp.
Carnitas can be enjoyed on its own with salsa and sides, or used as a filling for tacos, burritos, or enchiladas.
Braised Carnitas vs. Barbacoa
Carnitas is made from pork, while barbacoa is made from beef, usually from the beef cheeks, and originated in the Caribbean. The word barbecue actually comes from barbacoa.
Barbacoa can be prepared in different ways. In the United States, it generally refers to spicy slow-braised beef that has been marinated in adobo seasoning and cooked until fork-tender and pulled apart.
Carnitas vs. Pulled Pork
Both carnitas and pulled pork are cooked slowly for several hours and are great to make in a slow cooker or instant pot. However, unlike pulled pork, carnitas are finished by roasting the meat in the oven until it is browned and crisp.
Carnitas vs. Carne Asada
Carne asada is a dish made of thin strips of beef, such as sirloin or rib, that are marinated in lime juice and other seasonings, then grilled. It takes much less time to make compared to carnitas, but like carnitas, it is also a popular filling for tacos or burritos.
What Is in Carnitas Seasoning?
The ingredients in ready-to-use carnitas seasoning are very similar to adobo seasoning. They typically include a mix of salt, black pepper, onion or onion powder, oregano, cumin, garlic or garlic powder, chili powder, and additional lime juice.
How to Make Carnitas
Now that you know all about carnitas, it's time to try making it yourself! Here are a few top-rated carnitas recipes to get you started:
Crispy Pork Carnitas
Carnitas are cubes of fragrantly spiced pork slowly cooked in lard until they're crispy on the outside while 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.
Zesty Carnitas Tacos
Pork shoulder is slow-cooked, shredded, and served in soft corn tortillas with shredded cabbage, onion, pico de gallo, and lime crema.
Orange and Milk-Braised Pork Carnitas
The milk braising beforehand seems to give the meat a little extra succulence, says Chef John. the subtle sweetness from the orange is also very nice.
Tex Mex Ultimate Carnitas Grilled Cheese
Carnitas, avocado, and cheese are layered between thick slices of bread and grilled with more cheese on the outside of the bread in this ultimate tex-mex grilled cheese, says Julie Hubert.
Pressure Cooker Carnitas
This can be easily adapted to a slow cooker, but the pressure cooker really seals in the flavor and cuts down on cooking time, says yellowpairs. perfect for taco bars! all the leftover broth from the pressure cooker is packed full of flavor, great as a starter for chile verde, and freezes well. serve carnitas with white corn tortillas, guacamole, and pico.
Slow Cooker Carnitas
Carnitas means 'little meats' and is traditionally fried and then braised, says Erin Parker. this recipe is made much easier using the slow cooker, but the results are just as tasty. this makes a great filling for tamales, enchiladas, tacos, and burritos. this filling is also great combined with your favorite barbecue sauce and served on buns.
Simple Carnitas
This is the easiest recipe for tasty carnitas, says Ken from CA. once cooked, the meat can also be shredded and mixed with bbq sauce for incredible pulled pork sandwiches, or pan-fried in a little oil until crisp on the outside.
Why Is Carnitas So Good?
Carnitas are beloved for their tender, juicy, and flavorful meat. The slow cooking process allows the pork to become incredibly tender, while the roasting step gives it a crispy exterior. The combination of seasonings, such as salt, black pepper, oregano, cumin, and garlic, enhances the taste of the meat and adds depth of flavor. Whether enjoyed on its own or as a filling in various dishes, carnitas never fail to satisfy the taste buds.
Now that you know all about smoked carnitas, you can appreciate why this Mexican pork dish is so popular. The tender and flavorful meat, combined with the crispy exterior, makes it a truly delicious culinary experience. Whether you enjoy it on its own or as a filling for tacos, burritos, or enchiladas, smoked carnitas are sure to impress your taste buds. So why not try making them at home with one of the top-rated recipes mentioned above? You won't be disappointed!
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