Carnitas

Get ready to savor authentic Mexican carnitas, slow-cooked to perfection and paired with a spicy tomatillo salsa. This dish combines tender pork with a hint of sweetness from orange juice and Coca-Cola, balanced by the heat of jalapeños. Perfect for family gatherings or a flavorful dinner, these carnitas are sure to impress!

Ingredients

For the Carnitas:
🐖 2.5 lbs pork loin (with fat)
🧂 2 tbsp salt
🌿 1/2 tsp cumin
🧄 1 tsp garlic powder
🧅 1 tsp onion powder
🍊 1 cup orange juice
🧂 1/2 tsp black pepper
🌿 2 bay leaves
🌿 2 cloves
🧄 2 garlic cloves
🥤 1 (20oz) Coca-Cola
🥄 2 tbsp pork lard (optional) for frying

For the Salsa:
🍅 5 tomatillos
🌶️ 3 big jalapeños
🧅 Small piece of onion
🧄 1 garlic clove

Instructions

1- Prep the Pork:

• Cut the pork loin into large chunks, keeping the fat on one side.
• In a large bowl, season the pork with salt, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, orange juice, and black pepper. Mix well and marinate for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.

2- Cook the Carnitas:

• In a deep pan, heat vegetable oil and add pork lard for additional flavor.
• Once the oil is moderately hot, drain the pork and add it to the pan.
• Add bay leaves, cloves, and garlic cloves with the skin on.
• Fry the pork for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3- Add the Coca-Cola:

• Carefully pour the Coca-Cola into the pan with the frying pork, allowing it to cook for an additional 15-20 minutes until the pork is caramelized and tender.

4- Prepare the Salsa:

• In a pot, boil tomatillos with a small piece of onion and one garlic clove until the tomatillos change color.
• In a blender, add the cooked tomatillos, onion, garlic, and raw jalapeños. Blend until smooth, adding a bit of cooking water for consistency, and season with salt to taste.

5- Serve:

• Serve the carnitas with the freshly made salsa, shredded cabbage, lime wedges, and warm tortillas. Enjoy the juicy, flavorful bites with a spicy kick!

Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 6

Equipment:

• Deep pan
• Blender
• Pot

Cooking Tips:

• Ensure your pork pieces are evenly sized to cook consistently.
• The Coca-Cola not only adds sweetness but also helps achieve a rich color on the pork.
• Adjust the number of jalapeños in the salsa based on your heat preference.

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Carnitas