15 Leftover Carnitas Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How many pounds of carnitas to feed 30 people? ›

Making a big batch of carnitas is a great way to feed a crowd. Boneless pork butt loses about half of its weight during the cooking process. For a party, you want to plan for about ⅓-1/2 pound of pulled pork per person.

FREEZING: You can also freeze carnitas meat right after you pulled it. Portion meat into freezer bags, let all air out and seal. Label, date, and freeze them.

The orange juice in the cooking liquid provides acidity that helps break down the meat so it's extra tender and juicy.

Carnitas are a popular Mexican dish made with seasoned and slow-cooked pork, typically served in tacos, burritos, or on its own. If cooked and stored properly, carnitas can last for up to 4-5 days in the fridge.

As Nancy said, carnitas can be a dish by itself, or as an ingredient in tamales, tacos (made with two tortillas so they don't tear apart) or tortas. Depending on where you eat them, they can be served with chopped cilantro, diced onion, salsa, guacamole, tortillas, refried beans, lime and/or radishes.

This can vary however, I recommend 1/3 lb per person or 2 pork carnitas tacos per person.

About four pounds is enough to serve eight to 12 people once the meat is cooked. You can easily make a half batch, but carnitas freeze extremely well, so think about making the full order!

So to determine the exact amount needed, use this simple equation: Number of guests x 0.33 (minimum) - 0.75 (maximum) pounds of pulled pork per person = weight of pulled pork required. Based on these calculations, preparing 7 to 15 pounds of pulled pork should be enough pork.

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.

Up to 3 Days Ahead: Braise the Double-Pork Carnitas; cover and chill in the braising liquid and rendered fat. The flavor gets better with time.

Can you leave carnitas overnight? ›

It's even pretty good refrigerated overnight – but a) is definitely better. Keep the juices separate and pour it over just before reheating the pork. You can reheat in the microwave, quickly reheat in the pan or if you have loads, in a foil covered roasting pan in the oven at 180C/350F for around 8 – 10 minutes.

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.

I've made carnitas many times using a completely different method and it turned out pretty good. But it is important to note that the traditional way to make carnitas is by slow cooking it in lard. I think it also gives it a more authentic taste. Seasoning- Salt, Mexican oregano, cumin, & black pepper.

Carnitas is associated with festive occasions, and it's usually consumed during weekends, particularly on Sundays, the traditional “mercado”, or marketplace, day in Mexico. Carnitas vendors are a common, some would even say indispensable, sight at any tianguis (another word for marketplace!) in all states.

I use Pork Carnitas to make Enchiladas, Burritos, Quesadillas, Sliders, Mexican pizzas. I toss them into my Mexican Fried Rice (don't laugh, this is a firm favourite with many readers!), and I make Carnitas Plates – pile Carnitas over Mexican Red Rice with a side of Pico de Gallo or Guacamole, and steamed corn.

Try serving your carnitas with roasted or smoked vegetables like sweet potatoes, peppers and onions for something more unexpected. The sweetness of these veggies pairs well with the salty, savory flavor of the pork.

However, creamy tex-mex sauce is what I love to put on top of my pork carnitas tacos and pork carnitas sliders. It's such a great combination of a little spice with a lot of flavor, and I found it to be really great with the insanely delicious flavors of the tacos.

Pulled Pork. Both carnitas and pulled pork are cooked slowly for several hours, and great to make in the slow cooker or instant pot. Unlike pulled pork, however, carnitas are finished by roasting the meat in the oven until browned and crisp.