Carnitas (Mexican Slow Cooker Pulled Pork) (2023)

FAQs

Are carnitas and pulled pork the same? ›

Carnitas are the Mexican version of pulled pork. It's traditionally made with pork shoulder (also known as pork butt) because of the higher fat content, which helps the meat stay super tender and juicy while it's cooked.

Yes, you can overcook carnitas in a crockpot. If you planned on cooking meat for a really long time, like 18+ hours, you would likely end up with overcooked meat that separated into really fine strands. I prefer cooking these on LOW so that the timeframe where they're cooked is more forgiving.

Pork shoulder roast: The best cut of meat for carnitas is pork shoulder AKA pork butt AKA Boston butt because it is well-marbled with fat and cooks up incredibly tender with a long braise. Large onion: A yellow, white, or red onion all work here.

Carnitas means “little pieces of meat,” and it's usually pulled pork shoulder cooked in lard. Originating from the state of Michoacán, it's a classic for tacos. A favorite at cookouts, carne asada is sliced beef made of skirt, sirloin, tenderloin or rib steak.

Carnitas are Mexico's version of pulled pork. It's the first thing you seek upon landing in Mexico.

Carnitas are Mexican pulled pork tacos, and it means "little meat" because the slow cooked meat is pulled apart and crisped by searing it in hot oil. This cooking technique makes this meat totally irresistible!

If you don't cook the connective tissue properly, it will be tough and rubbery. The connective tissue has to break down and literally melt away in the meat. This takes time. but when it's done, the meat should fall apart by itself.

Can you overcook the pork? It's hard to overcook the well-marbled and fatty shoulder cut. However, it can become mushy due to the acids in the sauce if the cooking continues too long beyond the recommended cook times. Make sure to keep an eye on the pork and take a bite for the best gauge of doneness.

Cover and cook on LOW (recommended) 8 hours or high for 4-5 hours, until pork is tender and shreds easily with a fork.

Traditionally, an authentic carnitas recipe is made by braising or simmering pork in lard or oil until tender. Where do carnitas come from? This is a dish of Mexican cuisine that originated in the state of Michoacán. Carnitas are made from pork shoulder (pork butt).

Do you cut the fat off for carnitas? ›

Traditional Carnitas

Trim away some of the excess fat from the pork butt, then cut it into 3-inch chunks. Set aside. Add lard and water to a cold stockpot or Dutch oven. Turn heat to medium-high.

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.

The word “carnitas” means “little meats” in Spanish. These three dishes are very similar, but have some differences. Barbacoa can be either shredded or chopped, birria is usually shredded and served with a sauce or broth, and carnitas is usually chopped.

The answer is that it depends on your personal preferences. Some people prefer the taste of Barbacoa because of its smoky flavor. Others prefer the taste of Carnitas because they find it to be more flavorful. Also, Carnitas are typically fried, giving them a crispy texture that's hard to resist.

Also known as hand-pulled or simply pulled pork, this type of meat is typically made with the Boston butt, which is a cut of meat taken from the pork shoulder. The cut is slow roasted and may be smoked with hickory or other woods. After cooking, the meat is pulled into small strips while it is still hot.

Mexican Shredded Beef, also known as Barbacoa, is an authentic Mexican dish made with chile seasoned beef. It is slow cooked until it is fall apart tender and so incredibly flavorful. It is perfect for loading into tacos, burritos, quesadillas and more!

Traditional Machaca is a Northern Mexican type of dried meat, often made from beef or pork. Slices or strips of meat are traditionally rubbed with simple spices and left outside to dry under the desert sun. After a few days of air-drying, the meat maintains a jerky-like taste and texture.

Chipotle says it stopped serving pork at hundreds of its restaurants after suspending a supplier that violated its standards. Chris Arnold, a spokesman for the Mexican-food chain, told The Associated Press it was the first time the company stopped serving a topping for its burritos and bowls.

Chipotle has had to take their deliciously calorific carnitas off the menu for an unspecified amount of time after a pork supplier was found to have violated their company standards.

What is the fake meat at Chipotle? ›

A new, craveable protein from Chipotle, Plant-Based Chorizo is certified vegan, packed with 16 grams of protein per 4oz serving, and is made without artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, grains, gluten, or soy. Chipotle's new Plant-Based Chorizo has the deep, rich flavor and a slight kick that chorizo fans crave.

Transfer everything to a large slow cooker and add a splash of liquid — water is great, but so is broth, apple juice, or beer if you have them handy. Cover and cook on low until the meat is tender and pulls apart easily.

When pulled pork isn't shredding, it could be because the meat didn't cook long enough. Cooking it too long, or attempting to rush the process by cranking up the heat, are two other common culprits. It's also important to use a reliable method for shredding the meat.

Additionally, spray chicken broth or apple juice on the meat to prevent it from losing more moisture in the crockpot. To add a strong flavor during the process, white wine can also be sprayed. You can shred the pork during smoking or in the crockpot.

Since you're planning on an 8-10 hour cook, you can flip the meat halfway through to get that effect all around. Flavor your added liquid generously, and be prepared to de-fat it when the pork is done, it will make for a great sauce.

Place the pork shoulder in your slow cooker and pour the marinade over the top. The roast doesn't need to be completely submerged in the marinade, just make sure the top is coated and that there's at least an inch of liquid in the bottom of the slow cooker. Close the lid and you're ready to go!

Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or on HIGH for 4-6 hours or until the pork shreds easily. Shred pork, and drain the liquid in the slow cooker insert. Return pork to slow cooker, and stir in barbecue sauce.

Results: The oven roasting method using the pork shoulder definitely yielded the best results. The flavour of the pulled pork was amazing and the texture wasn't grainy or spongy like the pork that was cooked in the slow cooker (probably because the tenderloin is a much leaner cut).

What is the best cut of meat for pulled pork? Pork shoulder is ideal for pulling purposes. It has an optimum fat content that yields to create tender, melty meat, but it's essential you cook it slowly to allow the protein to break down properly.

Step Two – Cook for 10 hours on low or 7-8 hours on high for larger roasts. If your roast is smaller, you can get away with 8-9 hours low or 6-7 hours high. The longer, the better for pulled pork; it will only get more tender.

Is chorizo and carnitas the same thing? ›

Carnitas – Juicy braised pork shoulder flavored with lots of herbs and seasoning, carnitas meat is re-cooked in an oven until crispy. Chorizo – This sausage is made from coarsely chopped pork and pork fat seasoned with salt and paprika seasoning. Chorizo can either be sweet or spicy.

The milk acts as a tenderizer, a secret I learned while growing up watching dad make his carnitas which, by the way, were always exceptionally tender. The beer gives the pork another layer of flavor, while the cinnamon, which pairs so well with pork, adds warm, earthy tones.

Meat Key Doneness Temps

The USDA's recommended minimum temperature for pork is 145°F (63°C), but the connective tissue needs to be heated to at least 160-170°F (71-77°C) to dissolve properly, and most smoked pork shoulders are pulled in the temperature range of 195-205°F (91-96°C).

When it is completely tender - meaning you can pretty easily pull it away from the bone - remove it to a large paper towel-lined pan. The carnitas are ready to eat - though they may not be as brown as you're expecting. (They will, however, take on more of a golden color as they begin to cool.)

Carnitas are so versatile, you can fill any burrito, taco, quesadilla OR use them as a topping for Nachos! Include them in a salad like this Chipotle Carnitas Salad! Serve them with the typical onion/cilantro topping typically seen served on Mexican food trucks OR a good Guacamole or Pico De Gallo!

The best side dishes to serve with carnitas are Mexican sopes, apple jicama slaw, calabacitas (creamy vegetables), pineapple pico de gallo, and Mexican pinto beans. For unusual but tasty accompaniments, try elote fritters, watermelon feta salad, poblano mac and cheese, or grilled avocado. What is this?

You can use corn or flour (we love corn, but that's up to you). Gently heat the tortillas before serving. TRICK: Turn on your grill or gas burner, and quickly heat them over the heat. You'll get a little char and warm them just enough, but don't over do it, or they will dry out!

If you are just after an alternative to pork, then chicken or smoked beef brisket can be a great option. A chuck or shoulder slow-cooked and smoked then shredded will give the same effect. The thigh can also be a similar texture to pork, but steer clear of breast or legs as they tend to be a bit stringy and dry.

What is the best cut of meat for pulled pork? Pork shoulder is ideal for pulling purposes. It has an optimum fat content that yields to create tender, melty meat, but it's essential you cook it slowly to allow the protein to break down properly.

Pork butt, also known as Boston butt or pork shoulder, is a cut of meat from the upper portion of a pig's front shoulder. It's a relatively inexpensive and forgiving hunk of meat that you'll most often see served as pulled pork in barbecue restaurants.

Is pulled pork better in slow cooker or pressure cooker? ›

Slow cooking the meat means it never has the chance to toughen up and will be extra silky and tender. Pressure cooking is faster, though you may lose a little bit of the tenderness.

For the best pulled pork, you want to cook the meat low and slow. Cooking at higher temperatures will give you a tough result that's difficult to shred. Slow cooking at low temperatures gives you a tender, succulent cut of meat that is perfect for shredding!

Best Liquid for Pulled Pork

In my opinion the best liquid to use in the crock pot with the pork butt is chicken broth. Beef broth can work too. You could use water which would be ok but when you use broth it just gives the meat so much more extra 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.

When it comes to making pulled pork, look for a boneless pork shoulder. Sometimes it's also called a pork butt or Boston butt. You can find bone-in pork shoulders, though I prefer a boneless pork shoulder for more meat in my slow cooker.

Cover and cook on LOW (recommended) 8 hours or high for 4-5 hours, until pork is tender and shreds easily with a fork.

If your pulled pork is dry, it's probably because it's overcooked. You can help the meat retain moisture by keeping it warm in a slow cooker, ideally with a bit of water or chicken stock added. To keep the pulled pork from drying out during storage, consume any leftovers within 3 days.

Pulled pork is an American barbecue dish, more specifically a dish of the Southern U.S., based on shredded barbecued pork shoulder. It is typically slow-smoked over wood (usually outdoors); indoor variations use a slow cooker.

Traditional barbecue pork or pulled pork is served with a sauce on the side. This tableside classic combination uses cider vinegar for sourness; brown sugar for sweetness, tomato for color; and cayenne for heat. There's also a bit of mustard, too. This sauce for pulled pork is so simple and easy to whip up.

The pork in the dish is cooked in such a way that it can be pulled apart in strands. These strands of meat are soft and succulent and can be mixed with a sauce or spices which it soaks up. It makes a very flavourful topping for a sandwich, wrap, but can also serve as a whole dinner.