Carnitas Mini Waffle Sliders Recipe

Season and braise

Pat pork chunks dry and season with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, cumin and oregano. Place pork in a medium Dutch oven or heavy pot. Add quartered onion, smashed garlic, bay leaves, orange juice and reserved orange halves, lime juice, and 1 cup water. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.

Braise low and slow

Once simmering, reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer gently for 2 to 2.25 hours until the pork is very tender and shreds easily with a fork. Check after 90 minutes and add a few tablespoons of water if the pot looks dry.

Shred and crisp

Remove pork to a cutting board and shred with two forks, discarding bay leaves and large onion pieces. Reserve 1/4 cup of the braising liquid. Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shredded pork in a single layer, letting it brown and crisp for 3–4 minutes without stirring, then toss and crisp additional 2–3 minutes. If pork is dry, sprinkle with reserved braising liquid to keep moist while crisping. Adjust salt to taste (use remaining 1/2 tsp salt if needed).

In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, chopped chipotle, 1 tsp adobo sauce, 1/2 tsp lime juice, 1/2 tsp honey, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper until smooth. Taste and adjust heat by adding more adobo/chipotle if desired. Cover and refrigerate until ready to assemble.

Toast waffles

If using frozen mini waffles, toast until hot and slightly crisp according to package directions (about 3–5 minutes). If using batter, cook mini Belgian waffles until golden and crisp. Keep waffles warm in a low oven (200°F / 95°C) while finishing other components.

Build sliders

Place 4 bottom waffles on your work surface. Spread about 1/2 tsp chipotle aioli on each bottom waffle. Top each with 2–3 tbsp of shredded carnitas (heaping as desired) and sprinkle about 2 tbsp shredded cheddar over the warm pork so it softens. Add a small pinch of chopped cilantro and a few rings of pickled red onion if using. Spread 1/2 tsp aioli on the inside of remaining 4 waffles and place them on top to form 4 mini sliders.

Finish and serve

If you want the cheese more melted and the slider warmed through, place assembled sliders on a baking sheet and put under a broiler or in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 3–4 minutes until cheese is melty and tops are warmed (watch closely). Serve immediately with lime wedges alongside.