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Carnitas may taste complicated but can be easily made with a good recipe and a quality slow cooker. If you love pulled pork, you're definitely going to want to try the spicier Mexican version. In this crispy carnitas recipe, you get the best of both worlds. With a golden crisp on the outside and tender meat on the inside, you'll have everyone asking for a second helping.
Start with the Marinade
Carnitas demands for the pork to be soaked through with the right ingredients:
- Oregano
- Cumin
- Onion
- Orange juice
- Lime juice
- Garlic
- Bay leaves
- Salt and pepper
This meal really needs time to absorb its flavors. Otherwise, you might as well just make pulled pork sandwiches. The citrus in the recipe, in this case from oranges and limes, will help the meat get that tenderness you crave while the sugars from the soda will help the pork eventually caramelize and crisp up the edges. Use pork shoulder or pork butt to get the best results.
Wait a While
Ideally, it takes up to 10 hours for your slow cooker to transform all the ingredients into the carnitas you'll be dying to eat by the time you walk through the door after a long day at work. Once it's done, remove and shred the pork with a fork, but keep the liquid in the slow cooker. You can transfer the pork to a greased baking sheet, season with a cup of liquid from the slow cooker, and then broil on high for five to 10 minutes.
Serve the Way You Like It
Some people enjoy their carnitas in a burrito with rice, beans, and cheese. Others want it in a salad, topped with sliced avocado and corn. If you have any leftovers, carnitas are perfect as a frozen pizza topping or as a complement to mac and cheese.
There are plenty of places to get carnitas near Phoenix apartments, but there's something valuable about making it yourself. If you want a new kitchen to step up your cooking skills, consider Element at Deer Valley. Contact us today to see how we encourage our community to live their best lives.