When comparing al pastor and carnitas in terms of fat content, you have to consider the ingredients and cooking methods, both are Mexican meats but prepared differently.
Al Pastor and Carnitas Overview
Al Pastor is a dish that comes from the Lebanese influence in Mexico, the way of cooking the meat on a vertical spit (like shawarma). It uses pork shoulder marinated in a mix of spices, achiote gives it a red color, pineapple and other seasonings. The meat is then sliced thin and served in tacos with onions, cilantro and salsa.
Carnitas means “little meats” and is made by slow cooking pork, usually from the shoulder or butt, in its own fat. The cooking method is braising or simmering the pork in lard until tender, then it’s shredded and sometimes crisped up for texture.
Fat Content Comparison
Al Pastor
- Type of Meat: Al pastor is made from pork shoulder which has some fat, intramuscular fat also known as marbling. This type of fat helps keep the meat moist and flavorful during cooking.
- Marinade Ingredients: The marinade used in al pastor may have some fat content but it’s minimal compared to the fat from the meat itself.
- Cooking Method: The cooking process for al pastor is grilling or roasting the marinated meat on a vertical spit. This method allows some fat to drip off during cooking which can reduce the overall fat content compared to braising.
- Estimated Fat Content: On average cooked al pastor has 15-25 grams of fat per 100 grams, depending on the cut of meat and cooking method. Most of this fat is saturated but there will be some monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
Carnitas
- Type of Meat: Carnitas are also made from pork shoulder or butt but the cooking method is to render the fat. Pork shoulder has a lot of fat that’s used in the cooking process.
- Cooking Method: Carnitas are cooked in lard or their own rendered fat over low heat for several hours. This method makes the meat super tender and results to higher fat retention in the final product.
- Fat Rendering: During the cooking process a lot of the fat from the pork is rendered down, so the final dish can be quite rich and fatty.
- Fat Content: Cooked carnitas has 25-35 grams of fat per 100 grams. Fat content can be higher depending on the cut of meat and how much fat is retained after cooking. Like al pastor, carnitas will have mostly saturated fat but some monounsaturated fats.
Nutritional Perspective
Saturated Fat
Both al pastor and carnitas have saturated fat, which is bad in excess. But in moderation the fats in pork can be part of a balanced diet especially if you’re active and need more energy.
Monounsaturated and Polyunsaturated Fats
Pork also has monounsaturated fats which are the good fats. These help in lowering cholesterol and has anti-inflammatory benefits. Both dishes are made from pork so they will have these good fats too.
Conclusion
In short, both al pastor and carnitas are delicious and have different flavor profiles, carnitas has more fat because of the cooking method that allows fat to render and be retained. Al pastor is still fatty because of the pork shoulder but generally has less fat because the grilling method allows excess fat to drip away.When choosing between the two, consider not only the fat content but also your personal preference for flavor and cooking style. Both can be part of a balanced diet especially when paired with fresh veggies, salsas and other nutritious ingredients. For more tips on enjoying these tasty meats healthily, check out RenewalWay.