Turkey Carnitas

Turkey Carnitas

Wild Turkey Recipe

Serves:10-12
Prep:20 minutes
Cook:3-4 hours
Difficulty:Advanced
4.2(195)

1Setup & Prepare

About This Recipe

Turkey legs are slow-braised in citrus and spices until fork-tender, then shredded and crisped for authentic carnitas texture. The traditional Mexican technique transforms tough leg meat into incredibly flavorful taco filling with crispy edges and bright citrus notes.

2Ingredients

Shopping List

*Turkey

2 ingredients2 with images2 with subs

3Cooking Instructions

  1. Initial Browning: Brown turkey pieces in fat in Dutch oven. Brown all sides for maximum flavor.

  2. Braising Setup: Add citrus juices and aromatics. Liquid should come halfway up turkey. Add water if needed.

  3. Slow Cooking: Cover, braise at 275°F for 3-4 hours. Turkey should be falling apart tender. Remove lid last hour to concentrate flavors.

  4. Shredding and Crisping: Shred meat, discarding bones and skin. Spread on sheet pan. Broil 5-8 minutes until edges crisp.

Watch the Recipe

See the techniques in action with our step-by-step video guide

4Chef's Notes & Pairings

Nutrition Facts

Per serving: 365 calories, 46g protein, 13g fat, 10g carbohydrates.


5Interactive Recipe Tools

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6Reviews & Ratings

4.2
Based on 195 reviews
5 star
82
4 star
75
3 star
26
2 star
10
1 star
2