Ham Carnitas with Whiskey Glaze
- T Millan
- Sep 1, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 5, 2025
Carnitas are all about flavor, family, and sharing a meal together—and this ham version adds a unique twist. Simmered until tender, shredded, then baked until crispy with a sweet and smoky whiskey glaze, these Ham Carnitas bring bold flavor to the table. For Día de los Muertos, they’re a way to honor loved ones with a dish that feels both traditional and new—bridging memory, heritage, and celebration.
Ingredients for Ham Carnitas
1 20lb bone-in ham
1 gallon of white vinegar (you won’t use it all)
Ingredients for Whiskey Glaze
6 cloves of garlic, peeled and grated
1 T. canola oil
1/2 c. water
1 c. pineapple juice
3/4 c. brown sugar
3/4 c. teriyaki sauce
3/4 c. whiskey
1/4–1/2 t. cayenne pepper
4 t. cornstarch mixed with 4 teaspoons of water
Instructions for Ham Carnitas & Whiskey Glaze
Place the ham in a deep pot large enough to hold the ham completely. Add 2 cups of water to the pot and then 1 cup of vinegar. Repeat alternating between the water and vinegar until the ham is covered.
Bring to a boil and then turn down to a hard simmer for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until the ham is falling off the bone.
Remove the ham to a board to cool, then shred into bite sized pieces.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
While the ham is cooking you can make the whiskey glaze. Add the oil to a medium pot over low heat.
Add the grated garlic and stir for 30 seconds, then add the rest of the glaze ingredients except the cornstarch mixture. Bring the glaze to a boil and then whisk in the cornstarch mixture.
Bring back to a boil and the tun the heat down to a simmer for 20 minutes. You should end up with about 2 1/2 cups of the glaze after it reduces.
Put the shredded ham into a large bowl and toss with the whiskey glaze.
Place onto 2 baking sheets and bake for 30 minutes until slightly caramelized and crispy.
✨ Tradition Tip: In many Mexican homes, carnitas are prepared in large batches to share. Serve these ham carnitas on homemade tortillas with salsa and pickled onions—perfect for setting on the ofrenda table or sharing at a family gathering.
Celebrate Día de los Muertos 2025 in McKinney
Don’t miss Día de los Muertos 2025 in Historic Downtown McKinney
Saturday, October 11, 2025
