Are you a fan of pork carnitas? Here are eight mouthwatering recipes that you can try at home. Whether you’re planning a festive gathering or simply want to delight your taste buds, these recipes are sure to please.

1. Traditional Pork Carnitas

Ingredients:

• 1 pinch of black pepper
• 1 package of corn tortillas
• 5 kilograms of pork meat (preferably leg)
• 2 kilograms of pork spine
• 1 kilogram of pork ribs
• 2 liters of oil (preferably soybean or safflower)
• 1 large onion
• 6 bay leaves
• 2 liters of water
• ¼ cup of soy sauce
• ½ liter of fresh orange juice
• ½ liter of cola soda
• 1 pinch of salt

To prepare traditional pork carnitas, start by marinating the pork meat in soy sauce for an hour. You can also prick the meat with a fork to enhance the flavor. In a large pot, heat up the oil and add the onion and bay leaves to create a flavorful base. After browning the onion, add the meat, spine, and ribs to the pot and cook for 20 minutes. Then, pour in the orange juice and water and simmer for 2 hours. Finally, add the cola soda to give the meat a beautiful color. Serve the cooked meat in warm corn tortillas for a delicious meal.

2. BBQ Pork Ribs

Ingredients for the marinade:

• ½ teaspoon of cloves
• 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon of black pepper
• 1 tablespoon of sweet pepper
• 2 tablespoons of coarse salt
• 4 sprigs of rosemary
• 10 bay leaves
• 10 sprigs of thyme
• 12 cloves of garlic
• Zest of 2 oranges
• 3 tablespoons of smoked paprika
• 250 ml of balsamic vinegar
• 1 cup of orange juice
• 2 cups of tomato sauce
• 1 cup of honey
• ½ cup of vegetable oil

In a mortar, grind the cloves, cumin, cinnamon, peppers, and salt until you get a smooth powder. Finely chop the garlic, rosemary, thyme, and orange zest. Mix the spices and herbs in a large bowl, then add the remaining ingredients: bay leaves, paprika, balsamic vinegar, orange juice, tomato sauce, honey, and oil. Stir well and let it marinate for an hour.

Ingredients for the ribs (serves 6):

• 4 pounds of pork ribs, cut into medium-sized pieces
• 2 pounds of pork leg, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 5 cloves of garlic, minced
• ¼ cup of lemon juice
• 3 cups of marinade

Season the ribs with minced garlic, lemon juice, and let it marinate for 30 minutes. Remove any excess liquid and pat dry the meat with a towel. Add the marinade and let it marinate for 4 hours. Transfer the pork to a large baking dish and cover with aluminum foil. Bake in a preheated oven at 220 degrees Celsius for 1 hour. Then, turn the ribs over and bake for an additional 30 minutes. Let the meat rest and grill it over high heat until fully cooked. To keep it moist, you can brush the meat with the remaining marinade. Serve hot with roasted potatoes, cornbread, and grilled vegetables.

3. Pork Ribs with Guajillo Peppers and Purslane

Ingredients:

• 1 kilogram of pork leg or ribs
• 4 guajillo peppers
• 2 ancho peppers
• 1 bunch of purslane
• Salt, pepper, oregano, garlic
• 2 red tomatoes

In a pan, fry the meat with salt, pepper, and garlic until browned. Add a cup of water to cook and tenderize the meat. In another pan, cook the peppers, tomatoes, garlic, onion, and salt. Blend the cooked ingredients and add them to the meat. Let it simmer for approximately 10 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Adjust the salt as needed and, if desired, add a little broth. Serve with rice or beans.

4. Sweet and Sour Pork

Ingredients:

• 600 grams of pork loin and shoulder
• 200 grams of butter
• 150 grams of red bell pepper
• 150 grams of green bell pepper
• 150 grams of yellow bell pepper
• 100 grams of green beans
• 200 grams of canned pineapple
• 300 grams of sweet and sour sauce
• 100 ml of apple cider vinegar
• 50 grams of tomato sauce
• 50 grams of sugar
• 60 grams of cornstarch
• Salt and pepper

First, wash and sanitize all the vegetables. Then, cut the pineapple, green beans, and bell peppers into medium-sized pieces. Season the pork loin and shoulder with salt and pepper. In a large pan, melt half of the butter and sear the meat until browned. Remove the meat from the pan and melt the remaining butter. Add a pinch of pepper and sauté all the vegetables. Return the meat to the pan and cook over low heat.

To prepare the sweet and sour sauce:

• 1 small shallot
• 6 tablespoons of sugar
• 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons of ketchup
• 3 tablespoons of white vinegar
• 1 glass of pork broth
• 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
• Salt and pepper

In a saucepan over low heat, caramelize the sugar with white wine and vinegar. Add the finely chopped shallot and let it simmer until the liquid is reduced. Then, add the soy sauce, ketchup, cornstarch dissolved in a little broth, and the pork broth. Mix well and season with salt and pepper. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens. Once the sauce is ready, pour it over the meat and vegetables. Let it simmer for about 40 minutes. Optionally, you can add more pineapple juice for a sweeter taste. Finally, add the pineapple pieces and serve the dish hot. It pairs perfectly with white rice.

Enjoy trying these flavorful pork carnitas recipes! They are perfect for any occasion and are sure to satisfy your cravings.