15 Leftover Carnitas Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How many people does 3 lbs of carnitas feed? ›

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.

Preparation: Place carnitas in a single layer on a baking sheet that's lined with foil. Moisture Preservation: To prevent dryness, add a splash of liquid (water or stock) and cover with another foil layer. Reheating Time: Heat until the meat is warmed through (approximately 10-15 minutes, depending on quantity).

A) Package some of your carnitas for the freezer? If so, portion cooled shredded meat into freezer bags, along with a small container filled with a proportional amount of glaze. From a 4-lb roast, I can make two freezer meals and have one portion to eat right away.

The enzymes in the milk tenderize the pork, a secret I learned while watching Dad make his carnitas. Next comes the optional beer, which gives the pork another layer of flavor. Cinnamon, which pairs so well with pork, adds warm, earthy notes.

I go by similar math as others here and always figure for leftovers. 1/2 lb per person with 1/3 loss during prep/cook. 15 lb shoulder I feed 20 people with plenty leftover. Pork butt rule: if you think you need 15 lbs, get 20.

As a general rule, you should plan for about 1/4 to 1/2 pound of meat per person when making tacos. So for a family of four, you'll need around 1 to 2 pounds of ground beef. Of course, this can vary depending on your personal preferences and appetite, so adjust accordingly.

Reheating in an uncovered pan will result in dried-out meat, but a lid helps to trap all that precious moisture and steam so the pork absorbs it and tastes just as good as it did the first time around.

In Mexico, pork shoulder is slowly cooked in a big pot of lard, making it tender, moist, and rich. To make our recipe a little more home-friendly, we slowly cook our pork with a few aromatics and a few tablespoons of oil to keep it moist and tender.

Overcooked pork can turn into a dry and tough mess. Once the meat is cooked beyond its optimal temperature, it loses most of its natural moisture and becomes dry and tasteless. The texture of the meat changes, and it becomes stringy and tough.

Since the meat is well seasoned and quite fatty, it also lasts quite a long time and freezes well: You can store it in the fridge for at least three days before the final crisping step, or in the freezer for several months.

Are carnitas still good if left out overnight? ›

It's also important to note that pulled pork or carnitas may look, smell, and taste just fine if left out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. But per the USDA, pathogenic bacteria, which grow in the danger zone and cause food-related infections, don't affect the aesthetics of the food in question.

TO STORE: Refrigerate leftover carnitas in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days. TO REHEAT: Rewarm carnitas on a baking sheet in the oven at 350 degrees F or in the microwave. TO FREEZE: Freeze carnitas in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months.

This classic soda tenderizes pork shoulder, and classic carnitas spices like chili powder, cumin, and oregano add balance. After cooking until the pork is super tender, reduce the sauce until it makes a delicious glaze.

Why do you put orange juice in carnitas? The acidity of orange juice helps to break down the meat so it's meltingly tender and shreddable and adds flavor depth to the cooking liquid.

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 most important thing when planning and prepping is to purchase enough ingredients. For instance, plan for about 3-4 ounces of ground beef taco meat per person, which means a pound of ground beef can feed roughly four people.

A good rule of thumb is to estimate about 1/3 pound of cooked pulled pork (or boston butt) per person. It's what most BBQ experts recommend and is a sure-fire way to make sure you don't run out of food.

One pound of cooked pulled pork will feed about three adults, as they'll have roughly a third each. One pound of cooked pulled pork makes between three and four pulled pork sandwiches, depending on the bun size. To make 10 pulled pork sandwiches, you need 2.5 to three pounds of cooked pulled pork.