15 Leftover Carnitas Recipes (2024)

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Carnitas (or Mexican pulled pork) is such a versatile dish, and the best part is that it makes loads of leftovers, which can be used in SO MANY GREAT LEFTOVER RECIPES! Check out these 15 Leftover Carnitas Recipes, so you never have to wonder what to make with carnitas!

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What are carnitas?

"Carnitas" literally means "little meats" and it's a dish of spiced pork that is simmered slowly until it comes tender enough to shred or pull into little pieces. Carnitas originated from Mexico, but many Latin American countries have their own version of carnitas with different spices.

I've never had a carnitas dish I didn't like. Carnitas are always so flavorful and versatile!

And the best part is that leftover carnitas can be used in so many dishes the next day, so it's always a good idea to make a really large batch.

Below you'll find some amazing carnitas dinner ideas: everything from carnitas bowls, casseroles, soup with carnitas, as well as more snack-like dishes, like empanadas.

So dig in!!

Oh, and if you need a really amazing flavorful recipe for carnitas, try this Cinnamon Chipotle Spiced Pulled Pork. AAAMAZING!

Leftover Carnitas Recipes

Go ahead, make a really large batch of carnitas because there are so many delicious carnitas dinner ideas!

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Sweet Potato Pulled Pork Hash

Use leftover carnitas in this amazing sweet potato skillet! So many delicious flavors in this dinner. This is a go-to weeknight recipe for us because it is so customizable with whatever add-ins your have on hand!

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Black Bean Carnitas Quesadillas

Adding cheese and a tortilla makes EVERYTHING better! I love this 10-minute dinner idea of adding leftover carnitas, black beans, and cheese to a tortilla and toasting in a pan to make the easiest, most delicious quesadillas. Serve with some pineapple pico de gallo or charred corn salsa as well as sour cream and guacamole.

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Baked Potato Bar with Carnitas

Use carnitas as a topping for a baked potato, or serve them for a baked potato bar! And make sure to check out this other great recipe roundup of canned potato recipes!

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Texas Twinkies

Texas Twinkies typically use leftover shredded brisket, but leftover carnitas make an AMAZING filling for these bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers.

RELATED: Leftover Corned Beef Recipes

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Photo Credit:honest-food.net

Fried Empanadas

Use leftover carnitas as an empanada filling! Add a little bit of cheese too. So good!

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Photo Credit:alittleandalot.com

Spanish Potato Soup

This creamy, warm and slightly spicy Spanish Potato Soup is comfort food at its best. Buttery Yukon Gold potatoes are cooked in a broth flavored with onion, red pepper, garlic, cumin, oregano, and paprika. Add some sour cream, cheese and pork carnitas and serve with warm tortillas or bread to sop up all that delicious broth.

Related recipe: Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork

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Photo Credit:www.fittoservegroup.com

Cuban Casserole

This low-carb Cuban casserole is an easy variation of the classic Cuban sandwich. Made with leftover shredded pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and a creamy cheesy Dijon mustard sauce, it’s a delicious and hearty meal that the whole family will love.

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Photo Credit:pinchandswirl.com

Easy Carnitas Nachos

With crunchy corn tortilla chips, crispy-edged pulled pork, and plenty of melted cheese, Carnitas Nachos are irresistible.

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Photo Credit:prepareandnourish.com

Carnitas Breakfast Skillet

This breakfast skillet combines juicy leftover carnitas with potatoes and eggs, and is fried in a skillet on the stovetop. Such a delicious weekend breakfast or brunch!

Serve leftover carnitas with a mac and cheese bar!

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Photo Credit:www.mashupmom.com

Comforting Carnitas Stew

Comforting Carnitas Stew—what a quintessential comfort food! Full of hearty beans & pork with bursts of crisp-tender sweetness from the corn and bell pepper, but and an underlying warmth from the seasoned carnitas and chipotle pepper.

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Photo Credit:alittleandalot.com

Quinoa Veggie Carnitas Bowls

Here's a healthy, delicious way to use leftover carnitas: in quinoa bowls! Top quinoa with delicious carnitas, all kinds of veggies, fresh herbs, and ajalapeño cream sauce.

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Photo Credit:www.acedarspoon.com

Slow Cooker Cuban Pork Rice Bowls

Pair leftover carnitas with rice and add your favorite toppings for an easy lunch or dinner!

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Photo Credit:www.runningtothekitchen.com

Carnitas Pizza

This carnitas pizza from is topped with sticky pineapple juice slow cooked beef and tomatillo sauce, mozzarella, peppers and onions.

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Photo Credit:foodieandwine.com

Mulitas with Carnitas

A mix between a soft taco and quesadilla, Mulitas will quickly become your favorite Mexican recipe. Mulitas are a street food staple of the LA food truck scene. Two corn tortillas are loaded up with tender carnitas and melted cheese and garnished with your favorite toppings.

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Photo Credit:inmamamaggieskitchen.com

Tortas Ahogadas (Drowned Sandwiches)

If you like saucy, messy, and delicious, you're going to love these drowned sandwiches made with carnitas!

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Photo Credit:www.mommytravels.net

Mexican Lasagna

Have you ever tried Mexican Lasagna? It's so good made with carnitas and makes large portions, ensuring you'll have leftovers and don't have to cook again tomorrow. If you like the idea, try my take on Mexican Lasagna made with ground beef!

If you enjoyed these ideas of what to make with carnitas, let me know with a comment and a star rating below. And don't forget to share it on Facebook and save it on Pinterest for later!

15 Leftover Carnitas Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How many carnitas do I need for 30 people? ›

Making a big batch of carnitas is a great way to feed a crowd. Boneless pork butt loses about half of its weight during the cooking process. For a party, you want to plan for about ⅓-1/2 pound of pulled pork per person.

How many people does 2lbs of carnitas feed? ›

pork butt/shoulder will shrink by nearly 50% through the cooking process (yikes!), this net size is known as your yield. You can plan on 3-4 servings per pound.

Can I freeze leftover carnitas? ›

Pork Carnitas are easily stored in the refrigerator, in an air-tight container with a lid. Store broth the pork was cooked in separately and add it to the pan when crisping the pork. You can also freeze carnitas meat right after you pulled it.

How many lbs of carnitas for 12 people? ›

About four pounds is enough to serve eight to 12 people once the meat is cooked. You can easily make a half batch, but carnitas freeze extremely well, so think about making the full order!

How much pulled pork do I need for 15 people? ›

So to determine the exact amount needed, use this simple equation: Number of guests x 0.33 (minimum) - 0.75 (maximum) pounds of pulled pork per person = weight of pulled pork required. Based on these calculations, preparing 7 to 15 pounds of pulled pork should be enough pork.

Why do you put orange juice in carnitas? ›

The orange juice in the cooking liquid provides acidity that helps break down the meat so it's extra tender and juicy.

Why do you add milk to carnitas? ›

Adding the oranges is very much like braising pork Cuban-style for the traditional cubano sandwich. The milk acts as a tenderizer, a secret I learned while growing up watching dad make his carnitas which, by the way, were always exceptionally tender.

How long is leftover carnitas good for? ›

Carnitas are a popular Mexican dish made with seasoned and slow-cooked pork, typically served in tacos, burritos, or on its own. If cooked and stored properly, carnitas can last for up to 4-5 days in the fridge.

How many tacos will 5 lbs of meat make? ›

Each taco shell or small soft taco-size tortilla fits about 2 ounces or 1/4 cup of meat. If you add diced onions, you could stretch a pound of ground beef to make about a dozen tacos. With just the meat and spices, you can make about 8 tacos from a pound of meat.

How many lbs of meat for 20 people? ›

What weight of meat per person to order?
Boneless MeatNumber of PeopleBone in meat
9lb / 4.08kg18 – 1914lb / 6.35kg
10lb / 4.54kg20 – 2116lb / 7.25kg
11lb / 4.98kg22 – 2318lb / 8.16kg
12lb / 5.44kg24 +20lb / 9.07kg
8 more rows

How much taco meat to feed 15 people? ›

The answer to this question will depend on a number of factors, including the size of the crowd you're feeding, what other ingredients you're including, and how much everyone typically eats. Generally speaking, four ounces of taco meat per person should be enough to make plenty of tacos for everyone in your group.

How long does cooked carnitas last in the fridge? ›

USDA recommends using cooked pork within three to four days, kept refrigerated (40 °F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. USDA recommends using cooked leftovers within three to four days.

Are carnitas better the next day? ›

Plus, as with many braised meats, this pork is possibly even better the next day. Reheat it on the stove, adding a little more chicken stock to moisten things up as needed.

Can you leave carnitas overnight? ›

I decided I wanted to make carnitas but I still had the problem of a hot oven. Then I found a recipe for slow-roasting pork shoulder overnight. Perfect. It's not as hot at night and even if the oven's putting off heat, it's not in the bedroom so we weren't affected by that.

How much pork do I need for 30 people? ›

easy calculation formula for pulled pork: 10 oz. pre-cooked weight per person X number of people, divided by 16 to get pounds of pre-cooked weight. For 30 people - 10 X 30 = 300 / 16 = 18.75 lbs.

How much meat do you need for 30 people? ›

If meat is the central part of your dish, you will most likely want 1/2 of a pound per person.

How much does 1lb of carnitas feed? ›

Carnitas 1 lb Cooked(6-8 servings) - Menu Ordering - Tuesdays Street Tacos & Burritos - Mexican Restaurant in Columbus, GA.

How big of a pork shoulder do I need for 30 people? ›

For boneless cuts of pork shoulder, estimate 1/3 pound of cooked pulled pork per guest.

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