My Easy Carnitas

Julie and Stephanie in 2003

Carnitas is a staple in almost every Mexican Restaurant. Basically it is pork either shredded or chunked cooked in a green sauce until tasty and moist. It is usually served with mexican rice, refried beans and tortillas. I know when we got to a mexican restaurant, this will be the dish Dave orders. SO, I decided to try some different things and came up with this terrific and easy way to make Carnitas.






My Easy Carnitas: 

1-2 lbs of pork roast - chunked
1/4 olive oil
1 medium onion diced
2 16oz cans of green enchilada sauce
That's it!!!

I use the pressure cooker but a friend did this in her slow cooker and got the same results. If using the pressure cooker just saute the onion and add the meat to the olive oil. Once the sides of the meat are slightly brown, pour the cans of green enchilada sauce over the meat stir slightly and then close the lid of the pressure cooker and cook about 45 minutes on medium high heat. The nozzle should slowly rock. Remember with a pressure cooker, the time starts when the nozzle starts rocking, not when you close the lid.

If you are going to use your slow cooker, saute the meat in a frying pan and then add to slow cooker along with all the drippings and then pour the green enchilada sauce over and cook on low for about 7 hours.

When done, depending on what I am using this for; tamales, an entre, etc I either leave it chunked or I shred for the tamales and tacos. Serve with white or red rice, refried beans and tortillas. You can place on top of tortillas chips and then add cheese and sour cream.