15 Leftover Carnitas Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How long is leftover carnitas good for? ›

How to Store Carnitas. Store your leftover carnitas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about three days or in the freezer for about three months.

In addition to pork carnitas tacos, you can also eat carnitas as a filling for enchiladas, tuck them into a quesadilla, turn them into a burrito bowl, make an epic grilled cheese—there's pretty much no wrong way to enjoy them. Flavorful, But Not Overly Spicy.

In other regions of Mexico, people add their own special seasoning to this dish, such as condensed milk, garlic, chicken broth, co*ke, orange juice, and/or beer. Not only do these ingredients give the carnitas their distinctive golden-brownish color, but they also help tenderize the meat.

Why do you put orange juice in carnitas? The acidity of orange juice helps to break down the meat so it's meltingly tender and shreddable and adds flavor depth to the cooking liquid.

A) Package some of your carnitas for the freezer? If so, portion cooled shredded meat into freezer bags, along with a small container filled with a proportional amount of glaze. From a 4-lb roast, I can make two freezer meals and have one portion to eat right away.

USDA recommends using cooked pork within three to four days, kept refrigerated (40 °F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. USDA recommends using cooked leftovers within three to four days.

Most Mexicans eat their carnitas in tacos, although this may vary depending on the state. What all Mexicans seem to agree on is that carnitas is better consumed with sauces and condiments. Cilantro, onion, cheese, lime and “pico de gallo” are some of the usual additions to your carnitas taco.

Skip the chorizo, fried fish, and carnitas (fried pork or beef), which are higher in unhealthy saturated fat.

Traditionally, carnitas are served in tortillas and topped with cilantro, diced onion, salsa, and even guacamole. You can serve your pork carnitas with other toppings you may love such as: shredded cheese or crumbled cotija. jalapeño.

Coca-Cola Carnitas es muy delicioso! The sugar in the soda helps to caramelize the meat, and whatever else they put in the cola gives it that slight smokiness. Or maybe it's the smoked paprika that gives the smokiness.

Do you eat carnitas with flour or corn tortillas? ›

Tortillas – It is most traditional to use corn tortillas. However, you could use flour tortillas if that's all you have. Salsa – Salsa verde is the classic salsa to use. However, you can also use a regular salsa rojo or Pico de Gallo.

A surprising ingredient here, sweetened condensed milk, helps the pork caramelize during cooking. Source a well-marbled pork roast for this recipe; the extra fat doubles down on the rich pork flavor.

Typically, when you make pulled pork, you'll cook it in barbeque sauce or another acidic ingredient like vinegar, citrus, or Worcestershire sauce, which work to tenderize the pork. Now think about soda like any other marinade, working to help break down the meat for pull-apart results.

Oil: I use a high-heat cooking oil for recipe (usually avocado oil), but lard is also an option. Aromatics: Inspired by authentic carnitas from central Mexico, we use fresh orange, onion, garlic, a bay leaf, and a cinnamon stick.

The most common way to eat carnitas is by making a taco. If you are served carnitas along with tortillas on the side, take the tortillas and heat them up a bit. Then, take some of the carnitas and place it in the tortilla. Next, add some additional toppings like lime juice, onions, cilantro, and salsa.

The USDA recommends the following: Raw Pork should be used within three to five days or freezing it. Cooked pork should be consumed within three to four days.

"It's safe to say 'days' but not more than a week for most refrigerated produce, months to years for canned and dry goods in the pantry, and I would say to not go past the date in the fridge for meat/fish/poultry, but they can last three months with good quality and if properly stored in the freezer," Jones says.

Beef, veal, lamb and pork roasts, steaks and chops may be kept 3 to 5 days. After cooking, meat, poultry and seafood can be safely stored in the refrigerator 3 to 4 days.

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.