Carnitas first Attempt

[TiminTN]

I finally found a Mexican entree I like! Going to see if the recipe I found on line works out. Will know tomorrow. Going low and slow in the crock pot. Submerged in lard. Self inflicted heart attack...lol. 2 chopped onions, 2 chopped jalapeño peppers, oregano, salt, pepper, cumin. 6 oz minute maid 100% orange juice. I will tear it apart after it tries to melt off the bone and sear it in a black skillet, and make flour tacos.

 

[Tenntrapper]

I finally found a Mexican entree I like! Going to see if the recipe I found on line works out. Will know tomorrow. Going low and slow in the crock pot. Submerged in lard. Self inficted heart attack...lol. 2 chopped onions, 2 chopped jalapeño peppers, oregano, salt, pepper, cumin. 6 oz minute maid 100% orange juice. I will tear it apart after it tries to melt off the bone and sear it in a black skillet, and make flour tacos.

Forgive my ignorance, but what is the meat?

 

[Popcorn]

Made friends with a H2A Farm worker who brought me carnitas last weekend made with pork ribs and a lot of garlic plus everything mentioned above, he made a sauce with tomatillos, avacado, onions and jalapeños!
Dang that was good!

All I have ever had was made with chunks of Boston butt till now.

 

[younggun308]

One of the best dishes there is.

 

[Lt.Dan]

Forgive my ignorance, but what is the meat?

Pork. Not sure what cut. It's good stuff.

 

[Chiflyguy]

I finally found a Mexican entree I like! Going to see if the recipe I found on line works out. Will know tomorrow. Going low and slow in the crock pot. Submerged in lard. Self inficted heart attack...lol. 2 chopped onions, 2 chopped jalapeño peppers, oregano, salt, pepper, cumin. 6 oz minute maid 100% orange juice. I will tear it apart after it tries to melt off the bone and sear it in a black skillet, and make flour tacos.

Never seen them made that way.
Always fried in lard first then in a Dutch oven.
Let us see the finished goods.
In my 30 years of being a maintenance guy in Chicago food plants, a lot of my co workers were Mexicans.
On Saturdays, Carnitas with homemade tortillas were a tradition. Sittin in the break room with Mi Amigos eatin taycos.
Most Mexican Grocery stores sold them.
The more dangerous neighborhoods, the better the Carnitas.
The years I worked in the Brighton Park neighborhood, I gained about 10 lbs.
They never sent the Gringo.

 

[TiminTN]

Forgive my ignorance, but what is the meat?

5# pork butt, sorry.

 

[Chiflyguy]

5# pork butt, sorry.

Got one in the freezer.
Just waiting for some cooler weather.
Then it's on like Donkey Kong.

 

[backyardtndeer]

I buy my carnita seasoning from Sam's club. I usually use the ends of pork loins, and slow cook in the crock pot. Good stuff.

 

[TiminTN]

Looking and smelling very promising!! Fork sinks in real easy!

 

[JCDEERMAN]

@TiminTN - you finally found a Mexican dish you like? I could eat Mexican every day . Let us know how it turns out

 

[Tenntrapper]

I don't think I've ever had carnitas. Based on how you are cooking them, is it like duck confit...but with pork?

 

[TiminTN]

I don't think I've ever had carnitas. Based on how you are cooking them, is it like duck confit...but with pork?

Trapper, I never had duck confit, so not sure

 

[TiminTN]

@TiminTN - you finally found a Mexican dish you like? I could eat Mexican every day . Let us know how it turns out

I guess it's the sides at Mexican that get me. Same rice, lettuce, beans. I am a fan of the Chipotle shrimp

 

[Tenntrapper]

Trapper, I never had duck confit, so not sure

Neither have I, but I know it's duck cooked in its own fat....very slowly.

 

[TiminTN]

She came out falling apart tender. No way it was staying together. I ate a pinch, was unreal tender but needs more spice. I will strain and save contents of the lard, and place it all in a big black skillet and sear it.

 

[TAFKAP]

I finally found a Mexican entree I like! Going to see if the recipe I found on line works out. Will know tomorrow. Going low and slow in the crock pot. Submerged in lard. Self inflicted heart attack...lol. 2 chopped onions, 2 chopped jalapeño peppers, oregano, salt, pepper, cumin. 6 oz minute maid 100% orange juice. I will tear it apart after it tries to melt off the bone and sear it in a black skillet, and make flour tacos.

They're awesome. I've always just browned a boneless pork shoulder, then left it in a 275° oven all day, in a covered cast iron pan. It's never required additional fat. But I love sizzling the done meat on a griddle to char it up a bit.

 

[backyardtndeer]

I don't think I've ever had carnitas. Based on how you are cooking them, is it like duck confit...but with pork?

First time I had carnitas was from some I bought from Sam's club. It's a seasonal item there that they sell under their members mark brand. We liked it enough that when they didn't have it anymore, I bought carne asada seasoning to make my own carnitas. While it's not exactly the same, it's very close. I don't use any lard when I make it, still falls apart with a fork.

 

[TiminTN]

Mine has been hand shredded and reclaimed the lard back to its bucket to get to actual drippings, And is now in the oven on high broil with drippings. Getting close!!

Finished product!

 

[Tenntrapper]

Mine has been hand shredded and reclaimed the lard back to its bucket to get to actual drippings, And is now in the oven on high broil with drippings. Getting close!!

Finished product!

How do you serve that? Like a taco, burrito, etc?