Carnitas Seasoning

Mix up a batch of this Carnitas Seasoning and use it to create delicious, savory meals!

Slow cooker shredded chicken with herbs and spices, perfect for healthy meal prep and versatile recipes.

Whatever you do, don’t stop at pork when you whip up a batch of carnitas seasoning. It is just as good on beef, chicken, and turkey. Bring the delicious flavors of Mexico to your favorite protein and transform ordinary dishes into something extraordinary.

One of the things I’ve learned over the years of cooking is to mix my own seasoning blends at home rather than buying them at the grocery store. In many cases, I already have the individual spices on hand, so duplicating that in a pre-blended mix is unnecessary. I can make the blends myself, which saves me money. When you look below at the ingredient list, you will understand how easy it is to create your own carnitas mix. If you don’t have Mexican oregano, you can use regular, and it will still turn out great. I like a bit of heat in mine, so I sometimes add hot smoked paprika, too.

This flavorful blend of spices will transform any pork shoulder into a moist and tasty meal. You can use that meat to make savory, cheesy enchiladas; crunchy tostadas; or delicious burritos. The only downside is that your local Mexican restaurant may wonder why you don’t visit much anymore. Once you see how easy it is to make your favorite meals at home, you’ll be cooking up dishes that surpass those at the local restaurants.

I’ve used this seasoning as both a rub and a marinade, and it works great either way. As a rub, it is fantastic when you sear the seasoned meat in a cast-iron skillet. The rub helps create a crispy crust while locking in those flavorful juices. For a delicious marinade, combine one-quarter cup of olive oil with two to three tablespoons of the seasoning, add the meat, and marinate for 30 minutes to eight hours. However you use this seasoning, tasty meals are in your future.

Ground spices and seasonings for healthy cooking and recipes on a white marble surface.

Exciting ways to use carnitas seasoning

One of my favorite ways to use carnitas seasoning is to make turkey carnitas with turkey thighs, drumsticks, or boneless turkey breast. It’s equally suitable for chicken. I prefer to do this in a slow cooker or Crock-Pot, allowing the poultry to cook on low for eight to 10 hours (or on high for four to five hours), or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Cooking time will vary based on the type of turkey you use. Dark meat takes longer to cook than breast meat.

Rub about two tablespoons of the seasoning mix all over the meat, then place the turkey in the slow cooker. Add a half cup of orange juice, the juice of a small lime, a tablespoon of honey, three large cloves of slivered garlic, and a tablespoon of tomato paste. Set the slow cooker, and enjoy the aromas that will develop over the next few hours.

If you want to use this seasoning with beef, I recommend flank steak or skirt steak in the slow cooker. You can also add some sliced onions and bell peppers for more flavor. Besides, those veggies will pair great with the beef carnitas when stuffed in tortillas.

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How do I store leftovers?

I keep empty spice bottles on hand for when I make new seasoning blends. You can also use glass jars or airtight plastic containers, labeling them with the name of the blend and the date it was made. Most seasoning blends will stay fresh for 6 months when stored in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and heat.

Juicy shredded chicken breast with herbs and spices, perfect for healthy meal prep or protein-packed recipes. A flavorful, tender, and nutritious chicken dish for weight loss and fitness goals.

Serving suggestions

Once you use this carnitas seasoning to make your savory pork, you’ll have a world of delicious meals waiting for you. Say goodbye to boring sandwiches and hello to this savory Pork Carnitas Torta. You can also forgo the seasonings in this recipe for Instant-Pot Carnitas and substitute a few tablespoons of this blend. Whatever protein you use with this seasoning, you can wrap the meat in these Gluten-Free Tortillas and add some Guacamole Salsa, shredded lettuce, Mexican Crema, and Crock-Pot Black Beans. Serve it with some Mexican Coleslaw and Cheesy Mexican Rice for a delicious and filling meal.