Food Network Crock Pot Carnitas Recipe Recipe Cards

CARNITAS

Steps:

• Cut the pork into 4 pieces and place in a deep pot. Add the water to the pot, cover, and cook over medium-high heat until the meat is tender, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove the pork from the pot and chop into bite-sized pieces.
• Warm the flour or corn tortillas. Spread some of the beans on each tortilla and top with some of the pork. Squeeze a wedge of lime over each tortilla. Add the cilantro, onion, salsa, and avocado.

CARNITAS

Steps:

• Cut the meat, with the fat, into 1-inch cubes. Barely cover the meat with water in a heavy wide pan. Add the salt and bring to a boil, uncovered. When the liquid reaches a boil, lower the heat, and continue to cook until all the liquid has evaporated. At this point, the meat should be cooked through but not falling apart.
• Lower the heat a little more and continue cooking the meat until all the fat has rendered out of it. Keep turning the meat until it is lightly browned all over. This entire process should take about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
• Remove the meat and set aside.
• Drain all but 2 tablespoons of the oil and heat over medium low heat. Add the onions and saute until translucent. Add the garlic, reserved meat, and chile powder. Cook for a few minutes more, stirring constantly. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
• Serve with corn tortillas and Tropical Avocado Salsa.
• To make tropical salsa, combine all ingredients together in a medium bowl and stir well. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.

PORK CARNITAS

Steps:

• Set a multi-cooker to the Saute setting and add the oil.
• Sprinkle the cubed pork generously with salt and pepper. Sear the pork in batches on all sides until well browned. Remove to a plate, add the onions and poblanos and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the oregano, cumin, chile powder and garlic and continue to cook for an additional minute.
• Add the lemon-lime soda and orange zest and juice. Return the pork pieces and any liquid that is on the plate to the multi-cooker. Cover and position the vent to the Sealing setting. Set the multi-cooker for High Pressure, use the Manual button to adjust the cook time to 25 minutes and cook. When the time is up, allow the multi-cooker to sit for an additional 10 minutes.
• Preheat the broiler.
• Carefully release the remaining pressure by switching the vent to Venting. Let the steam vent until the float valve has dropped, then remove the lid. Remove the pork mixture with a slotted spoon to a baking sheet and shred the pork with 2 forks.
• Place the baking sheet under the broiler and crisp the carnitas for 2 to 3 minutes. (Watch carefully to prevent burning.) Remove from the oven, ladle some of the juices from the pot over the carnitas and carefully toss. Serve alongside the warm tortillas with peach salsa, Easy Queso and fresh cilantro leaves.
• Combine the cheese, the whole can of tomatoes and chiles and the jar of pimientos with their liquid in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the cheese is fully melted, 5 to 7 minutes.

CARNITAS

Steps:

• Toss the pork with 2 teaspoons of salt. Transfer to a 6- to 7-quart Dutch oven or pot along with the oil, oregano, red pepper, cloves, garlic, bay leaves, lime juice, orange peel and onion. Cover with 4 to 5 cups of water. Bring to a high simmer, then reduce the heat to low, partially cover the pot and simmer gently, checking occasionally to give it a stir, until the pork is tender and just beginning to fall apart, about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Fish out the bay leaves and orange peel. (The pork will not look super-attractive at this point but don't panic!)
• Remove the lid and increase the heat to medium-high. Simmer vigorously, stirring frequently, until all of the water has evaporated, leaving only the oil, and the pork has browned and begun to fry slightly at the bottom of the pot; continue to cook, scraping up the bottom of the pot frequently to release the fried bits, 30 to 40 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the pork from any remaining oil in the pot.
• Serve with tortillas and suggested toppings to make tacos.

COCA-COLA CARNITAS

Steps:

• Sprinkle the pork on all sides with the garlic powder and plenty of salt and pepper.
• Heat the pork fat over medium-high heat in a small, heavy Dutch oven or braiser (see Cook's Note). Add the pork and fry on all sides until well browned, about 20 minutes. Add the Coca-Cola and 1/2 cup water (there should be just enough liquid to cover the sides of the meat). Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Add the tarragon, bay leaves and thyme. Cover and simmer until the pork is tender, about 1 1/2 hours; the Coca-Cola will caramelize and the liquid will evaporate completely.
• Transfer the pork to a cutting board and shred. Serve with warm corn tortillas (charred over a flame) and toppings on the side: salsa verde, diced onions, cilantro, radishes, lime wedges and avocado.

SLOW-COOKER PORK CARNITAS

Steps:

• Add the chicken broth, orange juice, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, oregano, red pepper flakes, cloves, and 2 teaspoons kosher salt to a large slow cooker and whisk to combine. Add the onion, garlic and bay leaves and stir to combine. Add the pork and toss to coat. Cover and cook on high until the meat is tender, about 5 hours.
• Transfer the pork to a large bowl with a slotted spoon and discard the bay leaves, onion, and garlic. Shred the pork into bite-size pieces with 2 forks, leaving some larger chunks, and season with salt and pepper.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the lard in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add half the shredded pork and press down into an even layer with a spatula. Cook, pressing occasionally with a spatula, until crisped and browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and cover with foil to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining 2 tablespoons lard and shredded pork.
• Serve with tortillas, cilantro, jalapenos and pickled red onions.
• Put the sliced onions in a medium heatproof, nonreactive bowl. Put the vinegar, orange juice, lime juice, bay leaves, sugar, coriander and 1 tablespoon kosher salt in a small saucepan and whisk to combine. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook, whisking occasionally, until the sugar dissolves, about 1 minute. Pour the mixture over the red onions and set aside until cooled to room temperature. Serve at room temperature or cover and refrigerate up to 4 days.

PORK CARNITAS

Steps:

• Rinse and dry the pork shoulder. Salt and pepper liberally. Mix the oregano and the cumin with olive oil and rub all over pork. Place the pork in a slow cooker and top with the onion, garlic, and jalapeno. Squeeze over the juice of the orange and add the two halves. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high 4 hours.
• Once the meat is tender, remove from slow cooker and let cool slightly before pulling apart with a fork. In a large saute pan, heat the vegetable oil over high heat. Press the carnitas into the oil and fry until crusty on one side. Serve.

INSTANT POT CARNITAS

Steps:

• In your Instant Pot, or in a saute pan over medium heat on the stovetop, heat the oil until shimmering and brown the pork on all sides, working in batches if needed. (Transfer the pork to the Instant Pot if you browned it on the stovetop.).
• Add all the remaining ingredients. Place the lid on the pot, turn the pot to the "sealing" position, and select Manual mode and set the time for 20 minutes. Once it finishes cooking after 20 minutes, allow the Instant Pot to manually release for 20 minutes.
• Take off the lid (if the steam valve hasn't dropped, make sure you move the steam value away from "Sealing"). Let the pork cool slightly, then use two forks to shred the meat. It may look like you have way too much liquid, but it will absorb it after you shred the pork.
• Once shredded, use the pork however you like. I like to toast a few tortillas and top them with the pork, pineapple salsa, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Carnitas make a great salad topping, and are also excellent mixed into rice, in a sandwich (try it! trust me!), or reheated until crispy and served with eggs and hot sauce and avocado.
• Note: If the pork is too liquid-y even after shredding and sitting, transfer it to a large pan and cook it on the stovetop until some of liquid evaporates. This is also an excellent way to get the meat golden and crispy (you can also spread it on a sheet pan and broil it for a minute or two)-for tacos and salads, I like to take this extra step to get those crunchy edges.

CROCK POT 'CARNITAS'

Steps:

• Combine pork, onion, jalapeno, orange peel and soda in a crock pot.
• Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
• Uncover and shred the meat using 2 forks.
• Serve on flour tortillas and top with pico de gallo, if desired.
• For Pico de Gallo:.
• Combine all ingredients in a small bowl, seasoning to taste with salt and pepper.
• Cover and refrigerate until ready to use; Makes 1 1/2 cups.
• Note: Also, up to 2 teaspoons each of fresh minced garlic and dried oregano can be added to taste.
• The carnitas can be served rolled into flour tortillas or in taco shells.
• Topping options include pico de gallo, guacamole or shredded cheese with a bit of taco sauce.

THE BEST EVER SLOW COOKER CARNITAS

Steps:

• Mix cumin, garlic powder, oregano, coriander, kosher salt and ground black pepper together in a small bowl to make a dry rub. Pat the pork shoulder roast or boston butt dry with paper towels, and then cover roast with dry rub.
• Place the pieces of onion and the bay leaf in the bottom of your slower cooker, lay the roast on top. Carefully pour the chicken stock or the water around the roast, taking care not to wash away the dry rub. Cook on low for 6 hours or until the pork easily falls apart.
• Once the pork is easily falling apart, remove from slow cooker to cool. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking liquid. Remove and discard the excess fat, shred the remaining pork.
• Place the reserved cooking liquid in a large non-stick skillet with shredded pork. Cook over medium high heat until the liquid is absorbed, tossing the pork occasional to coat.
• Once the cooking liquid is absorbed, add the oil and crisp up the carnitas to your desired doneness. We like our extra crispy, usually about 14-18 minutes.
• Serve with your favorite taco fixings, like corn or flour tortillas, cilantro, lime, shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, sour cream and cheese.

CROCK POT CARNITAS

Steps:

• Add hot chicken broth to crock pot.
• Add spices and lime juice to crock pot and mix well into chicken broth.
• Add pork to crock pot.
• Cover and cook on High for 4 to 6 hours or until most of water is reduced and a thick gravy like sauce forms.
• Shred meat and mix into thickened cooking sauces.

INSTANT POT OR SLOW COOKER PORK CARNITAS

Steps:

• Slow cooker method:.
• Place pork in slow cooker. Pour in chicken broth, orange juice, and lime juice.
• Sprinkle in salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, coriander, chili powder, cayenne pepper, onions, and garlic.
• Cover and cook on low heat for 8 hours.
• Leave liquid in slow cooker, remove pork and shred with 2 forks.
• Spray a rimmed 18x13 inch baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray (I use butter wrappers instead from my butter cubes).
• Place pork on baking sheet, pour over 1 cup reserved broth (try and strain out onions when lading broth), drizzle with oil and toss and spread into an even layer.
• Position oven rack near broiler and preheat broiler to high.
• Broil until pork is browned and crispy in places about 3 to 6 minutes.
• Serve warm with tortillas and desired toppings.
• Instant Pot method:.
• Cut pork into 4 chunks and place pork in Instant Pot, pour over chicken broth, orange juice, and lime juice.
• Sprinkle in salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, coriander, chili powder, cayenne pepper, onions, and garlic.
• Cover and seal lid (make sure valve is set to sealing position), press manual or high pressure, and select 60 minutes.
• Once cooking is done, let pressure come down naturally for 10 minutes then use quick release method to release any remaining cooking pressure.
• Once steaming has stopped, remove pork from pressure cooker while leaving broth in pressure cooker.
• Shred pork and proceed with broiling method above.
• Instant Pot method will take approximately 80 minutes plus 10 minutes prep.

CARNITAS

Steps:

• Cut off any big pieces of fat from the pork and put them into a wide, heavy saucepan or frying pan. Cut the pork into strips about 1 1/2 inches long and 3/4 inch wide. Add the pork to the pan with the garlic, orange zest, orange juice, and 2 teaspoons sea salt. The meat should be in a single layer, if possible. Add water to barely cover the meat and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to medium low, cover partially, and cook, stirring occasionally, until all of the liquid has evaporated, about 1 hour. If the meat is not yet fork tender, add a bit more water and continue cooking.
• Uncover the pan and continue cooking the pork until all the fat is rendered and the meat is browning in the melted fat, 10-15 mintues longer. There is usually enough melted fat in the pan, but if necessary, add the 1 tablespoon oil. When the meat is brown and crisp, using a slotted spoon, transfer it to a colander and let any excess fat drain away.
• Immediately transfer the pork to a warmed serving bowl. Accompany with the warm tortillas to make tacos: slather each tortilla with the guacamole and the salsa. Serve with the refried beans and or rice on the side.

CARNITAS

Steps:

• grind the bay leaves,thyme and marjoram to a fine powder.
• cut the pork into 2 inch cubes,marinate with the spice powder over night,minimum 2 hours.
• mix all the salsa ingredients,cover and chill until needed.
• heat the lard in a big pot,add the marinated pork cubes,with orange wadges,garlic and onion,brown the pork cubes on all sides.
• discard the onion and garlic,cover the pot,cook over low heat for about 1.5 hours.
• discard the oranges and cook uncovered until all the meat juices have been absorbed and the pork cubes are crispy outside and tender inside.
• serve with flour tortillas and the salsa.