Sous Vide Carnitas are carnita tacos cooked using the sous vide method, resulting in tender, flavorful meat. The author shares her love for sous vide cooking and tacos, dreaming of owning a taco truck someday. This recipe combines sous vide pork shoulder with a grilled sear, fresh slaw, and sour...

Sous Vide Carnitas recipe
Prep Time
20min
Cook Time
1hr 30min
Total Time
1hr 50min

Ingredients

6 Servings
(1 serving = 1 taco)

For the Carnitas

  • olive oil
    olive oil
    2tbsp
  • seasoned salt
    seasoned salt
    2tbsp
  • cumin
    cumin
    2tbsp
  • chili powder
    chili powder
    1tbsp
  • garlic powder
    garlic powder
    1tbsp
  • Mexican oregano
    Mexican oregano
    1tbsp
  • onion powder
    onion powder
    1tbsp
  • black pepper
    black pepper
    1tsp
  • lime juiced
    lime juiced
    1/2
  • pork shoulder (pork butt)
    pork shoulder (pork butt)
    2 1/2lb
  • sunflower oil
    sunflower oil
    2tbsp

For the Slaw

  • bag angel hair slaw
    bag angel hair slaw
    1
  • sour cream
    sour cream
    1/2cup
  • mayo
    mayo
    1cup
  • sea salt
    sea salt
    1tbsp
  • black pepper
    black pepper
    1tbsp
  • onion diced
    onion diced
    1/4
  • pickled jalapenos, diced
    pickled jalapenos, diced
    1cup

For the Sour Cream Sauce

  • sour cream
    sour cream
    1/2cup
  • lime juice
    lime juice
    2tbsp
  • hot sauce
    hot sauce
    1tbsp

The Rest

  • flour tortillas
    flour tortillas
  • white cheddar, shredded
    white cheddar, shredded
  • fresh limes, quartered
    fresh limes, quartered
  • fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
    fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

How to make Sous Vide Carnitas

For the Carnitas

  1. Step 1

    Combine the olive oil, seasoned salt, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, Mexican oregano, onion powder, black pepper, and lime juice to make a rub.

  2. Step 2

    Rub the mixture onto the pork shoulder and place it in a gallon-size zip lock bag.

  3. Step 3

    Sous vide the pork shoulder for 1 1/2 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.

  4. Step 4

    Remove the pork from the bag and heat sunflower oil over medium-high heat or grill. Sear the carnitas on each side for about 1-2 minutes.

  5. Step 5

    Chop the pork into bite-sized pieces.

For the Slaw

  1. Step 1

    Combine the angel hair slaw, sour cream, mayo, sea salt, black pepper, diced onion, and pickled jalapenos thoroughly.

  2. Step 2

    Refrigerate the slaw until ready to use.

For the Sour Cream Sauce

  1. Step 1

    Combine the sour cream, lime juice, and hot sauce in a shaker or jar.

Assembling the Tacos

  1. Step 1

    Grill the flour tortillas if desired.

  2. Step 2

    Assemble the tacos by adding the chopped pork, shredded white cheddar, slaw, and sour cream sauce.

  3. Step 3

    Squeeze additional lime juice over the tacos and garnish with fresh cilantro.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories

852.3kcal (42.62%)

Protein

36.6g (73.14%)

Carbs

13.6g (4.95%)

Sugars

3.1g (6.14%)

Healthy Fat

45.4g

Unhealthy Fat

14.6g

% Daily Value based on a 2000 calorie diet

Tips & Tricks

  1. Grilling the tortillas adds a delightful texture to the tacos.

  2. The slaw can be used as a side dish or as a topping for burgers.

  3. Make sure to tightly seal the zip lock bag to avoid water entering during sous vide cooking.

  4. Use a cambro container or a large stock pot for the water bath to ensure even cooking.

  5. Serve the tacos with extra lime wedges for added freshness.

FAQS

  1. What is sous vide cooking?

    Sous vide is a cooking method that uses a water bath and precise temperature control to cook food evenly and retain its flavor and tenderness.

  2. Can I use a different cut of pork for this recipe?

    Yes, you can use other cuts like pork loin or pork belly, but pork shoulder is recommended for its tenderness and flavor.

  3. Do I need a sous vide machine to make this recipe?

    Yes, a sous vide machine is essential for this recipe as it ensures precise temperature control.

  4. Can I make the slaw ahead of time?

    Yes, the slaw can be prepared ahead and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use.

  5. What can I serve with sous vide carnitas?

    You can serve them with poblano queso, pineapple guacamole, jalapeno corn souffle, or pomegranate pico de gallo.

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Shea Goldstein

(@dixiechikcooks)

A Southern Belle Who's Thinking About What's For Dinner While Eating Lunch...

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