Serving up Mexican Pork Carnitas

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Description

Mexican Pork Carnitas are a version of pulled pork. The succulent strings of pork are folded into or piled onto homemade corn tortillas. This deliciousness awaits you!

In the west, Mexico is the popular winter destination for fun in the sun. With winter vacation closer to home for me I thought serving up Mexican Pork Carnitas might just be the next best thing.

Serve Pork Carnitas for a regular dinner or host a Mexican Fiesta. Create a culinary adventure and be sure to include the making of homemade corn tortillas part of the fun. The job is way easier with a tortilla press but making them takes a bit of practise. Be sure everyone gives it a try and you may just find, or create, a tortilla making expert.

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Seasoning Pork Carnitas

Carnitas simply means ‘little meats’ and there are endless recipes offering different way to season it. Some suggest cooking the meat with nothing other than oranges and milk while others include spices and Mexican Coca-Cola. The Coke in Mexico is made from cane sugar instead of corn syrup and has a slightly different taste (or so they say). I’m sharing this recipe made with regular grocery store Coke and it’s perfect for my everyday style of cooking.

Cooking The Meat

I’ve made pork carnitas both in the oven and in an old-fashioned Crock Pot (AKA slow cooker). Both methods are simple and I’m sure it would also be easy in an Instant Pot,  I just don’t have one. In this recipe I’ve included instructions for both the oven and slow cooker methods. For my everyday palate I think the taste is going to be about the same.

Pulling Pork

Pulling Pork Carnitas

Pulling Pork for Mexican Pork Carnitas -photo credit Jim Little

The typical method of pulling pork is to use two forks. When the meat is warm (that is the key) and perfectly cooked this is simple. Just get in there with a fork and start pulling, you’ll see why it’s called pulled pork. The job takes a bit of time so plan accordingly. The meat can be pulled and then set aside and reheated many hours later or even the next day. If you like kitchen parties time the meat to be done just as guests arrive and designate some carnivore to do this job.

Close up of pulled pork for Pork Carnitas

Close up of pulled pork for Pork Carnitas -photo credit Jim Little

Do you want the meat soft or crunchy, you get to decide. Some people prefer the meat soft and succulent just as it was pulled. Others love to brown the meat after it is pulled creating crispy, caramelized bits of deliciousness. On the night we made these Pork Carnitas that’s what we were going for.

Homemade Corn Tortillas

Authentic corn tortillas are made with masa harina and we love the unique aroma and taste. With a bit of effort you can set yourself up for making these and you will be rewarded over and over. Once you’ve done it a few times it becomes pretty easy to whip up eight or sixteen tortillas. I describe my step-by-step process in this post on how to make Corn Tortillas.

Gluten Free Masa Harina made into balls

Masa Harina made into balls for corn tortillas -photo credit Jim Little

Making corn tortillas from masa harina

Making corn tortillas with masa harina in a cast iron tortilla press -photo credit Jim Little

Just pressed gluten free corn tortillas ready to be fried.

Corn Tortillas made with Masa Harina -photo credit Jim Little

Topping Pork Carnitas

The final dish is as individual as you but I encourage you to resist the urge to top these with your usual taco toppings. Some say Pork Carnitas must be topped with only chopped white onion and fresh cilantro, so of course we tried that. I intentionally made small tortillas so we could experiment with different topping combinations. I served a selection like this:

  • -Diced avocado or avocado crema
  • -Homemade chipotle mayo (which just happened to be in a squeeze bottle in my fridge)
  • -Diced tomato or prepared salsa
  • -Minced white onion
  • -Lime wedges
  • -Chopped cilantro
Mexican Pork Carnitas served with chopped white onion and cilantro

Mexican Pork Carnitas -photo credit Jim Little

Let me know in the comments below if you tried these Pork Carnitas and if you made fresh corn tortillas.

 

Ingredients

3-4 lb boneless pork shoulder (butt end), cut into large chunks
1 Tbsp oregano
1 Tbsp cumin
1 Tbsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 large onion, quartered
8 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
finely chopped zest of 1 or 2 oranges
¾ cup orange juice (about 3 oranges)
¼ cup lime juice (about 2 limes)
¾ cup regular Coke or Mexican Coca-Cola
2 bay leaves
TOPPINGS - minced white onion, lime wedges and chopped cilantro

Directions

1
OVEN METHOD - Preheat oven to 300°F.
2
While oven is heating brown meat on the stove. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, browning on all sides in batches. Transfer to large bowl as it browns.
3
Add oregano, cumin, salt, pepper, onion, garlic, orange zest, orange juice, lime juice, Coke and bay leaves to the meat. Gently mix.
4
Transfer mixture to large baking dish with high sides, or 2 smaller ones. Cover with foil and bake for 3 hours, or until very tender.
5
To check for doneness remove one piece of pork. If it easily pulls apart with a fork it’s done.
6
While still warm, pull the meat using 2 forks. This can be done right in the baking pan or in another dish. When finished stir meat with the pan juices.
7
Can be done in advance and reheated.
8
Serve with corn tortillas and toppings of your choice.
9
SLOW COOKER METHOD
10
Place meat in a large bowl.
11
Add oregano, cumin, salt, pepper, onion, garlic, orange zest, orange juice, lime juice, Coke and bay leaves. Gently mix then transfer to a slow cooker.
12
Cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 5-6 hours.
13
To check for doneness remove one piece of pork. If it easily pulls apart with a fork it’s done.
14
Transfer the meat to a large dish with sides. Pour the liquid into a bowl or large measuring cup and set aside.
15
While still warm, pull the meat using 2 forks.
16
Preheat broiler.
17
Transfer the meat to a baking sheet or large baking dish. Pour half the liquid over the meat and gently toss.
18
Broil meat until nice and crispy, 5-10 minutes. Add more of the liquid if desired.
19
Serve with corn tortillas and toppings of your choice.

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Ingredients

Directions
  • 3-4 lb boneless pork shoulder (butt end), cut into large chunks
  • 1 Tbsp oregano
  • 1 Tbsp cumin
  • 1 Tbsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1 large onion, quartered
  • 8 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
  • finely chopped zest of 1 or 2 oranges
  • ¾ cup orange juice (about 3 oranges)
  • ¼ cup lime juice (about 2 limes)
  • ¾ cup regular Coke or Mexican Coca-Cola
  • 2 bay leaves
  • TOPPINGS - minced white onion, lime wedges and chopped cilantro
  1. OVEN METHOD - Preheat oven to 300°F.
  2. While oven is heating brown meat on the stove. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, browning on all sides in batches. Transfer to large bowl as it browns.
  3. Add oregano, cumin, salt, pepper, onion, garlic, orange zest, orange juice, lime juice, Coke and bay leaves to the meat. Gently mix.
  4. Transfer mixture to large baking dish with high sides, or 2 smaller ones. Cover with foil and bake for 3 hours, or until very tender.
  5. To check for doneness remove one piece of pork. If it easily pulls apart with a fork it’s done.
  6. While still warm, pull the meat using 2 forks. This can be done right in the baking pan or in another dish. When finished stir meat with the pan juices.
  7. Can be done in advance and reheated.
  8. Serve with corn tortillas and toppings of your choice.
  9. SLOW COOKER METHOD
  10. Place meat in a large bowl.
  11. Add oregano, cumin, salt, pepper, onion, garlic, orange zest, orange juice, lime juice, Coke and bay leaves. Gently mix then transfer to a slow cooker.
  12. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 5-6 hours.
  13. To check for doneness remove one piece of pork. If it easily pulls apart with a fork it’s done.
  14. Transfer the meat to a large dish with sides. Pour the liquid into a bowl or large measuring cup and set aside.
  15. While still warm, pull the meat using 2 forks.
  16. Preheat broiler.
  17. Transfer the meat to a baking sheet or large baking dish. Pour half the liquid over the meat and gently toss.
  18. Broil meat until nice and crispy, 5-10 minutes. Add more of the liquid if desired.
  19. Serve with corn tortillas and toppings of your choice.