5 Freezer Friendly Mexican Meals Quick Pork Carnitas Recipe

Craving authentic Mexican flavors without the fuss? Unlock the secret to five freezer-friendly meals starring succulent, prepped pork carnitas, ready to rescue your weeknights with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Get ready to transform simple ingredients into mouthwatering dishes that will have everyone asking for seconds!

Pork Carnitas Preparation

Let's get this show on the road, and quickly make some delicious Pork Carnitas! It's gonna be awesome. First, you'll wanna heat up about 1/2 a tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan – any pan will do, really, but bigger is sometimes better!

Now, throw in half of your Pork Carnitas. Now, don't be shy – press down lightly with a spatula. Brown them evenly on one side, it'll take about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. For filling, the pork carnitas can offer an alternative to ground beef burritos.

Once they're looking all nice and crispy on the bottom, take 'em out and set 'em aside! Remember, only one side should be crispy here!

I'm serious, don't flip that pork. Repeat with your remaining Pork Carnitas. Boom! You've got yourself some browned, juicy, deliciousness.

Enchilada Sauce Creation

Now, it's time to whip up a flavorful enchilada sauce from scratch! It's easier than you think, I promise.

I'm going to need you to follow the recipe's instructions – it's all there. Just do what I say, and you shouldn't have too many problems! You'll be amazed at how much better homemade sauce tastes – it's a game-changer! The rich flavors of the chicken tikka masala are built on layering spices, similar to the complexity we're aiming for here.

Don't skimp on the spices, either! That is where all the great flavor starts. I mean, come on – would you want bland enchiladas? I didn't think so! It's the secret to a truly awesome enchilada stack.

Caramelized Onion Preparation

I'm going to show you how to rock these caramelized onions; trust me—they're worth every bit of patience! First, grab those onions—the sweeter, the better!

Now, slice 'em thinly, as uniform as you can. Next, heat up some olive oil—about 2 tablespoons—in a large skillet. Medium-low heat is your friend here, patience is key, remember?

Add the sliced onions—all of 'em—to the skillet. Let's not overcrowd the pan, okay? Sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Stir occasionally, every 5-10 minutes. We're aiming for a deep, golden-brown color and a sweet, almost jammy texture. This can take about 30-40 minutes, so settle in with a good book or binge-watch your favorite show. It may take awhile, but don't take a nap!

Capsicum Dicing

With those caramelized onions ready, you are now set to begin dicing the capsicum, also called bell peppers, which adds vibrant color and a crisp bite to your meals. I usually grab about two large ones – a red one and a yellow one – for some extra visual appeal.

First, I'll slice off the top and bottom, then cut down along the sides to remove the core and seeds. You don't want those seeds in your meal, trust me!

Next, I'll lay each piece flat and slice them into strips, about 1/4 inch wide. Stack those strips and dice them into small squares. We want them small enough to mix well – not to mention look good!

Don't you think bell pepper dices are the unsung heroes of Mexican meals? They add a revitalizing crunch and subtle sweetness that's hard to resist!

Meal Assembly

Now that you've diligently prepped each component—browning the pork, whipping up that enchilada sauce, caramelizing the onions, and dicing the capsicum—it's time to bring everything together for the big meal assembly!

First, grab your recipe instructions for each dish: Mexican Pizza, Pork Rolls, Taco Soup, Quesadillas, and Enchilada Stack are up! And don't forget to check those "freeze" directions!

I can't stress this enough, follow each recipe's assembly instructions exactly! Make sure you're using the "freeze" instructions – it matters. We want delicious, not disaster!

Label everything clearly before freezing. Trust me; future you will thank you when you can't remember what mystery Mexican meal you prepped! I know my memory isn't what it used to be!

Finally, pat yourself on the back! You've assembled five freezer-friendly meals.

Short Recipe Version

Quick Pork Carnitas

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 3-4 hours

Serving Size: 6-8

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch chunks
• 1 orange, quartered
• 1 onion, quartered
• 4 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1 cup chicken broth

Instructions:

1. Place pork shoulder chunks in a slow cooker.
2. Add orange quarters, onion quarters, garlic cloves, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour chicken broth over the pork.
4. Cook on low for 3-4 hours, or until pork is easily shredded.
5. Shred pork with two forks.
6. Broil the shredded pork for a few minutes until the edges are crispy.

Nutrition Information (per serving):