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Get ready for a delicious banana peel recipe. These banana peel carnitas are seasoned with herbs, spices, and citrus for a bold, savory flavor. They’re simple to make and work perfectly in tacos, burrito bowls, or taco salads. This recipe will change the way you think about banana peels.
Can you eat banana peels?
Yes. Banana peels are edible and can be prepared in many tasty ways. I developed this recipe during an Earth Day challenge and, despite initial skepticism, I was impressed by the results. Using banana peels keeps food waste down and helps make the most of an often-discarded part of the fruit.
It doesn’t taste like banana
Cooked banana peels don’t taste like the fruit. Raw they’re slightly bitter and tough, but when cooked they become tender with a pleasant, slightly chewy texture that can resemble shredded meat. Many cultures around the world have long used banana peels in dishes ranging from chutneys and curries to a Brazilian preparation called casca louca de banana.
Once you try them, you may regret tossing peels in the past—peels are edible, nutritious, and save money when used instead of being thrown away. If you’re not ready to eat them, there are other practical uses for banana peels described below.
Why you should eat banana peels
- Reduce food waste: Keep usable produce out of the landfill.
- Nutritious: Peels add fiber, potassium, and vitamins.
- Versatile: Use in sweet and savory dishes.
- Good texture: Cooked peels can be pleasantly meaty.
- Budget-friendly: A low-cost meat substitute.
Banana peel nutrition
Banana peels are nutrient-dense, offering extra fiber, potassium, vitamin C, magnesium, and small amounts of other vitamins and minerals. They also contain tryptophan, an amino acid that can support mood. Because bananas are commonly treated with pesticides, wash peels thoroughly with mild soap and water before using, or use organic bananas and wash those as well.
Raw peels are tough and a bit bitter due to natural latex inside the skin, so cooking softens them and reduces bitterness. If you have a latex allergy, avoid banana peels.
How do you prepare a banana peel?
Preparation is straightforward. Remove the stem and bottom end, then use a spoon to scrape out the inner fibrous flesh. For this carnitas recipe, shred the peel with a fork into long strips. If you’ll be blending peels into smoothies or banana bread, you can use the whole peeled banana (trim the hard ends) and blend immediately.
What else can you do with banana peels?
Banana peels have many uses beyond this recipe. Here are some options to try.
- Add to a smoothie: Blend small amounts of peel into smoothies for extra fiber.
- Add to banana bread: Blend the whole ripe banana (trim hard ends) into your batter.
- Fertilize plants: Mince peels and bury them in garden soil or soak peels overnight to make nutrient-rich banana peel water for plants.
- Topical uses: Rub the inner peel on skin to ease itching, reduce scars, or treat acne.
- Teeth whitening: Some people rub the inner peel on their teeth regularly.
- Candied peel: Cook peels with sugar to make candied banana peel treats.
- Add to homemade granola: Small pieces of prepared peel can be included for added texture and nutrition.
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Notes on this banana peel recipe
Choose yellow bananas with a little green at the tips—avoid fully green or overly ripe fruit. For this recipe you’ll need the peels from about 4–6 bananas. Save the banana flesh for smoothies or baking, or freeze it for later use; it will oxidize and darken quickly if not used immediately. Prepared peels can be stored in the refrigerator for roughly 24 hours before they become difficult to shred.
Banana Peel Carnitas
Ingredients
- 6 banana peels
- 2 tbsp grapeseed oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded & minced
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup orange juice (from 1 fresh orange)
- 1–2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tbsp soy sauce or liquid aminos
Instructions
- Remove both ends—the stem and the bottom—from each banana.
- Use a spoon to scoop out the fibrous inner flesh from each peel.
- Use a fork to shred the peel into long strips.
- Warm a large pot over medium heat and add the oil. Once warm, sauté the onion, garlic, and jalapeño until the onion softens.
- Add the shredded banana peels, then stir in oregano, cumin, sea salt, and black pepper.
- Squeeze the orange into the pot (catch any seeds) and add the soy sauce, then stir to combine.
- Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, cover, and cook about 30 minutes or until the peels are tender and flavorful. Taste and adjust seasoning with more soy sauce or salt if desired.
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