CARNITAS 
3 lb. beef chuck
1 (7 oz.) can chopped green chilies
2 tbsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. ground oregano
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 lg. garlic clove, finely minced
Salt to taste

Place beef in a large piece of heavy duty foil. In a small bowl combine the green chilies, chili powder, oregano, cumin and minced garlic. Spread mixture over the top of the beef. Enclose completely in foil and seal securely. Place in ovenproof baking dish. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 3 1/2-4 hours. Use 2 forks to shred this deliciously moist and tender spiced beef.

For each serving spoon meat into hot flour or corn tortilla. Garnish with guacamole and pico de gallo. Roll into cigar shape and enjoy.

recipe reviews
Carnitas
 #28471
 Anon (California) says:
Carnitas is pork where I come from... Not beef....
 #185049
 Cindy (California) replies:
Carnitas means little meats can be pork, beef whatever. It is a 'method' of cooking.
 #45979
 Also from CA (California) says:
Second that!!!
 #51391
 Another 1 from SD, CA (California) says:
Yep Pork..Not Beef
   #58661
 Sheri (North Carolina) says:
anon? i believe carnita can be either pork or beef dependin on the taste or preference of the individual eating the food:)
 #59427
 Jessica (Ohio) says:
I must say where I come from carnitas is also made with pork not beef. Even in Mexico its made with pork. But this a good recipe
 #59916
 Chuy (Utah) says:
Agree! Carnitas is pork! I remember bucthering pigs with my Dad and making Carnitas for our Tex mex parties!
 #59919
 Chuy (Utah) says:
Also, my brother says that best part to use is pork butt roast!
 #60738
 John (Washington) says:
having been raised in texas around many of the original inhabitants, I believe carnitas actually refered to any CHEAP meat available , in small pieces, cooked and spiced appropriately. you can actually serve carnitas more than one way.
   #62311
 Zach (Alabama) says:
I've traveled all over Mexico and South America, and Carnitas has always traditionally been slow roasted pork (usually pork shoulder). But it can be used to describe any slow roasted shredded or small-cut meat.
 #81952
 TJ Martin (Florida) says:
Carnitas ... literally means, litle chunks of meat, but if you go to a real Mexican place, you will always get pork.
 #108468
 Cleo (Washington) says:
I come from Watsonville, CA, Cali's little Mexico, and I tell you Carnitas are pork. Though I am going to give this a try with a little kick added to it!!! I will let y'all know how it turns out
   #108847
 Cleo (Washington) says:
I am a firm believer that Carnitas is pork but I tried this for some tacos and Mmmmmm it sure came out really great. I did not cook it in the oven I used my crock pot with a can of beer poured over it and some real jalepenos and seranos. It went in about 7am and came out around 2pm and fell apart.
   #126944
 Rita (California) says:
I'm Mex/Amer and ordinarily I have always used pork and cooked slowly in the oven, and on hi after a few hours for crispy on the out side; however, I gotta tell you, this was yummy and even the little beaners in my family ate it with a thumbs up.
   #165041
 Darla says:
I too use pork. This is a great recipe. After shredding the pork I broil it just enough to make it a bit crispy. My son loves it this way.
 #184078
 Elizabeth from San Diego (California) says:
Always pork. Never heard of beef for Carnitas. Visit Carnitas Urapan in Tijuana, BC, Mex. They are considered the experts in So Cal, both sides of the border.

 

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