Carnitas Huevos Rancheros Recipe

Huevos Rancheros is a delicious Mexican breakfast dish that typically consists of eggs, pork (often in the form of chorizo or shredded pork), corn tortillas, and served on a flavorful tomato-based sauce. 

Huevos Rancheros has many variations and Carnitas Huevos Rancheros is one of the delicious variation of this traditional Mexican breakfast dish, Huevos Rancheros, which features eggs and carnitas (braised and shredded pork). 

The standout ingredient in Carnitas Huevos Rancheros is carnitas, which is slow-cooked and tender, usually pork shoulder or similar cuts. Carnitas are typically seasoned with spices like cumin, oregano, and citrus and slow-cooked until they are tender and flavorful.

Just like the classic Huevos Rancheros, the tomato sauce in Carnitas Huevos Rancheros is typically prepared with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and chili peppers, giving it a zesty and slightly spicy flavor.

To prepare Carnitas Huevos Rancheros, the tomato sauce is spread on the tortilla, followed by a generous portion of carnitas, which adds a savory, juicy, and slightly crispy texture. The dish is then topped with fried or poached eggs.

Common toppings include chopped cilantro, onions, crumbled queso fresco, and avocado slices, adding freshness, creaminess, and a touch of crunch to the dish. Here is a recipe of Carnitas Huevos Rancheros.

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Ingredients of Carnitas Huevos Rancheros:

For the Carnitas:

• 2 lbs pork shoulder or pork butt (cut into chunks)
• 1 roughly chopped onion
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• 1 orange, juiced
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 bay leaves
• Water, as needed

For the Tomato Sauce:

• 2 cups canned crushed tomatoes or fresh tomato puree
• 1 finely chopped onion
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1-2 finely chopped jalapeño or serrano peppers (adjust to your spice preference)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

For Assembling:

• 4-6 large eggs
• 4-6 corn tortillas
• Chopped fresh cilantro
• Chopped onions
• Queso fresco or crumbled cheese of your choice
• Avocado slices
• Cooking oil

Instructions of Making Carnitas Huevos Rancheros:

1. For the Carnitas:

• Combine the pork chunks, chopped onion, minced garlic, orange juice, lime juice, cumin, dried oregano, salt and pepper in a large, heavy pot or Dutch oven,. Add the bay leaves to it.
• Add enough water to cover the pork and then bring it to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to low when it starts boiling. Cover the pot  and simmer for about 2-3 hours or until the pork is tender and easily shreds. Check the pork time to time and add water as needed to keep the meat from drying out.
• Increase the heat to medium-high once the pork is tender and cook uncovered until the liquid has mostly evaporated and the pork becomes crispy and golden brown. Stir occasionally and  remove the bay leaves.

2. For the Tomato Sauce:

• Heat some cooking oil over medium heat in a separate saucepan. Add the chopped onion to it when the cooking oil is hot and cook until it becomes translucent.
• Add minced garlic and chopped jalapeño or serrano peppers. Cook it for a few minutes or until fragrant.
• Stir in the crushed tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper and  simmer for about 15-20 minutes allowing the sauce to thicken.

3. For Assembling:

• Heat a little cooking oil over medium heat in a skillet. Fry the eggs to your preferred doneness, keeping the yolks runny if possible.
• Warm now the corn tortillas in a dry skillet or oven.

4. Serving of Carnitas Huevos Rancheros:

• Place a tortilla on a plate to assemble each serving. Spread some of the tomato sauce over the tortilla.
• Top with a generous portion of carnitas, a fried egg and your choice of toppings, including chopped cilantro, onions, queso fresco and avocado slices.
• Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade Carnitas Huevos Rancheros.

This dish is customizable, so feel free to adjust the level of spiciness and toppings according to your preference. It's a hearty and satisfying breakfast that's sure to delight your taste buds.

 Recipe Card

Cuisine: Mexican, Course: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner, Prep Time: 30mins, Cooking Time: 4 hours 30mins, Total Time: 5 hours, Serving: 8