Frederic Melton
Carnitas tacos are a popular Mexican dish that typically features pulled pork, tortillas, and various toppings. While traditional carnitas tacos may not include cheese, some modern variations incorporate different types of cheese to add flavour and texture. The type of cheese used in carnitas tacos can vary depending on personal preference and the desired taste profile. So, what are the best cheeses to use in carnitas tacos?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese to use with Carnitas | Queso Fresco, Cotija, Cheddar, Goat Cheese, Feta |
| Cheese type | Shredded, Crumbled |
| Other toppings | Cilantro, Sour Cream, Red Onions, Lime, Cabbage, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Hot Sauce, Salsa, Eggs |
| Bread | Corn Tortillas, Flour Tortillas, Bread |
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What You'll Learn
Goat cheese and tangy cilantro lime crema
While carnitas tacos are traditionally made without cheese, some people choose to add it to their recipe. One option is to use shredded cheese, such as cheddar, to top off the tacos. Another option is to make a crispy cheese taco shell, which involves placing shredded cheese directly on a skillet and cooking it until it becomes bubbly and the bottom is caramelized brown. This creates an intense cheese flavour and an amazing crunchy texture.
However, if you're looking for a cheese that pairs particularly well with carnitas, goat cheese is a great choice. Goat cheese has a tangy, sweet, salty, and creamy flavour that complements the other ingredients in carnitas tacos. When using goat cheese, it is often paired with tangy cilantro lime crema, pickled red onions, and pulled pork carnitas. This combination creates a delicious blend of flavours and textures that takes the tacos to the next level.
To make the cilantro lime crema, you can follow these steps:
- Zest one lime and add the zest and juice from half of the lime into sour cream, mixing until smooth.
- Adjust the lime juice to taste, adding more if needed but being careful not to make it too acidic.
- Add chopped cilantro and season with salt and pepper to taste.
The key to achieving the perfect lime flavour in the crema is to use lime zest instead of just lime juice. The zest provides a more intense lime presence without making the crema too sour. This crema adds a tangy and creamy dimension to the tacos, enhancing the overall flavour profile.
In addition to the cheese, carnitas tacos typically include corn tortillas, pulled pork, red onions, cilantro, and lime wedges. Some people also add cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes, or other toppings of their choice. By combining these ingredients with the goat cheese and tangy cilantro lime crema, you can create a mouthwatering and indulgent taco experience.
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Crispy cheese tortillas
Ingredients
- Thin flour tortillas
- Butter
- Cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, Oaxaca melting cheese, or any other good melting cheese)
- Taco seasoning (optional)
- Green chiles (optional)
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Spread butter on your tortillas, making sure to cover the entire surface up to the edges.
- Place the buttered tortillas on a baking sheet and bake for about 6 minutes or until they start to get lightly toasted.
- Remove the tortillas from the oven and sprinkle with cheese, leaving about 1/2 inch from the edges. If desired, add strips of green chiles in a star pattern or any other pattern you like.
- Return the tortillas to the oven and bake for another 2- 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and reached your desired level of crispness.
- Remove from the oven and enjoy!
Tips
- If you prefer a crispier tortilla, you can broil the cheese crisps instead of baking them.
- For a more authentic Arizona cheese crisp, use extra-large, thin flour tortillas.
- If you're short on time, you can also make cheese crisps in a skillet on the stovetop. Simply heat a large skillet over medium heat, spray with cooking spray, and follow the same assembly instructions as above.
- Cheese crisps are typically served as an appetiser or snack, but they can also be used as a taco shell and filled with your favourite taco fillings.
- While cheese crisps are typically made with butter, you can also make them without it if you prefer.
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Cheese type by taco type (e.g. corn tortilla)
While some people choose not to use cheese in their carnitas tacos, there are several types that are commonly used in this dish.
Corn Tortillas
For corn tortillas, it is best to use queso fresco, a fresh cheese that can be crumbled on top. Feta cheese can also be used as a substitute for queso fresco. For a crispy cheese taco, shredded cheese can be placed directly on a skillet and cooked until it becomes bubbly and the bottom is caramelized brown. This creates an intense cheese flavor and a crunchy texture.
Flour Tortillas
For flour tortillas, cheddar cheese is a common choice. Shredded cheese can also be used to create a crispy cheese taco, as described above.
Crispy Cheese Tacos
For a crispy cheese taco, shredded cheese is placed on a skillet and cooked until bubbly and caramelized. This creates a crunchy texture and seals in the juices from the pork carnitas. This type of taco can be filled with any type of cheese, including cheddar or Mexican cheese.
Other Types of Tacos
For other types of tacos, such as those made with fried or steamed corn tortillas, cheese can be used but is not traditional. In these cases, queso fresco or feta cheese are good options.
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Cheese type by meat type (e.g. pulled pork)
While there are thousands of cheese types, finding the right cheese to pair with your meat can be tricky. Here is a guide to help you choose the best cheese for your meal:
Pulled Pork (Carnitas)
Carnitas is a Mexican dish of slow-cooked pulled pork. While some recipes suggest not using cheese with carnitas, others recommend goat cheese, cotija cheese, or shredded cheddar. The goat cheese adds a tangy, sweet, and creamy texture to the dish. Cotija cheese is the traditional choice, while shredded cheddar can be used as a substitute.
Dry-Cured Meats
Dry-cured meats pair well with Pecorino Romano, a pungent cheese with a strong flavour. To balance out the taste, serve Pecorino Romano with sweet and acidic accompaniments such as jam, honey, or balsamic vinegar.
Beef or Bacon
American cheese, a processed cheese made from cream, whey, skim, and preservatives, is a good pairing with beef or bacon. It has a mild and salty taste and a creamy texture. American cheese also goes well with tomatoes, crusty bread, and other cheeses like Munster, Havarti, and Provolone.
Hamburgers
Hamburgers are typically made with beef, and a slice of American cheese is a classic choice for this sandwich. Other suitable cheeses include Munster, Havarti, and Provolone.
Hearty Meat Dishes
Hearty meat dishes, such as stews or casseroles, can be paired with a variety of cheeses. Stilton, a blue cheese made in England, has an earthy, robust, and peppery flavour with a creamy and flaky texture. It can be crumbled or melted on top of meat dishes or enjoyed on the side with crackers or bread.
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Cheese type by meal type (e.g. breakfast)
While carnitas is typically served as a lunch or dinner meal, it can also be served for breakfast. Here are some cheese types that go well with carnitas, depending on the meal type:
Breakfast
For a hearty breakfast, carnitas tacos can be served with scrambled eggs, salsa, and cheese. Cheddar cheese is a good option for this meal as it pairs well with eggs and salsa. You can also use shredded cheese for a melt-in-your-mouth experience. If you're feeling adventurous, you can try a Tex-Mex grilled cheese sandwich with carnitas, avocado, and cheese grilled between thick slices of bread, with extra cheese on the outside.
Lunch/Dinner
For a classic lunch or dinner option, carnitas tacos are a great choice. While some prefer their tacos without cheese, you can use a variety of cheeses to complement the rich, crispy pork. Queso fresco, a fresh cheese crumbled on top, is a good option. You can also use shredded cheese, such as cheddar, or Mexican cheese for a more intense flavor. For a unique twist, try goat cheese, which adds a tangy, sweet, and creamy dimension to your tacos. If you want to get creative, you can make crispy cheese tortillas by caramelizing shredded cheese in a skillet and filling it with carnitas, creating an amazing crunch texture.
In conclusion, the type of cheese you use for carnitas can vary depending on your meal type and personal preference. From cheddar to goat cheese, each variety adds a distinct flavor and texture to your dish.
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Frequently asked questions
Carnitas tacos are often made with shredded cheese, cheddar cheese, or queso fresco. However, some people prefer not to use cheese in their carnitas tacos.
Popular toppings for carnitas tacos include cilantro, lime, pico de gallo, cabbage, lettuce, sour cream, and red onion.
Carnitas grilled cheese sandwiches are typically made with shredded cheese and thick slices of bread.
