Also, make sure to try our carnitas lettuce wraps, carnitas tacos, and our rotisserie chicken carnitas with jalapeño pineapple salsa! Authentic carnitas are made by cooking a fatty cut of pork (like pork shoulder) in lard. Since most of us don’t keep tubs of lard in our pantries (at least we don’t!) this recipe is made a little differently. Don’t worry, it is every bit as delicious. To make carnitas, rub a pork butt roast (pork shoulder) with some pantry-staple spices then put it into a pot with some lime and orange juice, a little garlic, and bay leaves. Then sit back and drink a fizzy lime margarita while you let the pot bubble away gently for several hours.
How to store leftovers
Leftover carnitas can be stored airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat them gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Carnitas also freeze very well! Store them in a freezer-proof container for up to 3 months. Option #1: Broil the carnitas in your oven. This is our favorite option. The meat gets beautifully crisp spots like authentic pork carnitas that have been simmered in lard for hours. The flavor is incredible. Option #2: Sear the carnitas in a pan on your stove. Stovetop carnitas is a good option in the summertime when turning your oven to broil would heat your home like crazy. It’s also a little faster. The carnitas are good this way, but not as good as the oven method. We find that the meat and sauce can easily burn before the meat crisps. We only recommend using this method as a backup plan if you don’t want to turn on your oven.
Warm corn tortillas Easy guacamole or our creamy avocado sauce Spicy Mexican rice Pico de Gallo Black beans or refried black beans Cabbage (Try tossing it in our shrimp taco sauce!)
Other ideas for using leftover carnitas
Top with eggs and salsa for breakfast Make a pork carnitas sandwich Turn them into enchiladas Use them to step up your nacho game Take a healthy approach and put some on top of salad greens Make pork carnitas tacos
Did you make this?
We love to see what you made! Tag @theendlessmeal or hashtag #theendlessmeal! This recipe is part of our Healthy Super Bowl Recipes series.
