Carnitas is a Mexican preparation of pork in which large pieces of pork — typically shoulder and leg — are slowly braised or simmered in lard or their own fat until tender, then crisped. The result is juicy, pull-apart meat with crispy caramelized edges. It is one of the most beloved taco fillings across Mexico and Mexican communities worldwide.
Names by country
| Country | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸United States | Carnitas | Widely available in Mexican-American restaurants and taquerías across the US |
| 🇲🇽Mexico | Carnitasprimary | A preparation as much as a cut — typically made from pork shoulder or leg slow-cooked in lard, a Michoacán specialty |
| 🇮🇹Italy | Carnitas | Mexican preparation rather than a butchery cut; not part of Italian tradition. |
| 🇩🇪Germany | Carnitas | Mexican preparation rather than a butchery cut; not part of German tradition. |
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