Carnitas, ‘ little meats,’ is a Mexican dish made by braising or simmering pork in oil or lard until it’s tender. Leftover carnitas is almost indispensable after supper or a family event.

However, some people make carnitas above what is needed to recreate some carnitas-based meals later. But, most people don’t know more than a couple of meal ideas. And if you are also thinking, what to do with leftover carnitas?

You can use your leftover carnitas to make simple carnitas bowls or combine them with other ingredients as the main recipe for a new meal.

With leftover carnitas, you will never be short of ideas as this article contains 10 new meals (and a bonus) on what you can do with leftover carnitas. Let’s have a look!

What to Do With Leftover Carnitas?

Leftover carnitas is excellent for making new meals like Carnitas Barbecue, Carnitas-stuffed Sweet Potatoes, Carnitas Egg Benedict, and Carnitas Taco Salad.

You can also use your leftover carnitas as the base ingredient for whipping up carnitas bowls like Crockpot Carnitas Recipe or Slow Cooker Chipotle Pineapple Carnitas. There are a plethora of options out there!

Beyond the traditional servings of stuffing carnitas into soft corn tortillas, rolling them into a leaf-steamed tamale, piling them atop a crispy tostada shell, or folding carnitas into a burrito, carnitas are very versatile.

This means you can never run out of new recipes to make out of your leftover carnitas.

10 New Meals to Make With Leftover Carnitas

When using your leftover carnitas, you don’t have to stick to traditional Mexican dishes in your remake, there are loads of American dishes you can alter using this Mexican delicacy. Let’s cut right to the chase with 10 new meals you can make from leftover carnitas:

1. Carnitas Barbecue

Carnitas Barbecue is an easy remaking of your leftover carnitas. Simply toss your carnitas in your favorite barbecue sauce and heat it for a fresh taste. Serve on a sweet potato bun with coleslaw toppings. Ta-da!

Get the recipe here.

2. 5 Ingredient Carnitas Soup

This recipe is one of the easiest soups to throw together. To make this tasty soup, cook your leftover carnitas, chicken stock, salsa verde, potatoes, and cumin.

Get the recipe here.

3. Carnitas Salad

Adding some slow-cooked crispy carnitas to your Airstream salad is the best way to infuse some greens into your leftover carnitas meals.

You can also create a carnitas taco salad from a mix of romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, sliced avocado, red onion, and crumbled tortilla chips, all topped with some irresistible honey-mustard vinaigrette. 

Get the recipe here.

4. Carnitas-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

An easy recipe of baked sweet potatoes for using up your leftovers. To prepare this meal, stuff baked sweet potatoes with slow-cooked pork carnitas and topped it up with yogurt or tangy avocado salsa for balance in flavors. Now, you can take a bite of heaven.

Get the recipe here.

5. Carnitas Flatbread

This meal is one of the fastest to make on the list. Simply get your flatbread, add complementary toppings like fresh cilantro, lime crema, raw or pickled red onion, corn, peppers, and plenty of cheese. All set!

Get the recipe here.

6. Carnitas and Grits

Safe to say that carnitas and grits are cousins to shrimp and grits. To make this simple meal while maximizing your leftover carnitas, simply

• Make a creamy bowl of hominy grits
• Pile your leftover carnitas atop the grits.
• Add an optional garnish of chopped cilantro, pickled red onions, or extra jalapeños for an extra kick. Ta-da!

Get the recipe here.

7. Carnitas Egg Benedict

This meal is simply egg benedict with a Mexican twist-carnitas.

Carnitas egg benedict is the perfect brunch to make from yesterday’s leftover carnitas. Grab yourself cilantro lime hollandaise, creamy avocado, and whole wheat English muffins toasted to perfection, and you have all you need to make an epic brunch!

The main difference between the regular egg benedict and carnitas egg benedict is that the ham is swapped for carnitas. You can also swap the lime hollandaise for an excellent salsa verde.

Get the recipe here.

8. Carnitas Sandwich

Carnitas sandwiches are the remaking of the classic tuna sandwich. Only that carnitas replace the tuna this time. Add a sprinkling of crispy pork skins atop your carnitas for more excellent meaty flavor and a crunchy texture.

Add a layer of cherry tomatoes tossed with slivered jalapeño and a splash of acidic red wine vinegar for extra heavenly flavor.

Get the recipe here.

9. Crispy Barbecue Pork Potato Skins

Are you hungry for a hearty potato skins recipe with your leftover carnitas? This meal will satisfy your craving and more! 

Season your pork potato skins with Kansas City rub and toss your leftover carnitas in barbecue sauce. Place the carnitas in the seasoned skins and top the arrangement with lots of melty cheddar cheese. This meal is easy and perfect for football Sundays!

Get the recipe here.

10. Carnitas Scrambled Egg

Your breakfast eggs can get the extra touch of some leftover carnitas, simply add some to your scrambled egg when making breakfast. You can also tilt this simple meal towards a traditional Mexican breakfast by spreading salsa verde or sprinkling crushed tortilla chips over the top. 

Get the recipe here.

Bonus

Quesadillas

Quesadillas are an excellent infusion of tortillas and leftover carnitas. To prepare, place a tortilla in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add cheese, carnitas, salsa & any other veggies to create your quesadillas.

Top your quesadillas with more salsa, sour cream, avocado & cilantro; you are a good go! You can make this into a breakfast meal by adding scrambled eggs. 

Get the recipe here.

Conclusion

Having leftover carnitas is an exciting base for some of the most unexpected meals you can think of. The options are as numerous as our creativity permits.

We also believe that our article has filled you with ideas of what to cook when next you’re faced with the question of ‘what to do with leftover carnitas?’