If you're not sure what to serve with carnitas, I've got you covered with 25 of the best side dishes and sauces to accompany your delicious carnitas! I have gathered up Mexican dishes from my own recipe collection and several from my fellow food bloggers, with lots to choose from, including healthier and ww friendly recipes! I have everything from Mexican street corn, to rice to refried beans and soup!
![collage of 4 photos of what to serve with carnitas with white and orange text on a black circle](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/What-to-serve-with-carnitas.jpg)
Carnitas are popular any time of the year, but especially during Cinco de Mayo. This post was inspired by my delicious Slow Cooker Pork Pineapple Carnitas.
My Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork Carnitas, made with pork shoulder, is the ideal main dish to accompany these side dishes, as they are easy to cook in the slow cooker. Carnitas, the Mexican version of pulled pork, is a dish that pulled pork lovers are sure to enjoy. This recipe is loaded with flavorful ingredients such as grilled pineapple, red onion, and fresh cilantro, resulting in a spicy, fresh, and delicious taste.
This is a great recipe because it's so versatile! You can make them into carnitas tacos, which can be served with warm tortillas (gluten-free with corn tortillas, or use flour tortillas). This pork carnitas recipe can also be served over rice, as a nacho topping or in quesadillas.
![pineapple carnita on a soft taco shell with a tray of carnitas in background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Crock-pot-Pineapple-Carnitas.jpg)
What to serve with carnitas
![Mexican Street Corn Recipe](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Mexican-Street-Corn-Recipe-360x360.jpg)
![Spanish brown rice in a black bowl with a wooden spoon and sprigs of cilantro in background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Spanish-Brown-Rice-360x360.jpg)
![Pico de Gallo Salsa in a white bowl with a spoon, wedge of lime and tortilla chips on the side](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Salsa-Pico-de-Gallo-360x360.jpg)
![red tortilla chip being dipped into queso dip](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Recipe-for-Queso-dip-360x360.jpg)
![Mexican bean salad in a white bowl, with a spoon](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mexican-Bean-Salad-360x360.jpg)
![slow cooker refried beans in a brown bowl with green onions on top](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Slow-cooker-refried-beans-360x360.jpg)
![photo from above, looking down on a jar of red pickled onion with a spoon in it](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Pickled-Onions-360x360.jpg)
![tropical pineapple coconut coleslaw in a sage green and white bowl](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Tropical-Pineapple-Coconut-Coleslaw-360x360.jpg)
![green chile cauliflower rice casserole being held up on a spoon](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Green-Chile-Cauliflower-Rice-360x360.jpg)
![Chopped Mexican salad in a brown bowl](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Chopped-Mexican-Salad-360x360.jpg)
![cilantro lime hummus in a grey bowl with sliced vegetables on the side](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Cilantro-Lime-Hummus-360x360.jpg)
![Mexican Fruit Salad in a white bowl](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mexican-Fruit-Salad-360x360.jpg)
![Cornbread Salad in a glass bowl](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Cornbread-Salad-360x360.jpg)
Elevate the classic deviled eggs with a delicious Mexican twist, that are not only easy to prepare but also serve as a perfect appetizer for parties, protein-packed snacks, Game Day events, or even holiday side dishes. These deviled eggs are also ww friendly.
![3 Mexican deviled eggs photographed from above, on a grey plate](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mexican-Deviled-Eggs-360x360.jpg)
Satisfy your taste buds with this Mexican stuffed sweet potato, which brings together the delectable flavors of a spicy taco inside a double-baked sweet potato. This dish features an easy homemade spicy taco seasoning, complemented by fresh tomato, crisp lettuce, and cheddar cheese, and a creamy finish of sour cream. It's a perfect fusion of textures and tastes that's sure to leave you wanting more.
![Mexican Stuffed Sweet Potato on a bed of lettuce in a brown bowl](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mexican-Stuffed-Sweet-Potato-360x360.jpg)
![tortilla soup in a white bowl](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Tortilla-soup-360x360.jpg)
![frozen pea guacamole in grey bowl](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Pea-Guacamole-360x360.jpg)
![Mexican Street Cornbread muffin on a white plate](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mexican-Street-Cornbread-Muffins-360x360.jpg)
Do you have tomatillos on hand? You can prepare a delicious tomatillo salsa using this recipe for homemade salsa verde, which offers three different methods: raw green salsa, roasted tomatillo salsa, and avocado salsa verde.
![salsa verde in a small white bowl, on white platter, surrounded by nacho chips](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/salsa-verde-recipes-360x360.jpg)
![Mexican cactus salad in a yellow bowl with a spoon](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mexican-cactus-salad-recipe-360x360.jpg)
![](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/air-fryer-corn-riblets-360x360.jpg)
![3 containers of jalapeno mayonnaise in a diagonal row](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/jalapeno-mayonnaise-360x360.jpg)
![Charro Beans in a white dish with orange rim and red and blue flowered pattern](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Charro-Beans-360x360.jpg)
This Fiesta Salad is an ideal make-ahead side dish that is both nutritious and perfect for your next BBQ, picnic, potluck, or meal preparation.
![fiesta salad in a white bowl](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Fiesta-Salad-360x360.jpg)
![slow cooker salsa in a glass jar](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Crockpot-Salsa-360x360.jpg)
🍽Equipment
Equipment will vary, depending on the recipe. For the pork carnitas, you'll need a large frying pan. Some of these recipes require slow cooking (including the carnitas) so you'll need a slow cooker and some require a food processor (affiliate links).
🌡️Storage
Storage recommendations will be listed in the individual recipes.
👪 Serving Size
The servings will be listed for each recipe. However, most recipes have adjustable serving sizes. You can half, double, or triple the recipe by clicking on the blue serving number and selecting the number of servings you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust.
![tray of pineapple carnitas](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Pineapple-Carnitas-recipe.jpg)
🦺Food safety
- Cook shredded pork for carnitas to an internal minimum temperature of 195 degrees F - 204 degrees F (90-95 degrees C). You can shred the pork at 195 degrees F.
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
- Never leave cooking food unattended
See more guidelines at USDA.gov and https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/general-food-safety-tips/safe-internal-cooking-temperatures.html
So if you're looking for Mexican cuisine or tasty sides to accompany your delicious meal of carnitas, you'll love these recipes!
![pork pineapple carnita wrapped in foil](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Pork-Pineapple-Carnitas.jpg)
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