Pork Carnitas Food Truck Tacos are what you think of when you think of food truck tacos. With a pile of pork that is super-flavorful and unbelievably tender, with just a splash of salsa and a sprinkle of chopped onions and cilantro, they are stripped-down-to-the-basics taco perfection in every bite.
Photo is a Screen Shot from the Video
Pork Carnitas
Carnitas, literally meaning “little meats”, is a dish of Mexican cuisine originating from the state of Michoacán. Carnitas are made by braising or simmering pork in oil or preferably lard until tender – and the result is very tender and juicy meat, which is then typically served with chopped coriander leaves and diced onion, salsa, guacamole, tortillas, and refried beans.
Video Courtesy of Food Wishes YouTube Channel – Find the complete written recipe at Food Wishes
Pork Carnitas
Ingredients (Taken from the Video)
- 3 pounds boneless Pork Butt (Pork Shoulder), rind removed, cut into 2-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon Kosher Salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground Black Pepper
- 3/4 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground Cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon Chinese 5-Spice Powder
- 8 cloves Garlic, peeled and left whole
- 2 Bay Leaves, torn in half
- 1 Orange
- 1/4 cup Olive Oil
- Salsa (See Below)
- 1 Onion, finely diced
- Freshly chopped Cilantro
- Soft Tortilla Shells
- Several Limes, cut in wedges
Directions (Taken from the Video)
- Follow the demonstration on the video to cut up your pork butt.
- Place pork cubes in a mixing bowl.
- Preheat oven to 275°F.
- Add salt, pepper, cinnamon, cumin and Chinese 5-spice powder.
- Add bay leave and garlic.
- Grate off several slices of the orange peel and add.
- Slice the orange in 1/2 and juice the orange into the bowl.
- Add olive oil and mix well.
- Transfer to a 9 x 12-inch baking pan. Spread around evenly with a spoon.
- Place on a sheet pan and wrap very-tightly with heavy-duty foil.
- Bake at 275°F for 3 1/2 hours or until meat is fork tender.
- Remove from oven and set the oven to broil setting.
- Place a colander over a bowl and remove meat to the colander. Pour braising juice from baking pan over meat. It should collect in bowl underneath. Set juice aside.
- Transfer meat back into baking pan. Skim a little fat, 2 tablespoons or so, of floating fat from the braising juice in the bowl and drizzle over the meat.
- Place meat in oven and broil under high heat, for 5 minutes.
- Pull pan out and drizzle another 2 tablespoons of skimmed fat over meat.
- Place remaining reserved braising liquid into a sauce pan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat on the stove top. Reduce by 1/2.
- Broil meat in oven for another few minutes until the meat is nice and crispy. (See the video for the look – and sound! – you are going for.)
- Transfer meat to a serving dish.
- Drizzle reduced braising liquid over meat.
For your party, warm the pork carnitas and place it in a bowl. Place the salsa, cilantro and chopped onions in separate small bowls. Place the warmed tortilla shells and lime wedges on plates.
Let your guests make the tacos themselves or make them up as needed for them. Do not make the tacos in advance, as they will get cold and soggy.
To Make the Food Truck Tacos
- Place a tortilla on a plate or several tortillas into a taco rack.
- Place a few cubes of pork carnitas on top.
- Drizzle with salsa.
- Scatter a few onions and a pinch of cilantro on top.
- Squeeze a lime wedge over everything.
- Fold and Enjoy.
A printable version of the recipe can also be found HERE
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Original Video can be found at Pork Carnitas Recipe – Crispy Slow-Roasted Spiced Pork Recipe . Additional Information Courtesy of Wikipedia and is used by permission