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    Recipes » Main Course Recipes » Mexican Main Courses

    Easy Pork Carnitas Tostadas

    Published: Jan 15, 2020 by Marissa Stevens · 38 Comments

    Gluten Free

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
    Pork carnitas tostada served on a marble slab

    Pork Carnitas Tostadas are yet another way to enjoy slow cooker pork carnitas. When I'm not making Pork Carnitas Tacos with carnitas, it's likely that we're having these tostadas instead.

    Pork Carnitas Tostada on a marble slab

    The trick to assembling a perfect tostada is to stack the crispy tortilla with just enough toppings so that you can lift it to your mouth and take a bite without everything toppling off.

    I'm terrible at it.

    I'm the same at a salad bar, building a mountain of lettuce, cucumbers, cauliflower, tomatoes, carrots, green peas, corn, mushrooms, pickled beets and croutons that no mere mortal could balance all the way back to the table without a rolling rogue tomato or two. So when you assemble these, try to be realistic. Or don't.

    When I decided to bake the corn tortillas instead of frying them, I wasn't sure if they'd be crispy enough. They were. These Tostada Shells are made with a method that might surprise you. They are perfectly flat and you'd never guess that they're baked not fried.

    stack of tostada shells

    If you happen to have leftover slow cooker pork carnitas in your refrigerator and a little tub of homemade refried beans (like we've had this week), you can whip these Pork Carnitas Tostadas up in about 15 minutes for lunch or dinner, serve alongside my Rice Cooker Mexican Rice or Mexican Cauliflower Rice for a light and hearty meal. Or even for breakfast - you could top them with an egg! (If you've been reading this blog for awhile, you already know that I want to top everything with an egg.) And for more leftover carnitas inspiration, check out my Pulled Pork Quesadillas and Pulled Pork Nachos!

    Recipe Video

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    Pork Carnitas Tostada on a marble slab

    Easy Carnitas Tostadas

    Marissa Stevens
    I've written this recipe for 4 people, but you can easily multiply the ingredients to make as many tostadas as you'd like.
    5 from 6 votes
    Save Recipe Saved! Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 489 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 8 tostada shells
    • 2 cups refried beans from a can or homemade
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil or more
    • 2 cups slow cooker pork carnitas or other pulled pork
    • ¼ cup leftover cooking liquid from carnitas or stock optional

    Suggested toppings:

    • shredded jack cheese
    • slices avocado
    • thinly shredded green cabbage
    • cherry tomatoes halved
    • sour cream
    • chopped fresh cilantro

    Instructions
     

    For the Carnitas

    • Start by making Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas.
    • If carnitas has been refrigerated, warm it by adding olive oil to a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add cold carnitas, cook and stir until it has warmed through and edges have crisp. Add cooking liquid or stock to moisten as desired.

    For the Tostada Shells

    • Make homemade Tostada Shells or use your favorite store bought shells.

    For the Refried Beans

    • Make Homemade refried beans or your favorite canned refried beans.
    • Heat refried beans in a small saucepan over low heat, adding water or stock if beans are dry.

    How to Assemble Carnitas Tostadas

    • To assemble tostadas, spread each tostada shell with ¼ cup refried beans and top with ¼ cup carnitas. Layer with desired toppings and serve.

    Notes

    1. Important note on timing! I like to prepare the carnitas, refried beans and tostada shells a day in advance of serving these so that prep and cooking come together easily. When calculating how much time you'll beed, be sure to read through the whole recipe and decide ahead of time if you'll make your own tostada shells and refried beans. Note that you'll want to make the carnitas a day in advance or at least very early the morning you plan to serve these tostadas.
    2. Nutrition information is for 2 tostadas per person and does not include toppings.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 489kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 22gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 51mgSodium: 1642mgPotassium: 106mgFiber: 7gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 277IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 124mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword Cinco de Mayo, crispy, dinner party, father's day, gluten free, party food, slow cooker
    Tried this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @pinchandswirl or leave me a comment and rating below.

    More Mexican Main Courses

    • Birria Ramen
    • Slow Cooker Birria de Res
    • Shrimp Tacos
    • Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Valentina says

      January 20, 2020 at 7:15 pm

      Marissa, I had a similar tostada just tonight. We ordered in from our local Mexican restaurant. Yours looks much better! Good thing I didn't see it first or I would have been bummed when mine arrived. I love your method of baking the tortillas, too. 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        January 21, 2020 at 1:53 pm

        Next time! 🙂 Thanks so much, Valentina!

        Reply
    2. Kevin says

      January 20, 2020 at 11:23 am

      5 stars
      Pork carnita tostadas or tacos, doesn't matter each one is sure to be a winner! Drooling over those photos, seems like I'm due for some pork carnitas!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        January 21, 2020 at 1:52 pm

        I think you are! 😉 Thanks, Kevin!

        Reply
    3. Kelly | Foodtasia says

      January 19, 2020 at 7:06 am

      5 stars
      Marissa, I always pile my tostadas way to high! These look fabulous and I love your homemade tostada shells!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        January 20, 2020 at 11:10 am

        Thank you, Kelly! I'm glad you're enjoying the tostada shells recipe - I'd never go back to buying them at the grocery store!

        Reply
    4. Leanne says

      January 18, 2020 at 1:00 pm

      5 stars
      Both my hubby and I would love these! They're great for meal prep, for game day parties or just a random Friday night! I'll be checking out the other recipes you linked to!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        January 20, 2020 at 11:10 am

        Thank you, Leanne! All great ideas!

        Reply
    5. Matt - Total Feasts says

      January 16, 2020 at 1:58 pm

      5 stars
      These carnitas tostadas look great, but I'm with you. I don't think I'd be 'realistic' when applying toppings. It just looks too good!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        January 20, 2020 at 11:10 am

        haha...Thank you, Matt! 🙂

        Reply
    6. David @ Spiced says

      January 16, 2020 at 4:26 am

      5 stars
      Haha! I'm the same way when I go to a salad bar. I end up balancing everything in a precarious way...but I can't resist all the good stuff! I'm the same way with tostadas. There are just many good things that need to go on top. 🙂 This version looks insanely good, and I'm totally on board with making a batch of these soon!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        January 20, 2020 at 11:11 am

        Love to hear that, David! Thank you!

        Reply
    7. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

      January 16, 2020 at 4:21 am

      5 stars
      This would be one dinner that would fly off the table at our house Marissa! They look totally delicious. I'm thinking they'd be great for the Super Bowl this year!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        January 20, 2020 at 11:11 am

        woohoo! I hope you'll give these a try, Mary Ann!

        Reply
    8. Stephanie says

      May 20, 2016 at 4:01 am

      I love the simplicity of your recipes! Thank you for sharing, you're making my life easier!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        May 20, 2016 at 11:20 am

        What a sweet comment! Thanks, Stephanie. 🙂

        Reply
    9. nagimaehashi says

      March 09, 2016 at 10:27 pm

      I was just googling for tostada ideas using carnitas....and LOOK at the post that came up! 🙂 Made me so happy! Thanks for the idea!!! N x

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        March 10, 2016 at 11:24 am

        haha, I love it Nagi! And re-reading this post I'm cracking up thinking of how you and I have the habit of overstuffing things. 😉

        Reply
    10. nagimaehashi says

      November 21, 2014 at 4:33 pm

      Marissa, I could have written this post! I did a whole series on using Pork Carnitas! And not only that, you reheat the carnitas the RIGHT way - on the stove, not under the broiler which dries them out and you just don't get the same crispy golden bits. YOU KNOW YOUR CARNITAS! Hip hip hurrah!

      Reply
    11. Sonali- The Foodie Physician says

      November 10, 2014 at 3:30 pm

      I saw these on IG and had to come over and check them out some more! They look amazing!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        November 10, 2014 at 3:33 pm

        Thanks so much, Sonali!

        Reply
    12. Christina | Simply Yum says

      November 10, 2014 at 10:06 am

      Ok I can almost taste these through your picture! It may be difficult to eat piled high but they look so beautiful that way. Your recent posts are inspiring me to make carnitas.

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        November 10, 2014 at 3:01 pm

        Thanks Christina! I think you should, it won't disappoint I promise!

        Reply
    13. Joanne says

      November 10, 2014 at 4:40 am

      These are a total mouthful...but in the best way!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        November 10, 2014 at 7:30 am

        Thanks, Joanne. xo

        Reply
    14. Annie+@+ciaochowbambina says

      November 09, 2014 at 9:23 pm

      Oh gosh...that first photo got me! These look delicious! Nice recipe!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        November 10, 2014 at 7:31 am

        Thanks, Annie!

        Reply
    15. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says

      November 08, 2014 at 11:49 pm

      Hehe topping just enough is definitely a talent. I'm so bad at that and I often put too much on them! 😛

      Reply
    16. Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says

      November 08, 2014 at 12:53 pm

      I love this idea and what is better than dinner in 15 minutes! I think I'd have trouble spilling all that when I took the first bite but that's what forks are made for, right?

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        November 08, 2014 at 1:27 pm

        Thanks, Maureen. And, you're right, maybe next time I should try a fork! 😉

        Reply
    17. Eileen says

      November 08, 2014 at 9:41 am

      I have to say, I don't think I've ever succeeded at eating a tostada by hand without everything going EVERYWHERE. Forks are officially our tostada-eating default now. 🙂 These sound delicious! You have to love the richness of carnitas.

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        November 08, 2014 at 10:28 am

        We need to switch to forks - no joke, the tostada pictured here 'had a great fall' when my husband took a bite. We got a good laugh out of it, but forks would certainly make for less mess. 🙂

        Reply
    18. hipfoodiemom says

      November 07, 2014 at 6:20 pm

      oh these tostadas look fabulous!!! I am the same way at the salad bar! I don't know why but I try to pile on as much as humanly possible. . I think it's because I'm too lazy and don't want to get up again 😛

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        November 07, 2014 at 7:30 pm

        I'm so glad I'm not alone! 😉 Some people seem to have so much restraint!

        Reply
    19. Norma says

      November 07, 2014 at 3:06 pm

      These carnitas look delicious! Wish I had some now...

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        November 07, 2014 at 3:07 pm

        Thanks, Norma!

        Reply
    20. Shashi at runninsrilankan says

      November 07, 2014 at 10:52 am

      I wish I was having this for lunch instead of a protein bar...

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        November 07, 2014 at 11:05 am

        Thanks, Shashi! I wish I could make them for you!

        Reply

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