Craving something warm, hearty, and full of flavor? This easy carnitas soup brings together tender carnitas with a zesty salsa verde and comforting potatoes. It's a perfect dish for a cozy night in or a quick family dinner.
If you don't commonly stock carnitas and salsa verde in your pantry, you might need to make a trip to the supermarket. Carnitas are slow-cooked, shredded pork that can often be found in the refrigerated section or made ahead at home. Salsa verde is a green salsa made from tomatillos and can usually be found in the Hispanic foods aisle.
Ingredients for Easy Carnitas Soup
Chicken stock: A flavorful liquid base made from simmering chicken bones and vegetables.
Yukon gold potatoes: A type of potato known for its creamy texture and buttery flavor.
Carnitas: Slow-cooked, shredded pork that's tender and flavorful.
Salsa verde: A green salsa made primarily from tomatillos, adding a tangy and slightly spicy kick to the soup.
Ground cumin: A spice that adds a warm, earthy flavor to the dish.
Pepperjack cheese: An optional topping that adds a creamy, spicy element.
Fresh arugula: A peppery green that adds a fresh and slightly bitter note.
Fresh cilantro: An herb that adds a bright, citrusy flavor.
Avocado: A creamy fruit that balances the spice with its rich texture.
Jalapenos: Spicy peppers that can be added for an extra kick of heat.
One reader, Babbie Brenner says:
This easy carnitas soup recipe is a game-changer! The flavors blend perfectly, and the salsa verde adds a delightful kick. The potatoes are tender, and the carnitas are incredibly savory. Topped with fresh cilantro and avocado, it's a comforting and delicious meal. Highly recommend!
Techniques Required for Making Carnitas Soup
How to cut potatoes: Peel and dice the Yukon gold potatoes into bite-sized pieces. How to cook carnitas: If not using pre-cooked carnitas, prepare by slow-cooking pork shoulder with spices until tender, then shred. How to simmer: Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the soup cook gently without boiling, allowing flavors to meld and potatoes to become tender. How to taste and season: Sample the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor. How to serve with toppings: Add optional toppings like pepperjack cheese, fresh arugula, cilantro, avocado, and jalapenos to individual bowls before serving.
How To Make Easy Carnitas Soup
The perfect recipe to use your leftover carnitas from your latest taco party! This incredible carnitas soup has a delicate balance of flavors and acidity.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 6cupschicken stock
- 1lbYukon gold potatoesdiced
- 4cupscarnitas
- 32ozsalsa verdestore-bought or homemade
- 2tspground cumin
For Optional Toppings:
- pepperjack cheesegrated
- fresh arugula
- fresh cilantrochopped
- avocadosliced
- jalapeñosor serranos, sliced
Instructions
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Add chicken stock, potatoes, carnitas, salsa verde and cumin to a large stockpot, and stir to combine.
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Heat over medium-high heat until boiling, then cover and reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for at least 10 minutes or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
-
Taste and season with salt and pepper, if needed. Serve warm with desired toppings.
Alternative Methods: – Slow Cooker Method: Add chicken stock, potatoes, carnitas, salsa verde and cumin to a slow cooker, and stir to combine. Cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours, or High for 3 to 4 hours. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if needed. Serve warm with desired toppings. – Instant Pot Method: Add chicken stock, potatoes, carnitas, salsa verde and cumin to an Instant Pot pressure cooker, and stir to combine. Close lid securely and set vent to “Sealing”. Press “Manual”, then press “Pressure” until the light on “High Pressure” lights up, then adjust the +/- buttons until time reads 8 minutes. Cook. Once the soup has cooked, very carefully turn the vent to “Venting” for quick release, and wait until all of the steam has released and the valve has dropped. Remove the lid. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if needed. Serve warm with desired toppings.
Nutrition
- Calories: 308.65kcal
- Fat: 6.71g
- Saturated Fat: 1.20g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 2.26g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.85g
- Carbohydrates: 47.66g
- Fiber: 7.11g
- Sugar: 14.60g
- Protein: 14.26g
- Cholesterol: 10.80mg
- Sodium: 1887.37mg
- Calcium: 59.29mg
- Potassium: 1498.12mg
- Iron: 3.94mg
- Vitamin A: 52.85µg
- Vitamin C: 52.93mg
Helpful Technique Tip for Making Carnitas Soup
When adding the potatoes to the soup, make sure to cut them into evenly sized pieces. This ensures they cook at the same rate and become tender simultaneously, enhancing the overall texture of your carnitas soup.
Time-Saving Tips for Making Easy Carnitas Soup Recipe
Prep ingredients in advance: Chop potatoes and measure out chicken stock and carnitas the night before.
Use a slow cooker: Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours for a hands-off approach.
Opt for pre-made carnitas: Purchase pre-cooked carnitas from the store to save cooking time.
Instant pot method: Use an Instant Pot to cook the soup on high pressure for 10 minutes, then quick release.
Frozen diced potatoes: Use frozen diced potatoes to eliminate chopping time.
Substitute Ingredients For Easy Carnitas Soup Recipe
chicken stock - Substitute with vegetable stock: Provides a similar depth of flavor and is suitable for vegetarians.
yukon gold potatoes - Substitute with russet potatoes: They have a similar texture and will hold up well in the soup.
carnitas - Substitute with shredded chicken: Offers a similar texture and can be seasoned to mimic the flavor of carnitas.
salsa verde - Substitute with tomatillo sauce: It has a similar tangy and slightly spicy flavor profile.
ground cumin - Substitute with ground coriander: Provides a warm, earthy flavor that complements the other ingredients.
pepperjack cheese - Substitute with monterey jack cheese: It has a similar creamy texture but is milder in flavor.
fresh arugula - Substitute with baby spinach: Offers a similar peppery taste and adds a fresh, green element to the soup.
fresh cilantro - Substitute with fresh parsley: Provides a fresh, herbaceous flavor without the soapy taste some people experience with cilantro.
avocado - Substitute with sour cream: Adds a creamy texture and a slight tanginess to the soup.
jalapenos - Substitute with serrano peppers: They have a similar heat level and can be used fresh or pickled.
Best Way to Present This Delicious Carnitas Soup
Serve in a shallow, wide bowl: Use a pristine white, shallow bowl to allow the vibrant colors of the carnitas soup to stand out. This also helps in cooling the soup slightly, making it more enjoyable to eat.
Layer the ingredients: Start by placing a generous portion of carnitas in the center of the bowl. Arrange the potatoes around the carnitas to create a visually appealing base.
Pour the broth carefully: Gently ladle the chicken stock and salsa verde mixture around the carnitas and potatoes, ensuring the ingredients are partially submerged but still visible.
Garnish with precision: Add a small mound of fresh arugula on top of the carnitas. Place thin slices of avocado and jalapenos artfully around the bowl. Sprinkle finely chopped cilantro over the entire dish for a burst of color and freshness.
Add a touch of cheese: Grate a small amount of pepperjack cheese over the soup just before serving. The heat from the soup will slightly melt the cheese, adding a creamy texture and a hint of spice.
Finish with a drizzle: Lightly drizzle a high-quality extra virgin olive oil over the top of the soup to add a glossy finish and a touch of richness.
Serve with a side: Accompany the soup with a small plate of warm, freshly made corn tortillas or crusty bread to enhance the dining experience.
Essential Tools for Making Carnitas Soup
Large stockpot: A big pot is essential for combining and cooking all the ingredients together. It provides enough space for the soup to simmer without overflowing.
Lid: A lid is necessary to cover the stockpot while simmering, which helps to cook the potatoes evenly and retain the flavors.
Wooden spoon: Useful for stirring the ingredients together and ensuring they are well mixed.
Measuring spoons: Needed to measure out the ground cumin accurately.
Knife: Essential for cutting the yukon gold potatoes into smaller pieces before adding them to the soup.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping the potatoes and any optional toppings like avocado and jalapenos.
Ladle: Ideal for serving the soup into bowls once it’s ready.
Bowls: Used for serving the soup, allowing you to add your desired toppings.
Cheese grater: If you choose to add pepperjack cheese as a topping, a grater will help you shred it easily.
Tongs: Handy for adding and removing larger pieces of carnitas if needed.
Fork: Useful for testing the tenderness of the potatoes to ensure they are cooked properly.
Storing and Freezing Carnitas Soup for Later
- Allow the carnitas soup to cool completely before storing or freezing.
- For storing in the refrigerator, transfer the cooled soup to an airtight container. It will keep well for up to 4 days in the fridge.
- When ready to reheat, transfer the desired portion to a saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. You may need to add a splash of chicken stock or water to thin out the soup if it has thickened during storage.
- For freezing, transfer the cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or resealable bags, leaving about an inch of space at the top for expansion. Label the containers with the date and freeze for up to 3 months.
- To reheat frozen soup, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator. Then, transfer the thawed soup to a saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. You may need to add a splash of chicken stock or water to adjust the consistency.
- If you plan on freezing the soup, consider undercooking the potatoes slightly, as they may become softer and break apart upon reheating.
- Freeze the soup without any toppings. Add fresh toppings like pepperjack cheese, arugula, cilantro, avocado, and jalapenos when serving the reheated soup for the best texture and flavor.
How To Reheat Leftover Carnitas Soup
Reheat the easy carnitas soup in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired temperature. This method allows you to control the heat and ensure that the potatoes and carnitas are evenly heated throughout.
If you're short on time, you can reheat the soup in the microwave. Transfer the desired portion to a microwave-safe bowl and heat it in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval, until it's heated through. Be careful not to overheat the soup, as it may cause the potatoes to become mushy.
For a quick and easy lunch, portion the leftover carnitas soup into individual microwave-safe containers before refrigerating. This way, you can easily grab a container, reheat it in the microwave, and enjoy a delicious meal without any fuss.
If you find that the soup has thickened too much after refrigeration, add a splash of chicken stock or water while reheating to help thin it out and restore its original consistency.
To add a fresh twist to your leftover carnitas soup, consider preparing some new toppings, such as crispy tortilla strips, sliced radishes, or a dollop of sour cream. These toppings can help brighten up the flavors and make the reheated soup feel like a brand new meal.
Interesting Fact About Carnitas Soup
A random fact about this recipe is that carnitas are a traditional Mexican dish made by braising or simmering pork until tender, which adds a rich and flavorful element to the soup.
Is Making Carnitas Soup at Home Cost-Effective?
This easy carnitas soup recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. Using chicken stock, yukon gold potatoes, and leftover carnitas makes it budget-friendly. The salsa verde and ground cumin add flavor without breaking the bank. Optional toppings like pepperjack cheese, fresh arugula, cilantro, avocado, and jalapenos can be adjusted based on budget. Overall Verdict: 8/10. Approximate cost for a household of 4 people: $20-$25 USD.
Is This Carnitas Soup Healthy or Unhealthy?
The easy carnitas soup recipe is a relatively healthy dish with some room for improvement. Here's a breakdown of the recipe's healthiness:
Positives:
- The recipe includes chicken stock, which can be a good source of protein and nutrients.
- Yukon gold potatoes provide complex carbohydrates and fiber.
- Salsa verde is typically made with tomatillos, onions, and peppers, offering vitamins and minerals.
- Optional toppings like fresh arugula, cilantro, and avocado add nutrients and healthy fats.
Negatives:
- Carnitas, while delicious, are typically high in fat and calories due to the cooking process.
- The recipe lacks additional vegetables, which could boost its nutritional value.
- Depending on the salsa verde used, the sodium content might be high.
To make this recipe even healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Opt for lean carnitas or replace them with shredded chicken breast for a lower-fat protein option.
- Increase the vegetable content by adding diced carrots, celery, or bell peppers to the soup.
- Use low-sodium chicken stock and salsa verde to control the salt content.
- Include additional leafy greens like spinach or kale for added nutrients and fiber.
- Top the soup with a dollop of Greek yogurt instead of cheese for a protein-rich, lower-fat alternative.
- Serve the soup with a side salad or roasted vegetables to create a well-rounded meal.
Editor's Opinion on This Carnitas Soup Recipe
This carnitas soup recipe is a delightful fusion of flavors, combining the richness of carnitas with the tangy zest of salsa verde. The use of Yukon gold potatoes adds a creamy texture, while the ground cumin enhances the depth of the broth. The optional toppings like pepperjack cheese, fresh arugula, cilantro, avocado, and jalapenos offer a customizable experience, allowing each bowl to be tailored to individual tastes. It's a straightforward yet flavorful dish that promises comfort and satisfaction with minimal effort.
Enhance Your Easy Carnitas Soup Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
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Why trust this Easy Carnitas Soup Recipe:
This easy carnitas soup recipe is a must-try for its simplicity and rich flavors. With just a few ingredients like chicken stock, potatoes, and salsa verde, it delivers a hearty and satisfying meal. The carnitas add a delicious, savory depth, while optional toppings like pepperjack cheese and avocado allow for customization. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe is both quick and delicious, making it a trustworthy addition to your cooking repertoire.
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