The best precooked pork product I’ve ever tasted.

[Mosca]

I have a little trepidation putting this here; it affects my credibility as someone who makes things instead of reheating them.
But here goes. This is the first pork product I’ve ever had that has absolutely no hint of preservative or packaging taste, no “hamminess”.


Inside the carton, the product doesn’t sit loosely in the container; it is seriously vacuum-packed, in extra thick plastic, and the lard is visible in the bag. When reheated, you can smell the “crispness”. The pork is tender and juicy. The taste is honest. Out of the package it is mild, without much to distinguish it beyond basic charred meatiness; but could do worse in a restaurant, or even at home. You can also do better, of course, but that’s not the point; you can eat it as it comes, or you can customize it to your liking.

Here’s what it looks like the next day, before making carnitas migas. The congealed juices are a good sign, IMO:



And to reiterate: NO preserved pork taste like you get from packaged precooked ribs and the like. NO “hamminess”.

It is a limited time product. I bought it in late May with an expiration date in late August. We have another Sammy’s run today, I’m going to get a couple more to freeze because of that. Recommended.

https://www.samsclub.com/p/members-mark-pork-carnitas/P03011576

[STEbbq]

So, my takeaway is that both Costco executives (see burnt ends thread) and Sam’s Club folks are engaging in a war of the quality BBQ items available. I see this as a win-win scenario and I am willing to follow the careers of these BBQ club buyers with great interest.

Although, if Costco could bring back those awesome frozen potato skins they stopped carrying a few years ago, that would be great.

[dubob]

Mosca, Thanks for the education; I had no idea what carnitas or carnitas migas is. Now, I know. I'm thinking I need to get some lard and make some carnitas from some of my already prepared pulled pork. It won't be REAL carnitas, but I'm thinking it will come close? Yes? No? Maybe?

[Mosca]

I’ve never made carnitas. This is slow roasted pork that has been cut into chunks, but I think pulled pork would taste the same.

[jfmorris]

I fry up leftover pulled pork in a skillet and call it carnitas, and use it in tacos all the time. I don't even have lard, and use whatever oil I have, if it needs it. Sometimes the pulled pork out of the fridge has plenty of congealed fat in it.

[CaptainMike]

This is exactly what I do with leftover pulled pork. A couple of dashes of cumin, maybe a squeeze of orange, then sauté or broil to desired doneness. Not as good as "real" carnitas, but dang good nonetheless.

[smokenoob]

looks good! but, you lost me on what it is marketed as….if I missed it, please don’t flame me 😁

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

pork carnitas

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

Mosca some of us lazy folk like a quality premade meal, I personally think anything premade that folks from here post as being good should get bonus points...

[fzxdoc]

I saw that at Sam's Club the last time I was there, Mosca. I also saw they had a Birria version as well. I was skeptical and put both back. The next time I go, I'll give it a try.

In the meanwhile, the family visit that is forming on the horizon has put in a request for Kenji's Sous Vide Carnitas for one meal. I wonder if I can pass this Sam's Club alternative off on them. Anything to be able to spend more time with the two little grandgirls.

Thanks for the recommendation.

Kathryn

[Mosca]

It’s delicious, but pretty mild. You could definitely pass it off as home made, but I think you could also make better.

[rickgregory]

These don't look like actual carnitas. Tasting but not the same. Frankly, carnitas is not hard to make in a relatively traditional manner. It just takes time.

[jfmorris]

Ohhh.... birria! Now I gotta go to Sam's. Or do the work myself to make some beef birria in the dutch oven...

[Livermoron]

Hmmm...I'm going to have to give them a try...been chasing a good (easier) carnitas option...

[ssandy_561]

Great carnitas are my favorite protein. We once had a dive of a tacorito that had carnitas to die for. Grilled up a bit on their flat top with onions and served on a home made corn tortilla with their salsa verde, cilantro and a fresh squeeze of lime is still one of my favorite bites of all time.

[Michael_in_TX]

HEB carries similar stuff like this.....vacuum packed like you wouldn't believe. They are quite good and awesome for a quick tasty meal.

[rickgregory]

https://www.rickbayless.com/the-pork...asure-forever/ is the Rick Bayless recipe for carnitas. I like the idea of precooked stuff if you need it now and/or don't want to make carnitas, but it's really not hard to make

[jfmorris]

Hmmm. Adding this to my weekend Sam's run!

Another item you want to try if you see them at Sam's.... the "limited time" Members Mark Hatch Chili Cheese flavored peanuts:

https://www.samsclub.com/p/members-mark-hatch-chile-cheese-flavored-peanuts-20-oz/P03017992

I got a bag of them, and SWMBO and I gobbled them all down in a day or three... a mild to medium spice level that tasted so good that it has us planning to get a half dozen bags next trip. Just because it is "limited time"...

[Mosca]

Sam’s has gone all in on Hatch chiles! I just got some hatch Chile cheddar cheese, but I was completely overwhelmed by the sheer number of Hatch products. Very impressive.

[jfmorris]

Mosca yes - they have some hatch chili chicken sausages that I keep MEANING to try, but SWMBO then asks me why I need that.... and I sheepishly put it back...