Barbacoa vs Carnitas, what's the difference between the two? If you love Mexican Food and slow-cooked meats, you are probably familiar with barbacoa and carnitas; both are mouthwatering staples of Mexican cuisine that have captured the hearts (and taste buds) of food lovers worldwide.
While each dish involves succulent, slow-cooked meats, they are far from being interchangeable. Read on to uncover the delightful differences between Barbacoa vs Carnitas.
What Is Barbacoa?
Traditionally, barbacoa is made from beef, specifically the meat from the head of the cow, including the cheeks, tongue, and other parts. However, in some regions, lamb meat or goat meat can be used as well. In the United States barbacoa is typically made with beef, which is a popular choice, especially if you are not a fan of beef cheek or beef tongue.
Barbacoa is renowned for its rich, smoky taste, a result of the slow cooking process. The use of various spices such as dried chilies or chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, garlic, chili powder, cumin, and cloves imparts a complex and robust flavor to the meat, making it a unique and unforgettable experience.
What Are Carnitas?
Carnitas are exclusively made with pork. Typically, it is made using various cuts of pork, such as pork shoulder, pork butt, or pork loin.
Additionally, carnitas are usually prepared by simmering or braising the pork in a large dutch oven, crock pot or cauldron. The meat is cooked in its own fat until it becomes tender and develops a crispy exterior.
How Is Barbacoa Made?
Barbacoa is traditionally cooked underground. The meat is seasoned with various spices and wrapped in banana leaves or agave leaves, then placed in a pit filled with hot coals. The pit is then covered with soil, allowing the barbacoa meat to slow-cook for several hours.
Most of us don’t have access to a pit of coals, so thankfully there are other slow-cooking methods we can take advantage of. You can make barbacoa in a slow cooker, pressure cooker/instant pot, or my personal favorite is in a Dutch oven.
When making barbacoa at home, you want to ensure you select a good quality cut of meat. The meat is seasoned then seared, and finally allowed to cook low and slow in a mixture of liquid and spices, then shredded into large chunks. The slow-cooking process of barbacoa allows the meat to become incredibly tender and infused with a rich, smoky flavor. If you are interested in making Barbacoa at home, check out my easy Barbacoa recipe.
How Are Carnitas Made?
Carnitas are also cooked low and slow, through a braising process. Like with Barbacoa, you want to ensure the meat you purchase is good quality. Ideally, pasture-raised pork as it is more nutritious and flavorful.
Next, the meat is seasoned with a blend of spices, including cinnamon, cloves, and garlic, before being simmered in its juices at a low temperature until it becomes tender. Once the slow-cooked pork is tender, it is often placed in a hot pan to achieve a crispy texture.
Barbacoa vs Carnitas: What’s The Difference?
While both barbacoa and carnitas are flavorful slow-cooked meat dishes, the main difference lies in the type of meat used, the cooking method, and the resulting flavors and textures. Barbacoa typically involves slow-cooked beef or other meats in an underground pit, while carnitas are made with pork, cooked using low heat then shredded and finished off by being cooked on high heat in a pan until tender and crispy.
How To Serve Barbacoa And Carnitas
Both barbacoa and carnitas are versatile and can be served in various ways, such as in:
- Burritos
- Quesadillas
- Nachos
- Tacos (best served on corn tortillas)
- Burrito Bowls
- As A Salad
- With A Side Of Refried Beans And White Rice
Barbacoa And Carnitas Toppings
You can top barbacoa or carnitas with any of the following:
- Cilantro
- Chopped Onions
- Pickled Onions
- Guacamole
- Pico de Gallo
- Sour Cream
- Mango Habanero Salsa
- Lime Wedges
- Cotija Cheese
- Sharp White Cheddar Cheese
- Hot Sauce
- Jalapenos
- Spicy Slaw
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pulled Pork The Same As Carnitas?
Pulled pork and carnitas are both delicious meat dishes, but they are not the same; they come from different culinary traditions and have distinct preparation methods.
Pulled pork is seasoned with a dry rub or marinade and then slow-cooked for several hours until it becomes tender enough to be easily pulled apart into shreds using forks. The pulled pork is typically mixed with BBQ sauce and served as a sandwich filling or as a main dish with various barbecue sauces.
Barbacoa vs Carnitas: Which One Is Better?
Ultimately, which one is better depends on your personal taste preferences. If you enjoy the rich, smoky flavors of slow-cooked meats, you might lean towards Barbacoa. On the other hand, if you love tender and crispy pork with a delicious, savory taste, Carnitas might be your top choice.
The best way to determine which one you prefer is to try both dishes from reputable Mexican restaurants or prepare them at home using authentic recipes. That way, you can enjoy the flavors and textures and decide which one suits your palate better.
What Kind Of Meat Is Barbacoa From Chipotle?
Chipotle's barbacoa is mainly made with beef shoulder. The beef barbacoa is braised low and slow to keep the meat tender.
What Does Barbacoa Taste Like?
Beef Barbacoa is a little tangy with a subtle but distinct spicing. It's very flavorful and can be spicy due to the use of chipotle chilies in adobo sauce. The unique thing about Barbacoa is the slight tartness of the sauce, which cuts through the rich meat, and the warmth from cloves.
Is Barbacoa Like Carne Asada?
Like barbacoa, carne asada is made with beef and not pork. Carne asada uses beef strips such as sirloin or rib and is marinated in lime juice and carne asada seasoning. The meat is sliced and not pulled or shredded. White both are popular Mexican dishes, each dish imparts different flavors.
Which Cut Of Pork Is Best For Carnitas?
Pork shoulder (or pork butt) is the traditional cut that is used for carnitas. Additionally, you can also experiment with leaner cuts, such as pork loin or pork tenderloin.
Can I have Barbacoa or Carnitas While On The Keto Diet?
Yes! Barbacoa and carnitas can be keto-friendly options, depending on how they are prepared and what ingredients are used. The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that encourages the body to enter a state of ketosis, where it burns fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates.
However, you need to be mindful of the accompanying sauces and toppings when consuming barbacoa or carnitas on a ketogenic diet. Some commercial barbecue sauces or marinades may contain added sugars or high-carb ingredients, which can increase the carb count.
For a keto-friendly option, choose barbacoa and carnitas that are cooked with minimal added sugars or high-carb ingredients. Opt for fresh, whole ingredients and avoid toppings or wraps that are high in carbohydrates, such as tortillas or taco shells. Instead, you can enjoy them with low-carb alternatives like lettuce wraps, cauliflower rice, or in a keto-friendly burrito bowl.
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