Bushra Griffith
Carnitas, or 'little meats', are a traditional Mexican dish of tender, slow-cooked pork. Typically, carnitas are served in tortillas with toppings such as diced onion, cilantro, salsa, and guacamole. However, there are many ways to serve carnitas with cheese. For example, you can add shredded cheese or crumbled cotija to your tacos, or serve carnitas in a Tex-Mex sandwich with melty cheese, tortilla strips, and crema. Carnitas can also be added to a broccoli cornbread recipe, which features cheddar cheese and goes well with practically anything.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of dish | Tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadillas, enchiladas, sandwiches, salads, rice bowls, soups, omelettes, hash |
| Base | Tortillas, rice, quinoa, grits, potatoes, sweet potatoes |
| Toppings | Cheese, sour cream, guacamole, avocado, tomato, lettuce, radish, cilantro, lime juice, salsa, jalapeno, cabbage, slaw, pico de gallo, hot sauce, green taco sauce |
| Sides | Broccoli cornbread, scalloped corn casserole, corn on the cob, margaritas, beer |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Carnitas tacos with cheese
Carnitas tacos are a tasty Mexican dish that can be served with cheese. Here's a step-by-step guide to making delicious Carnitas tacos with cheese:
Prepare the Carnitas
Start by cooking the carnitas, which is typically made with juicy, shredded pork. You can pressure cook the pork without any spices or herbs to let the flavour of the meat shine through. Once the pork is cooked, shred it and place it on a baking sheet under a broiler to get it crispy. Alternatively, you can use a large dry skillet to achieve the same result.
Warm the Tortillas
Use corn tortillas for an authentic Mexican street food experience. Warm the tortillas in a hot skillet or microwave. You can also fry or steam them to add a unique texture.
Assemble the Tacos
Layer the warm tortillas with the crispy carnitas, finely chopped raw onion, and cilantro. If you're feeling adventurous, add some crunchy cabbage for texture and flavour.
Add the Cheese
Although it's not traditional, cheese can be a delicious addition to your Carnitas tacos. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the fillings or add a generous amount of queso fresco, a fresh cheese that pairs well with the other ingredients. If you're feeling indulgent, you can even try making a cheese taco shell by melting cheese in a cast-iron skillet and filling it with the other ingredients.
Finish with a Squeeze of Lime
Don't forget to add a squeeze of fresh lime juice to each taco. It adds a bright, tangy flavour that complements the other ingredients perfectly. You can also serve additional lime wedges on the side for those who want an extra burst of citrus.
Get Creative with Toppings
Feel free to add your favourite toppings to customise your Carnitas tacos. Sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, and hot sauce are all excellent choices. If you're serving breakfast, try adding scrambled eggs and salsa for a heartier meal. Don't be afraid to experiment and find your perfect combination of flavours!
Giant Broccoli and Cheese Servings: How Many?
You may want to see also
Carnitas nachos with cheese
Ingredients
- Tortilla chips
- Carnitas (shredded pork)
- Cheese (shredded or liquid)
- Guacamole
- Jalapeño
- Cilantro
- Black beans
- Lime sauce
- Pickled red onions
- Radishes
- Avocado
Method
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). On a rimmed baking sheet, spread out the tortilla chips. Top with shredded cheese and carnitas, and bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Remove from the oven and add spoonfuls of guacamole, sliced jalapeño, and cilantro. For extra flavour, add black beans, lime sauce, and pickled red onions. Garnish with radishes and avocado slices. Serve warm.
Tips
- For a more intricate arrangement, assemble and toast the chips, carnitas, cheese, and beans in two layers. This ensures that every chip has some toppings and prevents the chips from getting soggy.
- If using liquid cheese, heat it up first and then assemble the nachos.
- If making a large batch, it is recommended to prepare the nachos without the fresh toppings a few hours ahead of time and reheat them in the oven for a few minutes before adding the toppings and serving.
- For a spicier kick, top with extra jalapeño.
The Ultimate Guide to Serving Brazilian Cheese Bread
You may want to see also
Carnitas burritos with cheese
Carnitas burritos are a delicious and simple meal to make, perfect for feeding a crowd or for a family-friendly dinner. You can make a large batch of carnitas and store the leftovers in the fridge or freezer, ready to be turned into tasty burritos.
Ingredients
For the carnitas, you will need:
- Pork shoulder or butt
- Spices: oregano, cumin, chile powder, salt
- Orange juice
- Orange quarters
- Onion
- Cinnamon sticks
For the burritos, you will need:
- Tortillas (burrito-sized or taco-sized)
- Cheese (shredded Mexican blend, Monterey jack, or pepper jack)
- Rice (cilantro rice, lime rice, plain rice, or Spanish rice)
- Beans (black beans or pinto beans)
- Pico de gallo
- Guacamole
- Lettuce
Method
To make the carnitas, rub the spice mixture over the pork and place it in a slow cooker, fat cap side up. Squeeze orange juice over the pork and add orange quarters, onion, and cinnamon sticks. Cook on low heat for 9 hours or high heat for 6 and a half hours. Once the pork is tender, remove the fat cap and discard the orange, onion, and cinnamon sticks. Shred the pork using two forks and spoon some of the braising liquid over the shredded pork.
To assemble the burritos, lay a tortilla onto a clean surface. Spread your desired amount of cheese, rice, carnitas, beans, pico de gallo, guacamole, and lettuce down the middle of the tortilla. Carefully fold in the sides of the tortilla towards the center, then starting from the end closest to you, roll until the burrito is fully wrapped. You can toast each side of the burrito in a skillet over medium heat if desired.
Tips
- You can crisp up the carnitas under the broiler or in a skillet before assembling the burritos for some delicious crispy bits of pork.
- Get creative with your toppings! You can add sour cream, hot sauce, or diced onions to your burritos.
- Carnitas burritos are a great make-ahead meal and can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Jersey Mike's Philly Cheese Steak: Authentic or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Carnitas sandwiches with cheese
A popular way to serve carnitas is in a sandwich, with cheese being an optional extra. Here are some ideas for how to make carnitas sandwiches with cheese:
Mexican Torta
The traditional Mexican sandwich is made with carnitas and is called a torta. You can use bolillo rolls, which are pretty easy to make and can be delicious. You can also use French bread with ghee.
Tex-Mex Sandwich
This sandwich includes carnitas, melty cheese, salsa, tortilla strips, and crema on a toasted bun. You can also add avocado and put more cheese on the outside of the sandwich.
Grilled Cheese
This sandwich includes carnitas, avocado, and cheese grilled between thick slices of bread. It is recommended to use a heavier iron pan for grilling the sandwich.
Shooter's-Style Sandwich
This sandwich is made by packing carnitas, spicy refried beans, pickled red onions, jalapeños, and Oaxaca cheese into a bread boat. The sandwich is then wrapped tightly and placed under a heavy weight for at least 4 hours to flatten. It is then sliced and baked in the oven until the cheese has melted.
Cuban Sandwich
This sandwich is mentioned as an option for serving carnitas, but no further details are provided.
Cheese It Servings: How Many in a Box?
You may want to see also
Carnitas with cheese on sweet potatoes
A unique way to serve carnitas with cheese is to stuff them into sweet potatoes. This is a simple, easy, healthy, and delicious recipe that can be made in a slow cooker, instant pot, or oven.
First, roast some sweet potatoes in the oven. While the potatoes are roasting, prepare the carnitas. You can use pre-made carnitas or make them from scratch. If making from scratch, simply sear the meat and then pressure cook it with about an inch of water for 40 minutes. The meat will be tender and easy to shred.
Once the sweet potatoes are roasted and the carnitas are ready, it's time to assemble the dish. Cut open the sweet potatoes and stuff them with the carnitas. Top the potatoes with your choice of cheese, such as Chihuahua cheese, and other desired toppings. Some suggested toppings include cilantro, jalapeños, pickled red onions, avocado, and a squeeze of lime juice.
You can also serve carnitas with sweet potatoes in the form of arepas. Arepas are fried cornmeal pockets stuffed with fillings. To make carnitas and sweet potato arepas, simply fry the cornmeal pockets and stuff them with carnitas, sweet potatoes, black beans, cheese, and your choice of sauces.
For a more decadent option, you can create a Tex-Mex sandwich with carnitas, melted cheese, salsa, tortilla strips, and crema on a toasted bun. This sandwich combines the flavours of Mexico and Texas for a tasty and satisfying meal.
Shredded Cheese Bag Servings: How Much is Enough?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Carnitas can be served with cheese in a variety of ways. You can make a taco bar with tortillas, salsa, guacamole, shredded cheese, and other toppings. You can also make a Mexican-style sandwich with carnitas, melty cheese, salsa, tortilla strips, and crema on a toasted bun. Another option is to make enchiladas with carnitas and Chihuahua cheese, baked with tomato salsa on top.
Carnitas can be served in a variety of ways besides tacos and sandwiches. You can use them in burritos, nachos, quesadillas, enchiladas, salads, or rice bowls. They can also be added to omelettes, breakfast hash recipes, or even pizza.
Some side dishes that can accompany carnitas include corn on the cob with cilantro lime butter sauce, broccoli cornbread with cheese, and scalloped corn casserole. For a healthier option, serve carnitas with fresh vegetables like sliced avocados or tomatoes.
Classic drinks that go well with carnitas include margaritas and beer. You can also experiment with different types of tequila or add flavorings like cranberry, jalapeño, or cucumber to your margarita.
Carnitas are typically made by simmering or braising pork in oil or lard until tender, and then shredding and crisping the meat. To make the dish healthier, opt for lean cuts of pork and serve with whole wheat tortillas or brown rice.
