Carnitas (Mexican Shredded Pork)

example using the carnitas to make tacos! Ingredients 1 tbsp olive oil 4 lb pork shoulder (doesn’t matter if has bone or not, preferably not though for more meat) 3 tsp salt or more to taste 2 tsp black pepper or more to taste 1 large onion diced 1 jalapeno diced (do NOT remove the seeds, toss it all in) 5 cloves garlic minced 3/4 cup juice from squeezed oranges (just buy a couple oranges and squeeze them well) 1.5 tbsp dried oregano 2 tsp ground cumin 2 tbsp olive oil 1 cup water Instructions Put all the ingredients in an instant pot (oil and water then meat then rest of ingredients) High heat and pressure for minimum 1 hour. 1.5 hours total though is better and makes it a bit easier to shred Serve with whatever meal (tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, etc.). This recipe is only how to make the carnitas themselves; please reference one of the other taco recipes in this book for more ideas how to use the carnitas

July 15, 2026

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Ingredients 1 tbsp olive oil 1 medium onion, diced 3 garlic cloves, minced 1-2 jalapeños, diced (optional on seeding) 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp chili powder 1 lb chicken breasts or thighs (thighs are usually better) 32 oz chicken broth 14 oz can black beans, drained well 14 oz can corn, drained 20 oz can crushed tomatoes, low sodium 1/2 cup cilantro 1 tbsp lime juice Salt to taste For tortilla strips: ...

July 15, 2026

Fish and Veggie Enchiladas

Ingredients 6 white fish (cod or anything) filets thawed Oil All seasonings below sprinkled on top Touch of lime juice on all 1 yellow onion diced 4 cloves garlic minced 2 bell peppers diced 1 zucchini diced 1 jalapeno minced 1 can HOT green chilis Spices: cumin, chili powder, black pepper, garlic salt, cayenne 1 bottle guacamole salsa 3 cups mexican shredded cheese Optional toppings at table: diced avocado, tomato, cilantro ...

July 15, 2026

Mexican Birria (Beef or Lamb)

Ingredients 4 lb chuck roast (beef or lamb, bone in or out, doesn’t matter) 4 bay leaves 2 cups beef broth 1 yellow onion 8 cloves garlic 10+ oz red chile sauce 1 can (7 oz) chipotle peppers in adobo 28 oz can peeled tomatoes (or fire roasted) 1.5 tsp cumin 1.5 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp garlic salt 1.5 tsp onion powder 1.5 tsp oregano 1 tsp black pepper Instructions Put meat, bay leaves and broth in instant pot Rest of ingredients blend together well and then add to instant pot. (Note: if your blender is not big enough, all you really need to blend is the onion, garlic, chipotle peppers and tomatoes. The rest can just be poured in pot separately) Cook high heat and pressure for min of 1 hour, preferably 1.5-2 hours Serve in whatever dish you want. DO NOT THROW AWAY THE BROTH (see birria ramen recipe next)

July 15, 2026

Mexican Pasta

Ingredients 1 lb pasta (cooked to package directions) 4 tbsp butter 4 cloves garlic, minced 1.5 cups heavy cream 0.5 cup milk (almond, oat or whole) 3 tsp salt 2 tsp lime juice or more to taste 8 bay leaves 1/2 cup queso fresco (or mozzarella works too) Instructions In a sauce pan saute garlic in butter until fragrant Add the rest of the ingredients to the bay leaves. Simmer for 5+ minutes. Stirring often. It should thicken a smidge. Remove bay leaves if you can Add to the cooked pasta and stir well, add queso fresco too Notes Serve with grilled shrimp or something tasty The heavy cream, salt and lime juice is a combo to simulate Mexican cream. You can just use that instead if you got it

July 15, 2026

Mexican Rice

Ingredients 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice 1/4 cup oil (vegetable or canola oil) 3 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 medium onion, finely diced 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp chili powder 1/3 cup tomato sauce 2 teaspoons tomato bouillon granulated, or cubes (or 1 tbsp ketchup) 2 teaspoon salt 1 carrot, diced small 1/2 cup peas (frozen or fresh) 3 cups water 1-3 whole serrano peppers, optional Instructions In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, add the oil. Once hot, add the rice and stir to combine. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the rice is lightly golden brown all over (about 10 minutes) Add tomato sauce, garlic, diced onion, cumin, and chili powder to the pan. Stir. Add tomato bullion, salt, carrots, peas, and water (and serrano peppers, if using. They add a little flavor, but not spice.) Bring to a boil, then cover, reduce heat to low and cook for about 20 minutes or until the water is completely absorbed. Remove from heat and allow to rest for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork Taste test. Spruce up with more salt, pepper, and cholula as necessary

July 15, 2026

White Guy Veggie Tacos

Ingredients 1 large sweet potato, diced small 1 onion, diced small 1 zuchinni diced small 2 bell pepper diced small 4 carrots diced small 1-2 jalapenos diced (and seeded optional) 4 oz cream cheese 1 tbsp or more chili powder 1 tbsp or more cumin 1 tbsp black pepper Salt to taste Touch of lime juice to taste Flour tortillas, street taco size Optional: cholula hot sauce, salsa, avocado diced small, cilantro ...

July 15, 2026

Zesty Avocado Cream Sauce for Mexican Dishes

Ingredients 1 ripe avocado 1 cup cilantro leaves (loose, not packed) 1/3 cup sour cream 1 jalapeno (seeded) 2 garlic cloves 2 tbsp lime juice 1 tsp salt Instructions Food process all ingredients together Add to your favorite burritos, tacos, etc. Goes well when making chipotle bowls or burritos

July 15, 2026

Zesty Beans for Mexican Dishes

Ingredients 1 can black beans (rinsed and drained very well) 1/2 small can chipotles in adobo sauce 3 large garlic cloves minced 1/2 tsp cumin 1/2 tsp chili powder 1 tsp salt 3 tbsp lime juice Can of HOT rotel tomatoes (drained very well and rinsed) Instructions With a smidge of olive oil, saute the garlic until fragrant. Add chipotles and adobo sauce (about half a small can). Saute a smidge longer Add rest of ingredients and bring to simmer. Simmer for 20 minutes Using an immersion blender (ideally) smooth the beans in the pot. (You can also remove and use a food processor but that is messy… immersion blender is best here) Serve inside a burrito or with your favorite mexican dishes

July 15, 2026