Leftover Turkey "Carnitas" Recipe
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Category
Main Dish
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Cusine
American
What do you need?
How to make?
Ingredients
Any amount leftover cooked dark-meat turkey
1 orange, preferably sour, per pound
1 medium onion of leftover turkey meat
2 bay leaves per pound of leftover turkey meat
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, chicken fat, turkey fat, or duck fat per pound of leftover turkey meat
Kosher salt
Directions
Combine turkey , orange, onion, and bay leaf in a pot that fits them snugly. Add enough water to cover halfway. Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce to a bare simmer and cook until turkey is fall-off-the-bone tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Discard orange, onion, and bay leaves and drain turkey well. Shred turkey and discard bones. Heat oil or fat in a cast iron or nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add turkey and spread into an even layer. Cook, without moving, until meat is well browned and crisp on the bottom, about 5 minutes. Stir turkey to incorporate the crisp bits and introduce new soft bits to the bottom. Continue this process until the turkey is as crisp as you like it . Season with salt. Turkey carnitas can be used in place of pork carnitas in any recipe. Try them in a taco with onion, cilantro, and lime juice; on top of nachos; or in a burrito or quesadilla.