Turkey Carnitas with Green Mojo

Turkey Carnitas with Green Mojo

Shredded cooked turkey replaces the more traditional shredded pork in this riff on carnitas tacos, served with a sauce inspired by Cuban mojo.

Calories
259
Carbohydrates
42g
Protein
28g
Potassium
723mg
Fiber
8g
Sugar
14g

Ingredients

Mojo

  • 1 ½ cups loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves

  • 6 tablespoons fresh orange juice (from 2 oranges)

  • ¼ cup fresh lime juice (from 2 limes)

  • 1 small (1/2-ounce) serrano chile, unseeded, chopped (about 1 1/2 tablespoons)

  • 1 medium garlic clove, smashed

  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Turkey "Carnitas"

  • 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 small (6-ounce) white onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup), plus more for serving

  • 3 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped (about 1 tablespoon)

  • 2 teaspoons ancho chile powder

  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin

  • ½ teaspoon ground coriander

  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1 cup turkey broth or chicken broth

  • ½ cup fresh orange juice (from 2 oranges)

  • ¼ cup fresh lime juice (from 2 limes)

  • 2 (4-inch) oregano sprigs

  • 2 fresh or dried bay leaves

  • 4 cups shredded cooked turkey (dark meat and white meat separated; about 1 1/4 pounds), divided

  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste

  • 8 (6-inch) corn tortillas, warmed

Direction

Make the mojo

  1. Process cilantro, orange juice, lime juice, chile, and garlic in a blender until very smooth, about 45 seconds. Remove center piece of blender lid; with blender running, slowly stream in oil until emulsified and creamy, about 20 seconds. Transfer to a small bowl; stir in salt and pepper. Cover and store in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Make the turkey "carnitas"

  1. Heat oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring often, until softened and lightly browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Add ancho chile powder, cumin, coriander, and cinnamon; cook, stirring constantly, until spice mixture is toasted and fragrant, about 1 minute. Add broth, orange juice, lime juice, oregano, and bay leaves; bring to a boil over medium-high. Boil, undisturbed, until orange juice mixture is reduced and just covers onion, about 15 minutes.

  2. Add dark turkey meat to mixture in skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes. Stir in white meat; cook, stirring occasionally, until orange juice mixture is absorbed into turkey meat, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in salt, plus more to taste. Remove from heat. Serve turkey mixture on tortillas; top with mojo and additional chopped onion.