How to Make Sous Vide Crispy Carnitas - A Step-by-Step Guide

Looking to elevate your taco game? Look no further than these amazing Sous Vide Crispy Carnitas. This traditional Mexican dish gets a modern twist with the sous vide method, resulting in tender, juicy pork that is then crisped up to perfection. Whether you're hosting a fiesta or just craving some authentic Mexican flavors, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.

Carnitas, which translates to "little meats" in Spanish, is a dish originating from the state of Michoacán in Mexic...

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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 2 tablespoons onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 4 pounds boneless pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch-thick slabs
  • 1 onion, roughly chopped
  • 8 cloves fresh garlic
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 4 bay leaves
  • 1 orange, quartered
  • kosher salt to taste
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles
  • 1 ½ cups chicken stock
  • 1 ½ cups uncooked white rice
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder

Information

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 12 hrs 30 mins
  • Total Time: 12 hrs 45 mins
  • Servings: 10

  • Combine 2 tablespoons salt, brown sugar, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, oregano, and black pepper in a small bowl and mix well.
  • Place pork pieces into a large bowl. Rub spice mixture evenly over pork, pressing until it adheres. Add in onion, garlic, cinnamon stick, and bay leaves.
  • Squeeze orange juice into the bowl with pork and toss in juiced orange pieces as well; toss to combine.
  • Place pork mixture into a sous vide-safe vacuum sealer bag. Seal the bag and immerse in a heat-proof container of water with a sous vide cooker. Set the temperature to 165 degrees F (74 degrees C) and add the ping pong balls on top. Cook, occasionally re-adding water as it evaporates, 12 to 24 hours.
  • Remove pork carefully from water bath and transfer contents into a large bowl. Pick out chunks of meat with tongs and transfer to a rimmed baking sheet. Discard everything else left in the bowl. Let pork cool briefly. Shred using 2 forks or your fingers and spread evenly over the baking sheet. Season with salt.
  • Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler. Place pork under the broiler and cook, flipping halfway through, until fork-tender, about 10 minutes. Watch carefully so it doesn't burn.
  • Place tomatoes and green chiles in a food processor and blend until puréed. Pour into a saucepan; add chicken stock, rice, butter, chili powder, cumin, oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer until Spanish rice is tender, about 25 minutes.
  • Nutrition

    402 cal.

    • Total Fat: 19g
    • Saturated Fat: 7g
    • Cholesterol: 75mg
    • Sodium: 1726mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 35g
    • Dietary Fiber: 3g
    • Total Sugars: 6g
    • Protein: 22g
    • Vitamin C: 13mg
    • Calcium: 67mg
    • Iron: 3mg
    • Potassium: 455mg