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Delicious Carne Frita (Fried Pork Chunks) served with a side of garlic sauce on a white platter.
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4.43 from 38 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 Time30 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: Puerto Rican
Servings: 4
Calories: 511kcal
Author: Catherine Arena

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds pork shoulder or pork butt rinsed and cut into 1 ½ inch chunks
  • 1 packet (envelope) Sazon with Annatto I use Goya Brand
  • 1 teaspoon Adobo Seasoning (I use Goya Brand)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 4-6 garlic cloves peeled
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • ⅓ cup vinegar
  • vegetable or canola oil for frying

Garlic Dipping Sauce

  • 2 garlic cloves peeled
  • ¼ cup olive oil

Instructions

Cut and Season Pork

  • Add garlic cloves, oregano and 3 tablespoons of oil to a blender. Blend until mixture forms a paste and is smooth.  Set aside.
  • Rinse pork and cut up pork into 1 ½ inch chunks.  (Keep the fat on pork as this makes the pork tastier and juicer).

  • Season pork chunks with adobo, sazon, garlic and oregano puree and vinegar. 
    Mix pieces with your hands or a spoon.
    Marinate covered for 30 minutes in the refrigerator or overnight (especially if using pork shoulder).

Cooking Pork

  • Heat a large pan over medium high heat with about 2 inches of oil. 
    Wait until oil is hot, about 5 minutes.
    *This dish is even better fried in lard. If you can find lard in your market, use instead of oil.
  • Carefully add a few pork pieces at a time to the pan being careful not to drop pieces in oil and causing oil to splatter.
  • Cook the pork chunks on one side for 5-7 minutes and then flip over with a fork.
    Cook again for another 5-7 minutes.
  • Note:  If serving with the garlic dipping sauce, prepare sauce while pieces are cooking.  Add 2 garlic cloves to a blender with ¼ cup oil and blend until smooth.  Set aside.
  • Continue cooking on all sides until all sides are beautifully golden brown.
    Drain pieces on paper towels to remove excess oil.
    Serve with Garlic Dipping Sauce and toothpicks if serving as an appetizer.

Nutrition

Serving: 4g | Calories: 511kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 52g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 136mg | Sodium: 124mg | Potassium: 878mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 1.4mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 2.1mg