Fun With Carnitas

[Henrik]

Very cool. I've had several Carnitas, but haven't decided exactly how I should approach it if and when I try to cook it. This was def. a good start, with plenty of ideas and background info. I look forward to your explorations on the subject!!

[Panhead John]

How timely Jimbo! I was at the grocery store yesterday and actually picked up a pre-cut package of pork specifically for carnitas. I almost bought it but changed my mind. Think I’ll smoke me some up Sunday. I’m gonna follow most of what you did. Great job on the write up and pics!

[surfdog]

Yeah, I could totally destroy at least a half dozen of those.
Nice approach.

[MadBadger]

I have had the good fortune to have eaten carnitas in Quiroga (Michoacan, Mexico), that town is often considered the birthplace of carnitas. Even there they do them a bunch of different ways, there is a strip of mini-restaurants next to the town square where each place has it's own version...they are all delicious. They give out free samples too, so if you walk down the strip, you'll be full by the time you're at the end if you don't pace yourself. They seemed to all be frying them in lard in huge copper vats (Quiroga also produces a lot of copper products).

I make a version of carnitas that is basically a smoked pork butt that is then shredded up, leftovers are fried in oil the next day. My wife's family (all from Michoacan) say that it is a really good version of carnitas. They also point out that there is no one way to make carnitas, many different methods work and turn out great. A lot of recipes involve Coca Cola for instance.

[Red Man]

One of my favorite uses for leftover pulled pork is to make my version of carnitas. The fat from the pork is all that’s needed to get them crispy. I pull the pork, not shred it, so it’s a bit chunky. Fry it up in a hot cast iron skillet to get it nice and crispy. Serve on corn tortillas and top with onion, cilantro, avocado, green chiles, and a good salsa verde.

[FireMan]

The carnitas look outstanding! 👍👍👍

Now, what about the Dinosaurs? Coo-oool!

[mgaretz]

I do mine in a combination of the Instant Pot then use the air-fryer to crisp them up.

[Spinaker]

There are few things I love more than carnitas! Thank you for posting!

[ColonialDawg]

I've tried many a recipe but the one from Kenji at Serious Eats is my favorite so far.

No matter what you just can't go wrong with carnitas.

[Sweaty Paul]

Looks awesome and made me hungry again!