15 Leftover Carnitas Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How many carnitas do I need for 30 people? ›

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.

I've made carnitas many times using a completely different method and it turned out pretty good. But it is important to note that the traditional way to make carnitas is by slow cooking it in lard. I think it also gives it a more authentic taste. Seasoning- Salt, Mexican oregano, cumin, & black pepper.

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

How Much Carnitas Do You Need Per Person? This can vary however, I recommend 1/3 lb per person or 2 pork carnitas tacos per person.

So to determine the exact amount needed, use this simple equation: Number of guests x 0.33 (minimum) - 0.75 (maximum) pounds of pulled pork per person = weight of pulled pork required. Based on these calculations, preparing 7 to 15 pounds of pulled pork should be enough pork.

About four pounds is enough to serve eight to 12 people once the meat is cooked. You can easily make a half batch, but carnitas freeze extremely well, so think about making the full order!

The soda really tenderizes the meat and in the case of the Dr. Pepper, was sweeter than co*ke. I ended up keeping some of the pork aside before putting the bbq sauce on - it tasted so good just as it was.

The orange juice in the cooking liquid provides acidity that helps break down the meat so it's extra tender and juicy.

Adding the oranges is very much like braising pork Cuban-style for the traditional cubano sandwich. 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.

Pork Carnitas with Cilantro Tomatillo Sauce.

How do Mexicans eat carnitas? ›

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.

The "rule" is 1/2 lbs per person. But depending on the sides it could be less. Sorry but I don't know about pressure cooking it. I do about 90 minutes in a pressure cooker and it's fall apart tender (for about a 4 lb roast, cooked when thawed).

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.

Carnitas are a popular Mexican dish made with seasoned and slow-cooked pork, typically served in tacos, burritos, or on its own. If cooked and stored properly, carnitas can last for up to 4-5 days in the fridge.

easy calculation formula for pulled pork: 10 oz. pre-cooked weight per person X number of people, divided by 16 to get pounds of pre-cooked weight. For 30 people - 10 X 30 = 300 / 16 = 18.75 lbs.

I need to smoke enough pork shoulder for 30 people. How much/how many should I buy to make sure I have enough? I'd say eight ounces of meat [1] per person would be plenty, or 15 pounds in your case. A bit more, if all 30 people are on the football team.

In general, a safe bet is to plan for about 1/2 pound to 1 pound of meat per person.

You can plan on 3-4 servings per pound. So, a 5 pound roast will yield approximately 2 1/2 pounds of cooked pork and therefore 8-10 servings.