I’ll admit it, I was skeptical when a friend told me that the Park Street Aldi carnitas are “the best she’s ever had.” I mean, come on, how good could they really be? But then I decided to try them for myself, and boy, was I in for a treat. These things are seriously delicious. In fact, they’re so good that I’m not even sure if I can go back to eating regular carnitas ever again. If you’re a fan of pork, you owe it to yourself to try these out. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.
What Are Carnitas?
For those of you who may not be familiar, carnitas are basically slow-cooked pork that is shredded or chopped and then typically served with tortillas, salsa, and other Mexican-inspired toppings. They’re often described as being like pulled pork, but in my opinion, they’re even better. The key to making good carnitas is to cook the pork low and slow so that it is nice and tender. And that’s exactly what Aldi does.
How to Cook Aldi Carnitas Tacos
First, let’s talk about the ingredients I used for this delicious dish. It’s just three ingredients and they were all obtained from Aldi.
Ingredients
- Park Street Deli Pork Carnitas 16 oz. $7.95
- Park Street Deli Mango Pico De Gallo 10 oz. $3.55 – This stuff is so freaking awesome. One of my favorite Aldi Finds of all-time.
- Pueblo Lindo Corn Tortillas – 30 ct. $2.05 – For me it’s yellow or GTFO. I always keep these bad boys on hand.
So for under a hare under $14, this is a meal for 3-4 people with very minimal preparation.
Obviously, the pico de Gallo and corn tortillas are a matter of preference. If you’re into using salsa or a different type of tortilla then that’s obviously our call. Some other changes you could make include flour tortillas, black beans, sour cream, onion, tomatoes or whatever else floats your boat. The possibilities are endless.
Cooking Process
If you follow the instructions on the package there are two different ways to cook (more like heat up) the carnitas. The recommended way is just three minutes in the microwave. All you do is cut some holes in the plastic packaging, leave that laying in the bigger plastic container and put them in the microwave for three minutes. From there you cut the plastic packaging open and dump them into the larger plastic container. Be careful because those suckers are HOT.
The other way to cook them is by using the oven. Going in I figured to use the oven or crock pot or slow cooker, but if Aldi says the microwave is the best way to do then say no more.
Aldi Carnitas Review
When I first laid eyes on the carnitas, I have to admit that I was a bit dubious. They just didn’t look as good as the ones I usually get at my favorite Mexican restaurant. But looks can be deceiving, and these things are PACKED with flavor. The pork is juicy and tender, and the seasoning is spot-on. At $7.49 a pound some might find that pricey, but when you factor in it’s an already prepared meal for you, it’s very reasonable.
Another thing to point out is they were still very good the next day after being reheated. I put them in the refrigerator overnight and heated them up the next day in the microwave. Just did 30 seconds, put them on a corn tortilla with the pico once again and they were just as good.
If you’re thinking about giving Aldi carnitas a try, just do it. Seriously, just go for it. You won’t regret it. In fact, you might just find yourself falling in head-over-heels in love with them like I did. Trust me on this one, they’re worth every single bite.
Conclusion
Aldi carnitas are the best thing since sliced bread—and trust me, that’s saying a lot coming from me. If you love pork, you need to try these things ASAP. They’re juicy, flavorful, and incredibly affordable. So what are you waiting for? Head to your nearest Aldi and pick up a pound (or two) of carnitas today! You’ll thank me later.