Turkey & Duck
Turkey Carnitas with Green Mojo
Description
Shredded cooked turkey replaces the more traditional shredded pork in this riff on carnitas tacos, served with a sauce inspired by Cuban mojo.
Ingredients
- 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
- 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
Directions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
