I love Mexican food – I’ve often joked that I could live off of good chips & salsa if I had too – I’d like to throw in a side of guacamole with that, please! But one of my favorite Mexican meals is hands-down Carnitas! I looooove it! Are you familiar with it? Typically it is pork ribs that have been slow cooked to fall-apart perfection and then quickly fried to “crisp up” the outside just before serving. It is so, so good. I crave it often so I taught myself how to make an easy version of it at home! Haul out your crock pot, you’re gonna need it!
:: Ingredients ::
Cooking Spray
3 lbs. Country Style Pork Ribs (boneless or bone-in, your choice)
1 1/4 cups chicken stock
1/2 cup Pico de Gallo Fresh Salsa
2 packs Sazon by Goya
1 Tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon Garlic Salt
:: Step One ::
Lightly spray inside of crock pot with cooking spray. I always do this when using my crock pot – helps for easy cleanup in the end! Place pork ribs in pot, pour salsa on top of ribs. In a separate bowl combine chicken stock, seasoning packets, vinegar and garlic salt. Whisk to combine and pour over ribs and salsa. Cover pot and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours or until ribs are fork tender (or falling apart – yum!)
:: Step Two ::
To reduce some of the fat from restaurant style Carnitas, I broil my ribs rather than fry them. So, pre-heat your oven broiler (typically this is 500°). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place ribs on sheet. Spray lightly with cooking spray and broil for about 4-5 minutes or until ribs are beginning to crackle. Turn ribs over and cook for another 4 -5 minutes. I recommend you stand there and watch this since the broiler cooks very fast.
:: Step Three ::
Dig in! I like to server these with Mexican rice and seasoned black beans.
You may find this recipe too salty or not salty enough for you so play with it. Hopefully my ratios work for you but adjust as needed to suit your taste.
I hope you will make this for your next “fiesta night”!
Happy Celebrating!
August 08, 2012 at 4:01 pm, kelly said:
Yum!!! Thanks, Jennifer, for a delicious recipe I can add to my crock-pot rotation…can’t wait to give it a try!
August 08, 2012 at 8:11 pm, Jennifer said:
> I love my crock-pot. Since I start it in the morning, I like to fool myself into thinking someone cooked dinner for me when I use it
August 21, 2012 at 2:25 pm, kelly said:
> It’s in the crock-pot now and smelling Delicious!!! Thanks again
August 09, 2012 at 4:00 pm, Jill Flory said:
I love mexican food! Must make soem of these soon!
August 09, 2012 at 7:46 pm, Jennifer said:
This is a great standby recipe of mine! I love my slow-cooker!! Hope you like the recipe
August 20, 2012 at 9:35 am, Elle said:
I’ve got these in the crock pot right now! I’m so excited to share with my company tonight. I’ll let you know tomorrow how it turned out. Thanks for the inspiration!
August 20, 2012 at 5:44 pm, Jennifer said:
Yay! Can’t wait to hear how it goes!!! Good luck!
August 21, 2012 at 9:29 am, Elle said:
Success! The carnitas were sooo tasty, and everyone thought so. I served them with rice, chips and salsa, and guacamole. I also fried a stack of corn tortillas to wrap around the meat, which was crispy on the outside and tender inside. It really was delicious and EASY, turning this awkward hostess into a cool and confident entertainer. Thank you again!
August 21, 2012 at 9:31 am, Jennifer said:
> Hooray!!!!! I’m SO thrilled!!!!! Your menu sounds DELISH, love the extra touch of the fried tortillas!! Way to go Chica!!
August 24, 2012 at 11:54 am, Amber Manry said:
Thank you! The only problem was that Charlie and I ate an entire 2.5 lb rib rack by ourselves. Hahaha. He said it was the best meal I’ve ever made. I have passed it along to my friends.
August 24, 2012 at 12:06 pm, Jennifer said:
> Oh goodness!!
I know – they are sooo addictive and yummy!! Thanks for sharing the recipe with your friends!! Hope you and Charlie are well!! Hugs!!