Leftover carnitas are a game-changer for busy families needing quick and wholesome weeknight meals. This deliciously seasoned meat is perfect for creating a variety of mouthwatering dishes that the whole family will love. If you’re wondering what to do with leftover carnitas from a weekend feast, they will not go to waste with this list of over 30 ideas! These recipes are quick, nutritious, satisfying, and very family friendly! They’re perfect for busy moms who want to get dinner on the table fast. Dive into these recipes that are made with leftover carnitas and see how simple it is to turn leftover carnitas into new meals!
Before we get started, do you have a great carnitas recipe? My family can never say no to carnitas and our favorite is my slow cooker pork carnitas. You can’t go wrong with a set it and forget it recipe! If you prefer chicken though, try my chicken carnitas for a very similar, incredible taste.
The Best Recipes Using Leftover Carnitas
Here’s a list 0f super easy AND delicious leftover carnitas recipes. Remember that some of these recipes may call for a different protein, but you can easily swap it for your leftover pork carnitas. Enjoy!
- Carnitas Nachos – tortilla chips layered with leftover carnitas meat and ingredients like cheese, pico de gallo, black beans, etc; makes a great party appetizer too!
- Carnitas Enchiladas – these enchiladas are stuffed with leftover slow-cooked carnitas, black beans, cheese, and rolled in corn tortillas, smothered in your favorite traditional red enchilada sauce and ooey gooey melted cheese.
- Pulled Pork Sandwiches – zero cook time! Heat leftover pork carnitas, mix with your favorite BBQ sauce and serve on buns.
- Taquitos – Sauté onion in a skillet with garlic, cumin, and chili powder; stir in leftover pork, cheese, cilantro, salsa verde and lime juice. Fill tortillas with meat mixture and roll up. Working in batches, cook in frying pan with oil, turning so tortillas are golden brown. Serve with sour cream or my jalapeño ranch dressing for dipping.
- BBQ Pork Pizza
- Carnitas Nacho Fries – top cooked fries with leftover carnitas and cheese, then bake until cheese is melted. Top with any other nacho toppings you like and dig in!
- Stuffed Baked Potatoes (or sweet potatoes) – topped with leftover carnitas, cheese, and other toppings of your choice
Kid Friendly Recipes Using Leftover Carnitas
Turn your leftover carnitas into kid-friendly meals the whole family will love with these yummy recipes. Simple, tasty, and quick!
- BBQ Pork Flatbread Pizza – my family’s latest favorite!
- Carnitas Quesadillas
- Pulled BBQ Pork Sliders
- Carnitas French Bread Pizza
- Baked Pork Tacos
- BBQ Pork Mac & Cheese – a southern comfort food
Quick and Easy Recipes Using Leftover Carnitas
Here’s some quick and easy recipe ideas to turn your leftovers into something new and exciting. Since most of the work is done with your carnitas ready to go, these take hardly any time at all to put together.
- Pork Carnitas Street Tacos
- Carnitas Burrito
- Southwest Chili – a one pot dinner done in 30 minutes
- Carnitas Tostadas – throw in some mexican spices to amp up the flavor
- BBQ Pork Flautas
Healthy Carnitas Leftover Ideas
Pork is not the leanest of proteins, but you can achieve a healthy meal by upping the veggies and cutting the carbs. Here are a few ways to get the goodness and flavor without all the fat and calories.
- Carnitas Burrito Bowl
- Stuffed Poblano Peppers
- Carnitas Cobb Salad
- BBQ Pork Lettuce Wraps – Combine BBQ carnitas, diced red onion, bell pepper, shredded carrots, and chopped cilantro and toss together. Spoon the chicken mixture into butter lettuce cups and enjoy!
- BBQ Pork Power Bowl
- Zucchini Boats
- Salad – with BBQ Carnitas and all your favorite toppings
Casseroles Using Leftover Carnitas
Casseroles are a fantastic way to reinvent leftover carnitas into hearty and satisfying meals. Give one of these a try and you’re sure to agree!
- BBQ Pork Casserole
- Mexican Carnitas Casserole – the best mexican flavors in a quick and easy one dish dinner
- Enchilada Casserole
- Pork Burrito Casserole
- BBQ Pork Pasta Bake – Cooked pasta combined with shredded BBQ Chicken, red pepper, onions, and BBQ sauce, then topped with cheese and baked in a casserole dish until golden and bubbly.
If you’re looking for ways to repurpose your leftover carnitas, this list will be a keeper. If you need more ideas for leftovers, check out this list of leftover chicken breast recipes or this list of leftover taco meat recipes.
If you have a tried and true recipe that uses leftover pork or carnitas for dinner, make sure and let me know in the comments!
How long do leftover carnitas last?
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store: in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
How do I reheat carnitas without drying them out?
Pan: After thawing, cook in a non-stick pan over low-medium heat for 5-7 mins. You can add a little water for extra moisture.
Oven: Preheat oven to 350, add some water or broth and carnitas to an oven-safe pan, cover with foil, and reheat for 15-20min.
Can I freezer leftover carnitas?
Yes! Put your leftovers into meal sized portions and then into an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Do you eat carnitas with flour or corn tortillas?
There is no right or wrong here. Whether you choose corn or flour tortillas to serve with your carnitas is completely up to you!
Pork Carnitas for Leftovers
Ingredients
Carnitas Seasoning (Dry Rub)
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp chipotle chile powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
In the slow cooker
- 4 pound pork shoulder roast
- 1 white onion, roughly chopped
- 3 jalapeno peppers, whole
- 2 oranges
Instructions
- Make the dry rub by combining all of the ingredients and mixing to combine.
- Place the chopped onion and whole jalapeno peppers in the bottom of the crock pot. Squeeze the juice from oranges and place the rinds with the onions and peppers.
- Coat the roast on all sides with the seasoning mixture and pat it in. Place the roast in the crock pot on top of the onions and peppers. Pour the orange juice over the roast.
- Cook on low for 7-9 hours.
- Remove the pork roast and shred it with a fork, removing any fatty areas.
- Preheat oven to 425˚F. Place shredded pork in a thin layer on a large baking sheet. Bake for 6-10 minutes or until the pork edges are crispy to your liking.
- Strain juices and discard onions, jalapeno and orange rind. Spoon juices over pork when serving.
Recipe Notes
- Try using pork butt in place of pork shoulder
- If you are in a pinch, use store bought taco or fajita seasoning in place of carnitas seasoning
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer up to a month
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