carnitas

[ kahr-nee-tuhz; Spanish kahr-nee-tahs ]

plural noun

, Mexican Cooking.

1. small or shredded pieces of crisp roast pork, eaten as a snack, used as a filling for burritos, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of carnitas¹

< Mexican Spanish, plural of carnita, equivalent to Spanish carn ( e ) meat (< Latin carnem, accusative of carō flesh, meat) + -ita diminutive suffix

Example Sentences

“Even as a kid in school, he flashed that talent,” said Luna, who now runs a family carnitas restaurant along the main highway.

From Los Angeles Times

Gutiérrez remembers going out to get carnitas with future L.A.

From Los Angeles Times

She laid out black-and-white cookies next to an Uno Attack card game and placed forks and knives next to the carnitas, chicken and tortillas that would be dinner.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s no wrong direction to go, but the latter, carnitas, is simply stellar here: crispy-edged bits of super-savory meat with an ideal slight heat.

From Seattle Times

In addition to a full weekend brunch menu filled with everything from glazed doughnuts and cinnamon rolls to steak and eggs and a potato waffle topped with carnitas, queso and a fried egg, there’s a full lunch and dinner menu.

From Seattle Times