Cilantro or flat-leafed parsley, chopped, for garnish
Vegetable, canola or other neutral cooking oil for frying.
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Instructions
Slow-Cooked Mexican Carnitas Recipe Note that the carnitas cooking time is about 2 hours, so plan accordingly. The carnitas can be made well ahead and refrigerated or frozen. Re-warm before using.
For the Mexican Crema: Combine all the ingredients in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and set it out at room temperature for 3 hours. Refrigerate if making well ahead, but bring to room temperature before serving.
For the Quick Pickled Onions: Combine vinegar, sugar and salt in a medium bowl. Add sliced onion and stir to combine. Press onion below the surface of the vinegar as much as possible. Let stand at room temperature for 1 hour. If making well ahead, cover and refrigerate. Drain onions from liquid before using.
For the flautas or taquitos: Lay a stack of flour tortillas on a cutting board in front of you. Cut the curved sides off both sides of the circle (the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock edges), but about 1 inch at the widest point. Working with one tortilla at a time, spoon a line of carnitas down the tortilla, from 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock, being sure to fill right to the ends. Take one side of the tortilla and roll it over the carnitas, tucking it around a bit, then continue rolling. Use a toothpick through the top to keep it from unraveling. Repeat with the rest of the tortillas.
Heat a thin layer of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add flautas or taquitos and cook until golden, rotating to ensure all sides are crispy. Remove to a cooling rack, then serve topped with sliced lettuce, cheese crumbles, Mexican crema drizzle. Top with pickled onions and garnish with jalapeño rings and chopped cilantro.
Notes
Be sure to read the information above this Recipe Card, for more tips on making this recipe.