15 Leftover Carnitas Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How long does leftover carnitas last? ›

Store your leftover carnitas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about three days or in the freezer for about three months.

Carnitas are so versatile, you can fill any burrito, taco, quesadilla or use it as a topping for nachos! Include them in a salad like this Chipotle Carnitas Salad, or serve them with the typical onion/cilantro topping typically seen served in Mexican food trucks, or a good Guacamole or Pico De Gallo.

The milk acts as a tenderizer, a secret I learned while growing up watching dad make his carnitas which, by the way, were always exceptionally tender. The beer gives the pork another layer of flavor, while the cinnamon, which pairs so well with pork, adds warm, earthy tones.

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.

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.

Most Mexicans eat their carnitas in tacos, although this may vary depending on the state. What all Mexicans seem to agree on is that carnitas is better consumed with sauces and condiments. Cilantro, onion, cheese, lime and “pico de gallo” are some of the usual additions to your carnitas taco.

Skip the chorizo, fried fish, and carnitas (fried pork or beef), which are higher in unhealthy saturated fat.

When ready to heat up, fry the shredded carnitas in 2 tablespoons of oil to heat through – until piping hot (and lovely and crispy). Warm the cooking liqueur through in a pan or in the microwave and spoon some or all of it onto the carnitas once they crisped up.

A surprising ingredient here, sweetened condensed milk, helps the pork caramelize during cooking. Source a well-marbled pork roast for this recipe; the extra fat doubles down on the rich pork flavor.

Do you eat carnitas with flour or corn tortillas? ›

SERVE CARNITAS TACOS WITH TRADITIONAL GARNISHES

First of all, you need a tortilla to place the amazing carnitas into. You can use corn or flour (we love corn, but that's up to you). Gently heat the tortillas before serving.

Lots of home recipes for carnitas attempt to solve this problem by replacing the lard with a liquid, usually a combination of stock and orange juice.

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. Up to 2 Days Ahead: Make the Roasted Tomato-Cashew Salsa and Habanero Jam; store in the fridge.

What is Al Pastor? Al Pastor is a traditional Mexican dish made with seasoned and marinated pork. The name translates to “Shephard Style,” which is derived from the origin of the cooking method. Although al pastor is a Mexican meat, the style of cooking is an original of the Lebanese.

Sell by – This creates an easy date for the retailer to know when the product has to be removed from their shelf and disposed of instead of being sold. In general, consumers have one to three days to use that meat product if it is fresh before there would be concern from a safety standpoint.

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away.

Store the carnitas in a container in the fridge. When ready to serve them, sear them with the reserved fat until browned and crispy. See the FAQ section of this recipe for serving ideas.

Pulled pork can be consumed and eaten safely for up to 4 days when stored in the fridge, according to the USDA. However, this time frame may vary depending on how it was stored and whether it was cooked properly.