The make ahead Carnitas recipe everyone should know how to make.

Step-by-Step Tutorial: Make-Ahead Carnitas Recipe

Step 1: Gather Ingredients

1. Obtain a pork shoulder (boneless is easier, but bone-in works too).
2. Cut the pork shoulder into 1-inch cubes.
3. Prepare salt (1-1.5% of the weight of the meat, approximately 13-19 grams).
4. Have water ready to cover the pork cubes in the cooking pot.

Step 2: Season and Cook the Pork

1. Place the pork cubes in a cooking pot.
2. Add the salt to the meat.
3. Pour enough water to barely cover the pork.
4. Cook the pork over medium-high heat until the water evaporates, rendering the fat and braising the meat.
5. Optionally, add aromatics or spices during the cooking process.
6. Adjust water levels if needed to ensure it evaporates in a reasonable time.
7. Continue cooking until the fat starts to brown the pork pieces.

Step 3: Decide on Serving or Storing

1. Determine if you want to serve the carnitas immediately or store them for later use.
2. For immediate serving, continue cooking until the pork is browned and slightly crispy.
3. For storing, transfer the carnitas to a container and refrigerate without further browning.

Step 4: Choose Texture and Serving Style

1. Decide on the texture: leave as chunks, chop into small pieces, or bash into strands.
2. To create strands, use a mortar and pestle to bash the pork pieces.
3. Store the pork in the fridge until ready to use.

Step 5: Reheat and Serve

1. When ready to serve, heat a griddle and crisp up the carnitas to your desired texture.
2. Use the carnitas in various dishes like tacos, sandwiches, or pasta.
3. Enjoy the versatility of carnitas as a make-ahead dish that can be repurposed in different cuisines.

Step 6: Try Different Serving Ideas

1. For classic tacos, heat the carnitas on a griddle with corn tortillas, onion, cilantro, and lime.
2. Create a pulled pork sandwich by crisping up the carnitas, adding barbecue sauce, onions, pickles, and mayo on a bun.
3. Explore fusion cuisine by incorporating carnitas into Italian pasta dishes with olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, baby broccoli, and parmesan.

Step 7: Enjoy Your Carnitas Creations

1. Experiment with different ways to use your carnitas for quick and flavorful meals.
2. Whether making tacos, sandwiches, or pasta, the make-ahead carnitas recipe offers endless possibilities for delicious meals.

By following these steps, you can master the art of making carnitas at home and enjoy a variety of flavorful dishes throughout the week.