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Carne frita served in a white platter with a side of garlic dipping sauce.
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4.47 from 41 votes

Carne Frita (Fried Pork Chunks)

Carne Frita (Fried Pork Chunks) are delicious pork chunks that are seasoned and marinated in Puerto Rican spices and then fried to golden perfection. Served with a delicious garlic sauce. Carne Frita can be served in several dishes for complete meals or as an appetizer.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Marinating Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 30 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: Puerto Rican
Servings: 4
Calories: 823kcal
Author: Catherine Arena

Ingredients

  • 3½ lb pork shoulder or pork butt rinsed and cut into 1 ½ inch chunks
  • 2 packets sazon with annatto
  • 2 teaspoon adobo
  • 2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 10 teaspoon garlic puree
  • 5½ tablespoon vegetable oil
  • ½ cup vinegar
  • vegetable or canola oil for frying
  • 1 lime (optional) cut into wedges

Garlic Dipping Sauce

  • 2 garlic cloves peeled
  • ¼ cup olive oil

Instructions

Cut and Season Pork

  • Rinse the pork and cut it into 1 ½ inch chunks, keeping the fat on for a tastier and juicier result.
  • Add the pork chunks to a mixing bowl and season it with the adobo, sazon, garlic puree, oregano, oil and vinegar. 
    Mix the pieces well and allow to marinate for one hour or overnight in the refrigerator.

Cooking Pork

  • Heat a large pan over medium-high heat with about 2 inches of oil. Allow the oil to heat. Once heated through, add a few pieces of pork at a time to fry. Cook the pork chunks on one side for about 5-7 minutes and then carefully flip each piece over. Cook for another 5-7 minutes.
    Drain pieces on paper towels to remove excess oil. Serve the carne frita with the garlic dipping sauce and a few lime wedges.

Garlic Dipping Sauce

  • While the pork is frying, add the garlic and oil to a blender and blend until smooth.

Notes

Recipe Notes:
Garlic Puree: If you do not have garlic puree, add ten garlic cloves, with three tablespoons of oil to a blender. Blend until a paste forms.  
Frying: For a richer, more flavorful taste, fry the pork chunks in lard if you can find it at your local market.

Nutrition

Serving: 4 | Calories: 823kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 91g | Fat: 46g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g | Monounsaturated Fat: 20g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 238mg | Sodium: 264mg | Potassium: 1.588mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 18IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 4mg