Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Smithfield® Marinated Fresh Pork. The opinions and text are all mine.
30 minute meals, fajitas, and Summer!!
Summer just reminds me of lazy days at the beach, friends texting and spontaneously coming to dinner and MEXICAN flavors! Seriously though, limes and cilantro have summer written all over them! Are you like me and get cravings for your favorite Mexican restaurant in the summer? I do. Like every day. Or at least every week!
When my family moved to the Tri Cities from the Seattle area, the one thing we couldn’t find is a great Mexican restaurant. Boohoo! It was a sad few years of us as we longed for our favorite restaurant from western Washington. We tried almost every single one locally and nothing quite satisfied our taste buds. We always just looked at each other across the table and shook our heads. Until about a year ago! Yippee! We found a place that we love and when we did, we definitely made up for lost time! I think we ate there every Sunday for at least 6 months!
One of our favorite dishes at this restaurant is fajitas! The amazing charred onions, peppers and mushrooms with some flavorful, marinated steak or chicken….nothing like it! I have tried to make this at home a few times, but it just never is quite as good as the pros do it. The proteins have never been full of flavor like what I am used to at the restaurant. UNTIL NOW!!
Oh my goodness. Seriously, guys!! I don’t know if I’ll ever have to leave the house to satisfy my Mexican cravings. Instead of having our friends meet us at the Mexican restaurant, I’ll have them bring the salsa and just have them come over to our house! This recipe is so quick, it’s just as fast to make at home! I’ve found the golden ticket…and I found it at Safeway! I am so happy that I found Smithfield Boneless Pork Shoulder Seasoned Carnitas in the fresh meat section at Safeway.
Honestly, folks….Mexican food dream come true!
It is pre-marinated and the flavor is a perfect blend of peppery dry rub goodness and because the marinade is done for you, it’s real flavor, real fast! You can whip up a restaurant quality meal for your family in only 30 minutes! How awesome is that!! I can’t wait to share this recipe with you.
Marinated Pork Carnitas Recipe
Marinated Pork Carnitas Ingredients:
1 package Smithfield Boneless Pork Shoulder Seasoned Carnitas
1 Green Bell Pepper, sliced
1 Red Bell Pepper, sliced
1 Orange Bell Pepper, sliced
1 Onion, sliced into rings and cut in half
1 cup sliced Mushrooms
3 Cloves Garlic
1 tbsp butter
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp onion powder
Salt & pepper to taste
What to do:
Slice up your veggies evenly.
Turn Instant Pot on Sauté and allow inner pot to get hot.
Add 1 tbsp butter to the Instant Pot and allow to melt.
Add Smithfield Boneless Pork Shoulder Seasoned Carnitas to inner pot.
Brown Carnitas on all sides (about 2 min per side) ***Instant Pot Tip: This step adds lots of yummy extra flavor!
While Carnitas are browning, warm up Cast Iron Skillet to medium high heat.
Take out Carnitas and add 2 cups chicken broth & Instant Pot Steam rack.
Add Carnitas back into Instant Pot on top of the steam rack.
Add 1/2 sliced onion and garlic cloves.
Put on the Instant Pot Lid, turn on Manual for 18 minutes.
Add 1 tbsp butter and onions to hot cast iron pan, cook for 2 minutes.
Add Mushrooms & Bell Peppers to cast iron pan and sauté for 5 minutes, or until vegetables are lightly browned and softened.
Add garlic powder, cumin, onion powder and salt & pepper to vegetables in cast iron pan.
When Instant Pot beeps, move the float valve to venting and allow steam to escape.
When pressure is released, remove lid and then Carnitas and chop into 1 inch pieces.
Add Carnitas & sautéed vegetables to warmed tortilla, add toppings and enjoy!
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 6
Serving size:
Calories:
Fat:
- 1 package Smithfield Boneless Pork Shoulder Seasoned Carnitas
- 1 Green Bell Pepper, sliced
- 1 Red Bell Pepper, sliced
- 1 Orange Bell Pepper, sliced
- 1 Onion, sliced into rings and cut in half
- 1 cup sliced Mushrooms
- 3 Cloves Garlic
- 2 tbsp butter (separated)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Corn Tortillas (we like the mini taco truck style ones!)
- Optional toppings:
- Green Onions, Cilantro, Sour Cream, Salsa, Lime Wedges
- Slice up your veggies evenly.
- Turn Instant Pot on Sauté and allow inner pot to get hot.
- Add 1 tbsp butter to the Instant Pot and allow to melt.
- Add Smithfield Boneless Pork Shoulder Seasoned Carnitas to inner pot.
- Brown Carnitas on all sides (about 2 min per side) This adds lots of yummy flavor!
- While Carnitas are browning, warm up Cast Iron Skillet to medium high heat.
- Take out Carnitas and add 2 cups chicken broth & Instant Pot Steam rack
- Add Carnitas back into Instant Pot on top of the steam rack.
- Add ½ sliced onion and garlic cloves.
- Put on the Instant Pot Lid, turn on Manual for 18 minutes.
- Add 1 tbsp butter and onions to hot cast iron pan, cook for 2 minutes.
- Add Mushrooms & Bell Peppers to cast iron pan and sauté for 5 minutes, or until vegetables are lightly browned and softened.
- Add garlic powder, cumin, onion powder and salt & pepper to vegetables in cast iron pan.
- When Instant Pot beeps, move the float valve to venting and allow steam to escape.
- When pressure is released, remove lid and then Carnitas and chop into 1 inch pieces.
- Add Carnitas & sautéed vegetables to warmed tortilla, add toppings and enjoy!
Smithfield is also challenging you to see what you can do with Marinated Fresh Pork to get a flavorful meal ready in about 30 minutes with their “What Can You Do With 30?” meal and tip contest. For more 30-minute meal preparation ideas, and to submit your original recipe for a chance to win great prizes, head to www.SmithfieldRealFlavorRealFast.com