epicurious
Tuna Carnitas
This crispy-but-tender fried tuna is reminiscent of its porky namesake—particularly when paired with rich refried beans and bright pickled onions.
👥 6 Servings⏱️ Prep & Cook: 3h👤 Fermín Núñez📖 epicurious
🥘 Ingredients
Check off ingredients as you prepare them:
🍳 Cookware
- ●dutch oven
- ●oven
- ●pot
- ●bowl
- ●skillet
- ●saucepan
- ●blender
- ●spatula
- ●baking sheet
📝 Preparation Steps
1
Toast 3 morita chiles, stems removed, in a medium Dutch oven over medium heat, turning occasionally, until fragrant, about ⏱️ 2 minutes. Add 1 medium tomato, halved, 1 medium yellow onion, halved, 10 garlic cloves, smashed, 1 lb. dried pinto beans, and 1 avocado leaf (if using); pour in water to cover by at least 2". Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer gently, adding water as needed to keep beans submerged, 1½ hours.
morita chiles, stems removed3medium tomato, halved1medium yellow onion, halved1. dried pinto beans1 lbavocado leaf (optional)1
2
Add 1 Tbsp. Diamond Crystal or 1¾ tsp. Morton kosher salt and continue to cook until beans are tender, 45–⏱️ 60 minutes. Remove avocado leaf; discard. Drain beans through a mesh sieve set over a medium bowl; set bean cooking liquid aside. Return beans and solids to pot.
avocado leaf (optional)1
3
Meanwhile, cook 8 oz. bacon, coarsely chopped, in a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until browned and very crisp, about ⏱️ 20 minutes. Transfer bacon to a small bowl with a slotted spoon, leaving fat behind. Set skillet with fat aside.
. bacon, coarsely chopped8 oz
4
Place 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced, in a small heatproof bowl. Bring 1 Tbsp. sugar, 1 cup distilled white vinegar, 2 tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1 tsp. Morton kosher salt, and ½ cup water to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium, then pour over red onion and set aside to pickle.
medium red onion, thinly sliced1. sugar1 Tbsp
5
Add bacon, 1 tsp. dried oregano, 1 tsp. garlic powder, 1 tsp. ground coriander, 1 tsp. smoked paprika, 2 cups reserved bean cooking liquid, and remaining 3 Tbsp. distilled white vinegar to pot with bean mixture. Using an immersion blender, blend until smooth. Season bean mixture with more salt if needed. (Alternatively, you can blend in batches in a regular blender.)
. dried oregano1 tsp. garlic powder1 tsp. ground coriander1 tsp. smoked paprika1 tsp
6
Pour 1 cup vegetable oil into another medium Dutch oven or heavy pot (it should come about ½" up sides); fit with thermometer and heat over medium-high. Add bean mixture and cook, stirring and scraping bottom and sides of pot with a heatproof rubber spatula, until homogeneous and emulsified, about ⏱️ 3 minutes. Remove from heat; cover with plastic wrap, pressing directly onto surface (this will prevent a skin from forming).
7
Season 1 lb. tuna steaks, patted dry, cut into 1" pieces, with salt, then place in a medium bowl. Add ¼ cup (45 g) rice flour or cornstarch; toss to coat. Pour fresh oil into reserved skillet with fat to come 1" up sides. Fit with thermometer and heat until thermometer registers about 400°. Working in batches, cook tuna, tossing constantly, until lightly crisped on the outside but still a little pink in the center, about ⏱️ 30 seconds per batch. Transfer to a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet; season with salt.
. tuna steaks, patted dry, cut into 1" pieces1 lb
8
Scoop beans onto plates and smooth into an even layer; top with tuna, drained pickled onion, and microgreens or cilantro. Serve with warmed tortillas and lime wedges.
Microgreens or cilantro, warmed tortillas, and lime wedges (for serving)
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