Ever hear of carnitas? They're easy-to-make pork crisps that are very popular in Mexico. The secret to this recipe is the quick frying. Be sure the meat is well drained before it's placed in oil, though, or it will splatter and pop. —Patricia Collins, Imbler, Oregon
Can you freeze Mexican Carnitas?
Freeze cooled pork mixture in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Fry meat in batches as directed until crispy and brown. Serve as directed.
Ingredients
- 1 boneless pork shoulder butt roast (3 to 4 pounds), cut into 1-inch cubes
- 6 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Pepper to taste
- 3 large oranges, divided
- 1 large lemon
- Oil for frying
- 12 flour tortillas (8 inches), warmed
- Optional toppings: Chopped tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, sliced green onions, sour cream and avocado slices
Directions
- Place meat in a medium-size roasting pan. Sprinkle with garlic and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper. Squeeze the juice from one orange and the lemon over the meat. Slice the remaining oranges and place over the meat.
- Cover and bake at 350° for about 2 hours or until meat is tender. With a slotted spoon, remove meat and drain well on paper towels. Heat a small amount of oil in a skillet and fry meat in batches until browned and crispy.
- Serve warm in tortillas with toppings of your choice.
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