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Festival Classic Lunch – Street Fair Carnitas Tacos

Discover a delicious and easy-to-follow recipe for the classic carnitas tacos that captures the essence of street fair cuisine, transporting your taste buds to the lively atmosphere of a bustling festival.

πŸ•’ Prep: 10 minutes - Cook: 2 hours, 30 minutes - Total: 2 hours, 40 minutes
🍽 Servings: 2
πŸ”₯ Difficulty: Easy
🌎 Cuisine: Mexican

Allergens

Contains gluten and dairy (if using a dairy-based salsa)

Ingredients

  • 1. 2 lbs pork shoulder, cut into 1
  • inch cubes 2. 2 cups water 3. 1/4 cup orange juice 4. 1 tablespoon ground cumin 5. 1 teaspoon ground coriander 6. 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 7. 1 teaspoon chili powder 8. 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 9. 1/2 teaspoon onion powder 10. Salt and pepper, to taste 11. 8 small corn tortillas 12. 1 cup shredded lettuce 13. 1 avocado, sliced 14. 1 cup chopped cilantro 15. 1 lime, cut into wedges 16. Salsa of choice, for serving

Instructions

  1. In a large pot, combine pork shoulder cubes with water, orange juice, and spices. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer, covered, for 2 hours or until the meat is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
  2. Once the pork is cooked, shred it using two forks, then set aside.
  3. Heat a griddle or pan over medium high heat. Warm the corn tortillas for about 30 seconds on each side until slightly charred. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
  4. Assemble tacos by placing a generous portion of carnitas onto each tortilla, followed by shredded lettuce, avocado slices, chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice. Serve with your favorite salsa on the side.

Chef’s Insight

The secret to these carnitas is the balance of spices and citrus, which creates a rich, smoky flavor that transports you straight to the street fair.

Notes

Feel free to experiment with different spices or additional ingredients for a truly personalized street fair experience.

Cultural or Historical Background

Carnitas tacos have deep roots in Mexican cuisine, with the dish often associated with the bustling streets of markets and festivals where vendors sell them as a popular street food.