Sous Vide Carnitas for Tacos (Crispy Mexican-Style Pulled Pork) Recipe (2024)

Why It Works

  • Using a sous vide immersion circulator keeps the pork extra moist and offers complete control over the final texture of the carnitas.
  • Crisping the carnitas under the broiler or in a skillet is easier than deep-frying, and it produces excellent results.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again:Carnitasare the undisputed king of the taco cart. The Mexican answer to American pulled pork, at their best they're moist, juicy, and ultra porky, with the rich, tender texture of a French confit, riddled with plenty of well-browned, crisp edges. Traditionally, they're made by simmering chunks of juicy pork in rendered lard inside a large copper vat (acazo) until tender and crisp.

At home, I've been making them for years using myoven-based recipe, in which you pack cubes of pork into a baking dish, add just enough fat to cover, then slow-cook it in a low oven before shredding and crisping the meat in a pan under the broiler or on the stovetop. It's a fantastic and easy method, but I'd venture to say carnitas are even easier when cooked using a sous vide immersion circulator. For one thing, you don't have to heat up the oven, or worry about leaving it on all afternoon.

Using sous vide, there's also no real chance of overcooking. With a slow-cooking, extra-forgiving cut like pork shoulder, which is high in both connective tissue and fat, even if you overshoot by half a day, your results are still going to be incredible. I know; I tested it to find out!

The other great thing about cooking sous vide is that, because the pork is sealed inside a bag, there's no need to add any extra fat whatsoever. The fat that renders from the pork shoulder as it cooks gets distributed around the bag, essentially allowing the pork to tenderize in its own juices. The result is extra-moist carnitas, time after time.

Temperature and Timing for Sous Vide Carnitas

Just as with American-stylebarbecue pork cooked sous vide, the temperature at which you cook the meat can have an effect on both the finished texture and the overall cooking time. The goal is to break down tough connective tissue—mainly collagen—into rich, velvety gelatin. This takes both time and heat, and the hotter you cook, the less time it takes.

Sous Vide Carnitas for Tacos (Crispy Mexican-Style Pulled Pork) Recipe (1)

On the flip side, the hotter you cook, the more moisture the pork will expel. Sure, that moisture gets trapped in the bag, but as soon as the bag is opened and the pork removed, it'll drain away. Pork cooked at higher temperatures will come out drier, but this is not necessarily a bad thing: Cooking sous vide at a higher temperature still produces pork that is plenty moist, and it will have a more traditional texture.

These photographs were taken of pork treated with acochinita pibil–stylemarinade, which is why it's red on the exterior. In this case, the texture comes out the same regardless of the marinade. Take a look.

Sous Vide Carnitas for Tacos (Crispy Mexican-Style Pulled Pork) Recipe (2)

At 145°F (63°C), pork will take at least 24 hours and up to 36 hours to really become tender. Even so, it retains an almost steak-like resilience and juiciness. Rather than shredding apart, like pulled pork, it comes apart in large, juicy chunks. I really enjoy this texture, especially if the pork is left in largish chunks or slabs and seared in a skillet, or even cubed and threaded ontoskewersand finished on the grill.

Sous Vide Carnitas for Tacos (Crispy Mexican-Style Pulled Pork) Recipe (3)

At 165°F (74°C), pork will take a minimum of 12 and up to 24 hours to tenderize. Once it does, it'll have an easily shreddable texture, but the individual shredded pieces will remain moist and juicy. This is probably my favorite temperature for making taco ortortafillings, as the meat can be used just like traditional carnitas but is even juicier.

Sous Vide Carnitas for Tacos (Crispy Mexican-Style Pulled Pork) Recipe (4)

At 185°F (85°C), pork will take about eight hours, or even a little less, to tenderize. The texture will be very similar to that of traditional carnitas—easily shreddable and reasonably moist. (I used to think standard carnitas were incredibly moist, until I tried sous vide carnitas.) This is a good temperature for anyone who wants a really traditional texture, but would like to make the process just a little more foolproof and streamlined.

Cooking Temperatures for Sous Vide Carnitas
145°F (63°C) for 24 to 36 hoursVery tender and moist; not very shreddable. Better for cubing or searing as slabs.
165°F (74°C) for 12 to 24 hoursMoist and easy to shred with your hands or forks
185°F (85°C) for 8 to 16 hoursTraditional texture that shreds naturally

How to Make Sous Vide Carnitas

Slicing the Pork

Sous Vide Carnitas for Tacos (Crispy Mexican-Style Pulled Pork) Recipe (5)

I like to start with boneless pork shoulder. I tried using whole shoulders, which works reasonably well, but you get better flavor penetration if you first cut the pork into thick slabs. 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!

Bagging the Meat

I recommend using actual vacuum sealer bags if you'll be cooking with a sous vide setup for extended periods of time, but you can also use heavy-duty zipper-lock bags by double-bagging the meat and usingthe water displacement methodto remove air. If you do use this method, make sure that the top part of the outer bag (the part that seals) stays above the water line in order to avoid any leaks during cooking.

Maintaining Full Immersion

If you didn't manage to get all the air out of the bag, or if your pork is particularly fatty, the bag might have a tendency to float a little. You can easily keep it submerged by placing a wet kitchen towel on top of the bag, orby using a large binder clipto secure a metal spoon or knife to the bottom of the bag as a weight.

Keep an eye on the water bath as the pork cooks, making sure that the water level doesn't drop below the minimum line on your device. Covering the opening with aluminum foil or covering the surface of the water withPing-Pong ballscan help prevent water loss during long cooking periods.

Making the Carnitas Ahead

Once the meat is cooked, you can proceed immediately to the crisping step, or let it cool and store it in the fridge or freezer, directly in the bag, until you’re ready to serve. The cooked pork will keep for at least five days in the fridge, and up to a couple of months in the freezer.

Sous Vide Carnitas for Tacos (Crispy Mexican-Style Pulled Pork) Recipe (6)

Shredding Strategies

When you're ready to serve, open up the bag and empty the contents into a bowl, discarding all of the aromatics. If there's a ton of liquid (or jellied liquid, if you've chilled the meat), you can reserve it separately, reduce it, and blend it into your salsa; use it as a base for a pan sauce for another dish; or add it to a pot of soup for a shot of flavor. Or, just discard it if you don't feel like fiddling with a half cup of flavorful, gelatin-packed pork liquid. (Then make sure to scold yourself for pouring flavor down the drain.)

Shred the pork by hand or with forks if you want it shredded, or cut it into chunks, slabs, or cubes if you'd prefer one of those shapes. The meat will be very forgiving and will work however you decide to treat it at this point.

Sous Vide Carnitas for Tacos (Crispy Mexican-Style Pulled Pork) Recipe (7)

Crisping the Meat

The final step is to crisp the pork. There are a few ways you can do this. The easiest is to spread it out on a rimmed baking sheet and place it a few inches under a preheated broiler. Keep an eye on it, and flip the pieces once they start to get brown and crisp.

Repeat this step until they're browned and crispy all over, and you're ready to serve. Alternatively, you can heat the carnitas directly in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, giving them a toss, a flip, and a stir every now and then, until they're crisp all over.

The final method works only if you've cooked the meat at a lower temperature (145 or 165°F) and cut it into slabs or large cubes: Sear the carnitas in a cast iron skillet or on a hot grill, flipping them once or twice to brown them on all surfaces. This is a fun and unique way to serve carnitas, if only because itonlyworks if you've used the sous vide method.

However you serve your carnitas, you're going to want to provide plenty of napkins, because this is the kind of stuff best eaten straight from your fingertips.

Sous Vide Carnitas for Tacos (Crispy Mexican-Style Pulled Pork) Recipe (8)

January 2017

Recipe Details

Sous Vide Carnitas for Tacos (Crispy Mexican-Style Pulled Pork) Recipe

Prep5 mins

Cook8 hrs 25 mins

Active30 mins

Total8 hrs 30 mins

Serves8to 12 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds (1.8kg) boneless pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch-thick slabs

  • 1 medium onion, roughly chopped

  • 6 medium cloves garlic

  • 1 stick cinnamon, broken into 3 to 4 pieces

  • 2 bay leaves

  • 1 medium orange, peel intact

  • Kosher salt

To Serve:

  • Warm corn tortillas

  • Lime wedges

  • Chopped white onion and fresh cilantro leaves

  • Charred salsa verdeor other salsa

Directions

  1. Combine pork, onion, garlic, cinnamon stick, and bay leaves in a large bowl. Split orange into quarters and squeeze juice into bowl before adding rest of orange. Season generously with kosher salt and toss to combine.

    Sous Vide Carnitas for Tacos (Crispy Mexican-Style Pulled Pork) Recipe (9)

  2. Transfer contents to a vacuum bag and seal (see note).

    Sous Vide Carnitas for Tacos (Crispy Mexican-Style Pulled Pork) Recipe (10)

  3. When ready to cook, use a sous vide immersion circulator to preheat a water bath to the desired temperature according to the chart above.

    Sous Vide Carnitas for Tacos (Crispy Mexican-Style Pulled Pork) Recipe (11)

  4. Add bag to water bath and cook for recommended time according to chart above. Make sure to top water up occasionally as it evaporates, and keep bag completely submerged. If bag floats, weigh it down by placing a wet kitchen towel on top of it. Alternatively, use a heavy-duty binder clip to attach a metal spoon or knife to bottom of bag as a weight.

    Sous Vide Carnitas for Tacos (Crispy Mexican-Style Pulled Pork) Recipe (12)

  5. When meat is cooked, remove from water bath. If you are cooking the pork in advance and don’t plan to serve it the same day, cool pork to room temperature directly in the bag or chill in an ice bath, then transfer bag to refrigerator or freezer (pork can be refrigerated for up to 5 days, or frozen for up to 2 months). If finishing the carnitas the same day, transfer contents of bag to a large bowl. Pick out chunks of meat with a set of tongs and transfer them to a rimmed baking sheet. (Discard aromatics and excess liquid, or reserve liquid and blend it in with your salsa.) When it is cool enough to handle, shred meat roughly using 2 forks or your fingers. Spread evenly over baking sheet.

    Sous Vide Carnitas for Tacos (Crispy Mexican-Style Pulled Pork) Recipe (13)

  6. When ready to serve, adjust an oven rack to 3 inches below the broiler element and preheat broiler to high. Place pork under broiler and cook, using a spoon to flip pieces occasionally, until meat is browned and crisp on most sides, about 10 minutes total. Alternatively, working in batches, heat carnitas in a cast iron or nonstick skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally, until crisp, about 10 minutes.

    Sous Vide Carnitas for Tacos (Crispy Mexican-Style Pulled Pork) Recipe (14)

  7. Serve carnitas with warm tortillas, lime wedges, chopped onion and cilantro, and salsa.

    Sous Vide Carnitas for Tacos (Crispy Mexican-Style Pulled Pork) Recipe (15)

Special Equipment

Sous vide immersion circulator, vacuum sealer, rimmed baking sheet

Notes

I recommend sealing the pork in a vacuum seal bag for this recipe, but you can also use heavy-duty zipper-lock bags by double-bagging the meat and usingthe water displacement methodto remove air.

Make-Ahead and Storage

Pork can be cooked in advance. Follow recipe through step 4, and once pork has finished cooking, remove from water bath and cool to room temperature directly in the bag or chill in an ice bath. Once completely cooled, transfer bag to refrigerator or freezer. Cooked pork can be refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 2 months. Rewarm by returning bag to a water bath set to 165°F (74°C) for 1 hour and then proceed with step 5.

Read More

  • A Guide to American Taco Styles
  • Homemade Tacos Al Pastor
  • Charcoal-Grilled Al Pastor Skewers
  • Beef Barbacoa
  • Easy One-Pot Chicken Tinga (Spicy Mexican Shredded Chicken)
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
329Calories
24g Fat
0g Carbs
26g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8to 12
Amount per serving
Calories329
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 24g31%
Saturated Fat 9g44%
Cholesterol 101mg34%
Sodium 286mg12%
Total Carbohydrate 0g0%
Dietary Fiber 0g0%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 26g
Vitamin C 1mg3%
Calcium 29mg2%
Iron 2mg9%
Potassium 371mg8%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Sous Vide Carnitas for Tacos (Crispy Mexican-Style Pulled Pork) Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How long do you cook pulled pork in a sous vide? ›

To Cook: Set your precision cooker to 165°F (74°C) for more traditionally textured pulled pork, or 145°F (63°C) for sliceable but tender pork. When the bath is at temperature, add sealed bag with pork and cover with foil or plastic wrap. Allow to cook for 18 to 24 hours.

Can I sous vide carnitas? ›

Using a sous vide immersion circulator keeps the pork extra moist and offers complete control over the final texture of the carnitas. Crisping the carnitas under the broiler or in a skillet is easier than deep-frying, and it produces excellent results.

What is the difference between pulled pork and carnitas? ›

Pulled Pork. Both carnitas and pulled pork are cooked slowly for several hours, and great to make in the slow cooker or instant pot. Unlike pulled pork, however, carnitas are finished by roasting the meat in the oven until browned and crisp.

What temperature do you sous vide pork at? ›

Temperature and Timing for Sous Vide Pork Tenderloin
Recommended Sous Vide Pork Tenderloin Temperatures
130°F/54°C for 1 to 4 hoursMedium-rare
140°F/60°C for 1 to 4 hoursMedium
150°F/66°C for 1 to 4 hoursMedium-well
160°F/71°C for 1 to 4 hoursWell-done
1 more row

Can you sous vide pork too long? ›

While many will tell you that it's impossible to overcook with sous vide (and this isn't far from the truth), do bear in mind though that if you leave the food in the water bath for an extended period of time it won't 'overcook', but it could start to take on a mushy texture, so don't forget about it!

What is the best temperature to pull pulled pork? ›

You could eat it at a lower temperature, but the magic number is between 200 and 205 degrees. This is the best temperature for pulling the pork apart. Take it out of the oven and let the pork rest. Just like when you cook a steak, you should let any meat rest so you don't lose the juices by cutting into it too early.

What is the best temperature for carnitas? ›

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Put a roasting grate at the bottom of a roasting pan and pour 1 cup of water into the bottom of the pan along with the liquid smoke. Arrange the pork on the grate and top with the onion and garlic. Cover the pan with a lid or aluminum foil.

Does meat get more tender the longer you sous vide? ›

Sous vide allows for long, slow cooking at a low temperature, which breaks down these tissues and results in tender, juicy meat. Prepare the meat with generous salt and any other desired seasonings, then cook for a long time at a low temperature.

Should you sear carnitas before cooking? ›

Step One: The trick to getting the most flavorful carnitas, is to sear the pork before allowing it to braise for hours. First, season the pork with a liberal sprinkle of salt and then sear the pork pieces on both sides until golden brown in avocado oil. Browning the meat helps to develop a rich deep flavor.

Why do you put orange juice in carnitas? ›

Why do you put orange juice in carnitas? The acidity of orange juice helps to break down the meat so it's meltingly tender and shreddable and adds flavor depth to the cooking liquid.

How do Mexicans eat carnitas? ›

The most common way to eat carnitas is by making a taco. If you are served carnitas along with tortillas on the side, take the tortillas and heat them up a bit. Then, take some of the carnitas and place it in the tortilla. Next, add some additional toppings like lime juice, onions, cilantro, and salsa.

What are Mexican pork tacos called? ›

Al pastor (from Spanish, "shepherd style"), tacos al pastor, or tacos de trompo is a preparation of spit-grilled slices of pork originating in the Central Mexican region of Puebla and Mexico City, although today it is a common menu item found in taquerías throughout Mexico but most prominently is from these two parts ...

Can you sous vide pulled pork? ›

Combining sous vide and smoke makes for the best pork shoulder roast (also called pork butt). A simple rub is all you need to create this easy, sous vide smoked pork shoulder! Sous vide at 165 degrees F for 24 hours, then finish on the smoker at 200 degrees F for 2 hours.

Is 140 safe for pork sous vide? ›

Sous vide – cook the pork chops at 140°F for at least 1 hour (up to 4 hours).

Is Ziploc bag safe for sous vide? ›

Cooking food sous vide is a great way to get perfectly cooked meals every single time. If you ever run out of vacuum sealer bags for your sous vide machine, always know you can rely on a good old Ziploc bag. Ziploc Bags are safe for sous vide use.

How many minutes per pound for pulled pork? ›

Good rule of thumb is cook 1 hour per pound of pork. In this case I have a three pound pork shoulder, so I cooked it for 3 hours. Always cook until the pork is very tender and easily falls apart. If you pull it out after the three hours and it still seems tough, place it back in the oven and check every thirty minutes.

How long do you cook pulled pork at 300 degrees? ›

Hot & Fast Pork Butt – Pulled Pork Sandwiches

What makes this recipe hot and fast is the fact we're cooking at 300°. The main benefit of cooking hot and fast is a shorter cook time. Instead of tending to a smoker for 12+ hours, you're only looking at about 6-8 hours.

Is pulled pork done at 180 degrees? ›

Is Pulled Pork Done at 180°F? While pork is technically safe to eat at 145°F, the goal for pulled pork is safety and texture. At 180°F, the pork is cooked, but it may not be tender enough to pull apart easily. This temperature is more suited for slicing rather than shredding.

Can I sous vide pork at 135 degrees? ›

There's a range of temperatures you can use to sous vide pork, and it is safe as long as it's cooked about 130°F (54.4°C) but most people prefer their pork cooked higher than 135°F (57.2°C). From a safety perspective, as long as you cook it long enough to pasteurize it, 135°F (57.2°C) is just as safe as 165°F (73.8°C).

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