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    Home » Recipes » Mains

    Published: Apr 24, 2015 · Modified: Aug 26, 2015 by Bridget · This post may contain affiliate links · 15 Comments

    Carnitas Tacos - Slow Cooked & Delicious

    Carnitas Tacos

     

    Carnitas tacos...

    Fall-apart-tender chunks of pork, sprinkled with cheese, drizzled with salsa and wrapped up in a nice corn tortilla.  Add a couple of friends and a few beers (or margaritas!) and you've got yourself a fiesta!

    I recently discovered Amy Wisniewski's Carnitas recipe on Chow.com, and I'm so thankful I gave her recipe a try.  It's my new favorite recipe for carnitas tacos.

    The recipe was part of Chow's collection of "No Fail Mexican Favorites," and they're pretty accurate in their description.  It would be a challenge to mess up this recipe!

    Of course, I couldn't resist throwing in a few chipotle peppers.  The spicy, smokey flavor of chipotle goes really well with the pork.

    So fire up the stove, call up a few friends and have yourself a delicious fiesta featuring these carnitas tacos!

     Enjoy!

    Carnitas Tacos - Fiesta Worthy!

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    Carnitas Tacos - Fiesta Worthy!
    Serves 12
    Prep time 15 minutes
    Cook time 3 hours
    Total time 3 hours, 15 minutes
    Meal type Main Dish
    Slightly adapted from recipe on Chow
    Authentic Carnitas Tacos. Chipotle-seasoned pork, slow cooked for tenderness. Add tortillas, cheese and salsa, share with friends and enjoy a tasty fiesta!

    Ingredients

    • 3lb boneless pork shoulder (cut into 2-inch cubes -- leave the fat on!)
    • 1 heaped tablespoon dried marjoram
    • 1 Tablespoon coriander seeds
    • 1 Large bay leaf
    • 1 Medium white onion (quartered)
    • 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (these are spicy -- add or reduce amount to taste)
    • 2 Teaspoons kosher salt
    • corn tortillas (this amount of pork should make about 12-18 tacos)
    • taco condiments of your choosing (e.g., cheese, salsa, lime quarters, cilantro, fresh diced onion, lettuce, sour cream)

    Note

    Carnitas Tacos are an easy and tasty addition to your menu rotation!

    The aroma wafting through your house while the pork is cooking will have everyone's attention.  Delicious!  I found some "spice pouches" awhile ago and use those instead of cheesecloth to hold the loose seasonings.  But cheesecloth tied with butcher's string works just as well.  My recipe is adapted from Amy Wisniewski's easy recipe on Chow.com. For a casual fiesta-type gathering, consider serving these carnitas tacos along with Carne Asada, Jalapeno Poppers and Creamy Jalapeno Dip.  Quench your thirst with this unique Spinach Margarita.  

    Enjoy!  -- The Recipe Wench

    Directions

    Step 1
    Place cut pork, onions, chipotle peppers and salt in heavy-bottom pot.

    Add just enough water to cover the meat.

    In a piece of cheesecloth, tie up the marjoram, coriander and bay leaf.

    Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Using a large spoon, you can skim off any foam that floats to the surface.

    Continue cooking at a simmer (adjust heat if you need to) for about 2.5 hours or until pork is tender and starting to pull apart.
    Step 2
    Remove the cheesecloth packet as well as the onions and large chipotle pepper pieces.

    Increase the heat and cook until the remaining water evaporates.

    Reduce heat to low and continue cooking the pork, allowing it to "fry" in the rendered fat.

    Cook until meat is browned on all sides (about 20 minutes).
    Step 3
    Serve on warm corn tortillas with your choice of toppings!

    Be sure to share!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Meeta says

      March 09, 2016 at 1:15 pm

      I have never actually made carnitas at home. But this looks incredible time to get that slow cooker back out again!
      Reply
      • Bridget says

        March 10, 2016 at 9:37 pm

        I know what you mean -- when we lived in San Diego, I'd just go down the street for carnitas or carne asada. Once we moved to Italy, though, all Mexican food was up to me. Either make it or go without! I have to say, it's pretty nice to make your own carnitas -- plus you know exactly what's going into them and exactly the quality of the pork!
        Reply
    2. Priya Shiva says

      March 09, 2016 at 12:46 pm

      Lovely recipe! I'm sure these tacos will taste awesome!
      Reply
      • Bridget says

        March 10, 2016 at 9:34 pm

        Oh they definitely do!
        Reply
    3. Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says

      March 09, 2016 at 12:37 pm

      Oh my husband would absolutely love this! Will have to share this with him, looks easy enough for him to manage too :)
      Reply
      • Bridget says

        March 10, 2016 at 9:34 pm

        Hahaha! It's easy enough for my husband too, but he always just lets me take care of it!
        Reply
    4. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says

      March 09, 2016 at 11:36 am

      You can't go wrong with tacos, and always the spicier the better for me!
      Reply
      • Bridget says

        March 10, 2016 at 9:33 pm

        I completely agree!
        Reply
    5. Kavey {KaveyEats.com} says

      March 09, 2016 at 11:32 am

      Always good to find this kind of failsafe recipe, and I love slow cooked meat!
      Reply
      • Bridget says

        March 10, 2016 at 9:32 pm

        Slow cooking truly is magical!
        Reply
    6. Lorelai says

      May 06, 2015 at 7:59 am

      Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty - We hope to see you again next week! ~Lorelai Life With Lorelai
      Reply
    7. Mila says

      May 05, 2015 at 4:20 pm

      I love everything mexican and slow cooked, so that's perfect meal for me :) Thanks for sharing! Mila (Idea Box)
      Reply
      • Bridget says

        May 05, 2015 at 4:38 pm

        Thanks for stopping by Mila!
        Reply
    8. Kate @KateMovingForward says

      April 27, 2015 at 4:07 am

      I love getting carnitas at a restaurant but never had thought to make it myself! This looks like a simple way to make it at home. :D
      Reply
      • Bridget says

        April 27, 2015 at 8:21 am

        I never had to make it myself either .... until we moved to Sardinia, Italy and there was no Mexican food to be found! Like "necessity" being the mother of invention, "serious cravings" are the mother of get off the couch and make it yourself! Thanks for stopping by!
        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Bridget! So glad you're here! I'm a former legal secretary, now wife, mother, grandmother and full-time blogger. My husband Jeff and I live in Colorado with our doggies. My favorite things are family, doggies, gardening and cooking!.

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