Mexican Carnitas Lettuce Wraps
Tender, citrus-scented pork gets crisp-edged in the pot, then tucks into cool lettuce with sweet grated carrot.
Fits Celiac, Hashimoto's, Pregnancy and 8 more diets
Plan your dinnersGluten checks every recipe for everyone at your table. Free.
Ingredients
- 900 g boneless pork shoulder, cut into large pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp orange zest
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 1 tsp lime zest
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup water
- 12 romaine lettuce, large leaves, washed and dried
- 2 carrot, finely grated
Method
- Brown pork in olive oil in a heavy pot on all sides.
- Stir in zest, juice, cumin, oregano, garlic and water.
- Cover and simmer gently until fork-tender, turning once.90 min timer
- Set aside the kids' share; shred pork and simmer uncovered until glossy.10 min timerKids’ plate comes out here
- Shred the kids' pork finely; fill lettuce leaves with pork and grated carrot.
Kids’ plate: Carnitas lettuce wraps
On the plate: Finely shredded pork in soft lettuce leaves with grated carrot.
Make it a game: Make a little lettuce boat for the pork and carrot. Add the pieces in any order you like.
Set it aside at step 4, before the grown-ups’ sauce or spice goes on.
Why it works
- Hashimoto's thyroiditis: Pork, lettuce, carrot and citrus bring the flavour; no soy or seaweed.
- Gluten-free: Pork, vegetables, citrus and herbs; no grains, sauces or stock.
- Kid (4–12): Mild citrus-herb pork, soft lettuce and finely grated carrot.
- Toddler (1–3): Tender shredded pork, soft lettuce and finely grated carrot, served in small pieces.
Celiac check: watch for hidden gluten in soy sauce, stock, malt vinegar and seasoning blends, and oats that aren’t certified. Gluten gives food ideas, not medical advice: always check labels for allergens and cross-contact.
Cooking for more than one diet?
Add everyone you cook for, with their allergies, diets and ages. Gluten checks this recipe for each of them and tells you what to change for anyone who can’t eat it as written. It’s free to start.
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This recipe also fits: Hashimoto's recipes, Pregnancy recipes, Toddlers recipes, Dairy-free recipes, High blood pressure recipes, Heart health recipes, Gluten-free recipes, Crohn’s and colitis recipes, High cholesterol recipes, Paleo recipes, Kid-friendly recipes, One pan recipes, Gluten-free dairy-free recipes, Gluten-free Mexican recipes.