My first try at pork carnitas. Will be doing it again!

[Garrett]

One of favorite dishes at a Mexican restaurant is carnitas, I've been saying for a long time I wanted to try making them myself. Today I finally did it and I wouldn't change a thing.
Started out with country style ribs cut into chunks. Seasoned with sea salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, and paprika.
http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s640/Garrett8405/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-09/1208C6DD-9956-4B6D-BA3F-514DC50E24F2_zpsvq57w9cu.jpg (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/Garrett8405/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-09/1208C6DD-9956-4B6D-BA3F-514DC50E24F2_zpsvq57w9cu.jpg.html)
Onto the pellet grill with hickory pellets at 180 for an hour to soak up smoke.
http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s640/Garrett8405/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-09/7A0140BB-1050-43F2-9755-708B53561D8A_zpsensaglsm.jpg (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/Garrett8405/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-09/7A0140BB-1050-43F2-9755-708B53561D8A_zpsensaglsm.jpg.html)
Made corn and black bean salsa.
http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s640/Garrett8405/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-09/62EA3F5C-CF1F-4CDB-B922-74F00325096A_zpsogmfgp8s.jpg (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/Garrett8405/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-09/62EA3F5C-CF1F-4CDB-B922-74F00325096A_zpsogmfgp8s.jpg.html)
I don't have a Blackstone, but I do have a discada. After an hour of soaking up smoke, the pork went for swim in canola oil on the disc to get a good seat.
http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s640/Garrett8405/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-09/F61C163E-F93F-45A7-833B-17C445BC39AA_zpswm3y76qh.jpg (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/Garrett8405/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-09/F61C163E-F93F-45A7-833B-17C445BC39AA_zpswm3y76qh.jpg.html)
http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s640/Garrett8405/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-09/30A0F0A5-99F5-4899-890C-0C291D999642_zpsravm1pu9.jpg (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/Garrett8405/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-09/30A0F0A5-99F5-4899-890C-0C291D999642_zpsravm1pu9.jpg.html)
After they got a good sear all around, I didn't think the tenderness was right yet, so I put them back on the pellet grill for another 30 minutes and that was enough.
http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s640/Garrett8405/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-09/DD7CEBFD-2093-4090-9039-2965E2E23C4D_zpssvjfcelr.jpg (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/Garrett8405/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-09/DD7CEBFD-2093-4090-9039-2965E2E23C4D_zpssvjfcelr.jpg.html)
Plate shots.
http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s640/Garrett8405/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-09/0A844E0F-7891-4F29-8496-DB412BE760A0_zps64xayitg.jpg (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/Garrett8405/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-09/0A844E0F-7891-4F29-8496-DB412BE760A0_zps64xayitg.jpg.html)
http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s640/Garrett8405/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-09/8837ED2F-82D6-46EE-8BB6-B88B01E99993_zps2ztqzrtj.jpg (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/Garrett8405/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-09/8837ED2F-82D6-46EE-8BB6-B88B01E99993_zps2ztqzrtj.jpg.html)
The flavor of these were unreal, the smoke flavor and texture of the sear on the outside and tender juicy pork goodness on the inside!
Thanks for looking.

[landarc]

well done,that looks excellent

[ShadowDriver]

Nicely done! That looks delicious!

[Smoke on Badger Mountain]

Very nice! That looks amazing! Thanks

[Diesel Dave]

As usual Brother, that looks amazing

[Garrett]

Thanks, I'm actually mad at myself for not trying this sooner. This will be getting cooked often. It's not often you can feed a family of 4 for less than $20 and it be that good.

[silverfinger]

It's the first thing I look at when going into any Mexican restaurant.
Yours looks great!
I've been wanting to get a copper pot and slow stir the pork for hours.
Getting it tender and crispy is key and you did just that! :thumb:

[bluetang]

That looks most inviting!

[Garrett]

The two textures of it being crispy on the outside and tender and full of juicy goodness on the inside is what makes it so good. I have t been this excited about a meal I e cooked in a long time. What better place to share my excitement!

[effinUker]

Way to go, that meat looked nice & juicy.

[krex1010]

Just drooled on my shirt a lil bit

[ssv3]

Killer!

[SteveKing]

This is an interesting take on carnitas!

[SGH]

Spectacular cook brother. I would devour that!!

[jmoffatt]

Damn that looks good

[Buckeye79]

I am a big carnitas fan. Those look as good or better than any I have found in the Mexican joints. Nice work!

[Big V]

Looks good!

[Phubar]

Oh yummm!

[cheez59]

Man oh man that looks good. If you don't mind tell us how you made the black bean salsa please.

[Garrett]

Man oh man that looks good. If you don't mind tell us how you made the black bean salsa please.

1 can of black beans drained
1 can of corn drained
1 can of Rotel drained
Salt and pepper to taste
Half bunch of fresh cilantro chopped( I like it and use a lot) 1/4 bunch will be fine
4-5 tablespoons of honey (I don't measure it just guessing)

Mix it all together and let sit in fridge for a couple hours before serving.

[Titch]

That all looks delicious,
I have never had that dish

[AussieMatt]

Mate, got any leftovers? :becky:

[code3rrt]

Looks great!

KC

[Dr. Trout Bum]

Nice looking carnitas!

[Garrett]

Mate, got any leftovers? :becky:

I will have to make more next time, got just enough for lunch today.

[Big George's BBQ]

That really looks Good

[garyk1398]

It isn't lunchtime here but now I'm hungry. Thanks for the pron!

[doubt3]

Added to the list of cooks to try. Only been on the forum a few days and already have too many things to try for the weekend.

[hammb]

Carnitas is a food of the gods. Nicely done!

[B-More BBQ Junkie]

Pork candy

[Spudco]

Carnitas is a food of the gods. Nicely done!

Indeed!
Good job.

[cowgirl]

Looks fantastic Garrett! Love the salsa too. Well done Sir!

[brimclau]

Ooooh, gotta try that one - looks outstanding

great idea and thanks for posting!