Famous Old Town Carnitas with Naga Serpent Salsa

Name: Famous Old Town Carnitas with Naga Serpent Salsa
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 5 pounds lard; 5 pounds pork cushion meat (from the picnic end); 4 teaspoons salt; 4 cloves garlic; 3 bay leaves; 1 medium orange; Naga Serpent Salsa, for serving, recipe follows; Tortillas, for serving; 1 cup naga chiles; 1 cup serrano chiles; 1 cup fresh tomatillos; 5 cloves garlic, roughly chopped; 1 medium onion, roughly chopped; Salt

Servings: persons

5 pounds lard
5 pounds pork cushion meat (from the picnic end)
4 teaspoons salt
4 cloves garlic
3 bay leaves
1 medium orange
Naga Serpent Salsa, for serving, recipe follows
Tortillas, for serving
1 cup naga chiles
1 cup serrano chiles
1 cup fresh tomatillos
5 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
1 medium onion, roughly chopped
Salt

1
Place the lard in a medium pot over medium heat.
2
Once all of the lard is melted, add the pork cushion meat, salt, garlic and bay leaves.
3
Cut the orange, squeeze it and add to the pot.
4
Cook until the pork shreds easily, about 2 hours.
5
Serve with the Naga Serpent Salsa in tortillas, and enjoy with a cold Mexican beer.
6
This recipe was provided by a chef, restaurant or culinary professional and may have been scaled down from a bulk recipe.
7
The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe, in the proportions indicated, and therefore, we cannot make any representation as to the results.
8
Roughly chop the chiles and tomatillos and add to a saucepan over low heat.
9
Cook for about 10 minutes.
10
Add the garlic and onion and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
11
Place all the ingredients into a blender and blend for 2 minutes.
12
Season with salt.

1400

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

154

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Feel free to swap in similar ingredients you already have on hand and adjust seasoning to taste.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 14 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 5 pounds lard, 5 pounds pork cushion meat (from the picnic end), 4 teaspoons salt, 4 cloves garlic, and more.

Yes, Famous Old Town Carnitas with Naga Serpent Salsa falls under the Meat & Poultry category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Keep refrigerated in an airtight container and enjoy within 1–2 days for the best freshness. Best served cold — no reheating needed.

That's it — enjoy your meal!