Carnitas
Carnitas are a famous Mexican dish containing shredded pork that can be put into burritos, tacos, spread on tortillas, or made into a sandwich. This is traditionally prepared using boston butt, or an upper shoulder of pork and then slowly cooked for several hours, and sometimes then shredded and finished off in the oven, depending upon the recipe being used. It can be served in several fashions such as putting them in tacos or tortillas and adding sour cream, tomatoes, beans and lettuce. It can also be served with just the pork meat on a plate with some bread. There are different approaches and recipes for this dish. One place to find different recipes for preparing this dish is at Allrecipes.com.
Pork of Choice
Recipe for Carnitas are traditionally made with pork. The most commonly used cut is Boston butt or picnic ham, both cuts that are heavy marbled. These roasts come from the upper and lower sections of the shoulder. Use 6 to 10 pounds, depending on how many your cooking for. Season heavily before slow cooking 8 - 10 hours. By this time the collagen in the meat has broken down allowing the meat to be easily pulled apart.
Carnitas with Married to a Mexican
This video is a step by step guide to one way of cooking and preparing carnitas. The cook shows how to first get sear on the pork butt meat, then add seasonings with commentary throughout the cooking and shredding process of this pork recipe.
References
Fast Facts
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Pre-soaked in broth first for tenderness.
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Served with salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.
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Can be made in a crockpot or slow Cooker.
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One tip is to first sear the outside of the meat in a pan to lock in flavors.
