30 Delicious Ways and Dishes To Serve With Pork Carnitas
Stuck on what to serve with pork carnitas fajitas for carnitas night?
Here are some easy main and side dish recipes, from traditional Mexican dishes like Mexican rice to plantain chips and maduros.
Start With A Delicious Pork Carnitas Recipe
Try a pork carnitas recipe or “little meats” with veggie fajitas. I love this easy and delicious carnitas fajitas recipe made with pork butt (you can also use pork shoulder), freshly squeezed orange juice, fresh citrus, and tons of spices like chili powder, ground cumin, bay leaves, and garlic cloves.
Serve Tender Pork Carnitas with a Main Dish
So many incredibly easy and delicious dishes might not be your “traditional” carnitas sides or traditional Mexican dishes.
Still, they go incredibly well with crispy pork carnitas and make a great addition to this classic dish.
Cilantro Lime Rice
Turn fluffy white rice into cilantro lime rice with freshly hand-cut cilantro and fresh lime juice, for the perfect cilantro lime rice.
2. Black Beans
Turn canned black beans into a delicious side or main dish for a classic carnitas bowl mix.
3. Fluffy White Rice
I mean, fluffy white rice is a magical canvas for anything that’s full of flavor, so you truly can’t go wrong with plain white fluffy rice.
4. Chimichurri Rice
Chimichurri is tangy and herbaceous and tastes incredibly delicious with pork carnitas. It’s also a simple recipe: white rice, hand-chopped herbs, citrus, garlic, salt, and a hint of spice.
5. Lentejas (Lentils)
Lentils, with tons of spices and flavor, can be topped with carnitas or served as a side.
6. Refried Beans
You can make refried beans using canned pinto beans, cook them more, season and smash them. Served with rice and pico de gallo salsa.
7. Pinto Beans
Whether canned or made from scratch, these are delicious with rice and a protein like crispy carnitas!
8. Mexican Rice
Tomatoey red rice with tons of flavor from cumin, garlic, and onion.
Delicious Side Dishes
Many of these tasty sides are more traditional than others but still equally delicious.
9. Air Fryer Plantain Chips
Thinly sliced, air-fried plantain chips! These are good with just about anything (and kids love these).
10. Air Fryer Yuca Fries
Air-fried classic yuca fries are made with less fat yet turn out even crispier than the classic deep-fried recipe.
11. Air Fryer Sweet Plantains
Sweet, heavenly plantains, quickly air-fried with just a light brushing of avocado oil! The sweetness would make the perfect pairing with carnitas.
12. Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
Make these easy homemade air fryer corn tortilla chips with corn tortillas, a hint of water, and avocado oil for a crispy, tortilla chip, not submerged in oil.
13. Twice Fried Plantains (Patacones)
Smashed green plantains, fried twice, with a pinch of salt. Top the patacones with carnitas for a delicious plantain bite.
14. Crispy Yuca Fries
Carnitas pair well with something crispy, and these yuca fries are divine!
15. Guacamole
Fresh avocado, tomato, onion, cilantro, and a hint of salt. That’s all that it takes for the best guac.
16. Warm Tortillas (Flour)
Load flour tortillas with carnitas, fajitas, and cheese, then grill for a crispy flour quesadilla!
17. Corn Tortillas
Warm corn tortillas make the best carnitas tacos topped with fresh cilantro, lime juice, and a hint of sour cream.
18. Mexican Street Corn
Freshly grilled corn on the cob topped with mayo and lime juice, sprinkled with cotija cheese, chili powder, and a hint of freshly cut cilantro.
19. French Fries
Crispy fries topped with melted queso and a hint of tajin are incredibly delicious and pair well with a savory protein.
20. Sweet Potato Fries
Quickly fried or air-fried crispy sweet potato fries pair well with a carnitas sandwich!
21. Veggie Fajitas
Caramelized onions and sweet bell peppers give the dish a touch of sweetness to balance the tender carnitas.
Sauces & Favorite Mexican Toppings
22. Pico de Gallo Sauce
This classic sauce or salsa is made with tomato, onion, cilantro, and jalapeño with a hint of lime juice.
23. Aji Picante
This Colombian empanada sauce doesn’t only work with empanadas. I love the brightness and herbiness in this mildly spicy sauce.
24. Pineapple Salsa
Grab fresh or frozen pineapple chunks and mix them with diced cherry peppers, lime juice, and fresh cilantro. Yum!
25. Fresh Cilantro with Fresh Lime Juice
Hand-cut fresh cilantro with finely diced white onion, and fresh lime juice.
26. Romaine Lettuce (or Bib Lettuce)
Turn the carnitas into lettuce cups with fresh bib lettuce, or top the carnitas with freshly chopped romaine lettuce.
27. Salsa Verde (Tomatillo Sauce)
You can make it from scratch or grab Trader Joe’s tomatillo sauce, which is delicious! Tomatillo is slightly tangy and earthy. It’s great with chips an sour cream.
28. Passion Fruit Juice
Refreshing frozen passion fruit with a touch of sugar, ice, and water. Perfect to make in big batches for large groups, or individual portions.
Passion fruit is slightly tangy, and tropical!
29. Coconut Limeade
Coconutty limeade with a touch of fresh mint and lots of ice—this lemonade do coco makes me feel like I’ve been transported to an island!
30. Classic Margarita
You can also turn this into a mocktail. If you love margaritas, it would be perfect with pork carnitas tacos!
Share and Comment
Share and tag me with your favorite sides. I’d love to know your favorites, and to see photos of your creations.
