Slow Cooker Carnitas {Crispy Mexican Pork}
1 Comment Apr 12, 2024
Updated Jul 28, 2024
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When you’re looking for a dish that yields plenty of fall-apart tender meat, Slow Cooker Carnitas is the perfect meal to try. The flavors of this easy carnitas recipe are basic, yet powerful, leaving the whole family wanting more!
Enjoy Mexican cooking? Give my Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Beef recipe a try. It’s another one that will feed a large family or potluck crowd.
Table of Contents
What are carnitas?
In short, carnitas literally means “little meats.” It’s a Mexican cuisine that is known for simmering pork until a tender and juicy perfection. Carnitas can be considered a type of Mexican pulled pork. With there being a variety of pork cuts to choose from, pork carnitas typically use the pork butt (Boston), also known as the pork shoulder or picnic cut. These cuts typically have the highest fat content, leading to a more tender meat when cooked.
The combination of seasonings used creates flavors congruent with traditional Mexican spices making these crockpot carnitas an amazing recipe option for your next taco night.
Recipe Ingredients
- Picnic Pork Roast: This cut is another name for the pork shoulder, which is considered a primal cut that comes from above the pig’s forelegs. Do not use pork loin or pork tenderloin, it will dry out. The best carnitas recipes use butt or pork shoulder.
- Orange Juice and Lime Juice: The orange juice isn’t overpowering. Instead, it simply brightens the flavor with the perfect amount of acidity (and sweetness).
- Olive Oil: This type of oil not only provides a flavor of its own, it will also help the dry rub of seasonings stick to the pork shoulder.
- Garlic, Onion, and Green Chiles: This recipe calls for a trio that works together in the background from the beginning to help build a flavor-packed and juicy pulled pork.
- Spices: Chili powder and cumin add a combination of smokiness and warmth. Oregano brings in an earthly note and herby flavor. Salt and pepper to taste always make a meal better.
- Cilantro: Some is used during the slow cooking process, and the remainder is used as a fresh garnish.
- {The full recipe is in the recipe card below the photos}
Variations
Pineapple juice can be added for sweetness.
Sliced jalapenos are a great addition if you want your carnitas meat spicy.
If you want to make chicken carnitas, use boneless skinless chicken thighs.
Step by Step Directions
Step One – On a rinsed, patted dried, and drizzled with olive oil pork shoulder, rub on the spice mixture.
Step Two – Place the seasoned pork shoulder into the slow cooker.
Step Three – Add the diced onion, minced garlic, green chilies, fresh cilantro, orange juice and lime juice
Step Four – Slow cook the pork loin roast on LOW for 10 hours or on HIGH for 7 hours.
Step Five – Remove the pork shoulder from the crock pot (save the slow cooker juices for dipping) and place it into a bowl. Begin shredding with two forks.
Step Six – Continue shredding the pork should until your preference.
Step Seven – Place the shredded pork shoulder on a roasting pan and spread evenly.
Step Eight – Broil for about 3 minutes. Mix and broil for another three minutes. Serve the slow cooker pork carnitas on tortillas and enjoy!
How to serve
- One of the most classic ways to serve carnitas is in flour tortillas or corn tortillas, also known as pork carnitas tacos. Place a spoonful or so into the tortilla, and then add some of the topping suggestions below.
- Topping suggestions for tender carnitas: adobo sauce, shredded cheese, queso fresco, chopped onion, chopped tomatoes, sliced avocado, sour cream, pickled onions and pico de gallo. You can also add chopped cilantro and shredded red cabbage.
- If you’re looking for ideas of what to serve on the side of your pork carnitas recipe try: street corn salad, slow cooker black beans, Mexican pasta, authentic Mexican rice, and/or Mexican cornbread.
- This shredded meat can also be used for the best pork carnitas burrito bowls and taco salad topping.
Recipe FAQs
Only if cooked for many many hours over the cooking time. I think pork only gets better with time.
If you just so happen to have leftovers, store them in an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze carnitas. Store leftovers in an airtight freezer-safe containers or resealable freezer bags. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing to minimize freezer burn.
Leftovers can be reheated in the oven (on a baking sheet or roasting pan) at 350 degrees. You can also reheat them on the stovetop using an appropriately sized skillet (add some of the leftover juice, so it doesn’t burn).
More Slow Cooker Pork Recipes:
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Slow Cooker Carnitas Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 lbs. picnic pork roast
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. black Pepper
- 1 Tbsp. cumin
- 1 Tbsp. chili powder
- 1/2 Tbsp. dried oregano
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 oz. can fire-roasted green chiles, Drained
- 3 Tbsp. fresh chopped cilantro
- ½ cup orange juice
- 1 lime, juiced
Instructions
- Rinse and pat dry the pork roast with paper towels. In a small bowl mix together the salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder and oregano. Drizzle the pork roast with the olive oil and rub on the spice mixture.
- In the slow cooker pot, add the pork roast, diced onion, minced garlic, green chilies, fresh cilantro, orange juice and lime juice.
- Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 7 hours. When done, remove from the slow cooker pot, reserving the cooking liquid and shred with forks and place on a baking sheet.
- Turn the oven broiler to high and crisp the shredded pork for about 3 minutes, mix and broil again.
- Serve hot with the reserved cooking liquid for dipping.
How to Video
Sarah’s Notes
- Toppings for tacos, shredded lettuce, avocado, tomato, pico de gallo, jalapeno, diced onion, cilantro, sour cream, shredded red cabbage. Perfect for burritos or quesadillas as well.
- Refrigerate for up to 3 days in in an airtight container or 3 months in a freezer safe container.
- Pineapple juice can be added for sweetness.
- Sliced jalapenos are a great addition if you want your carnitas meat spicy.
- If you want to make chicken carnitas, use boneless skinless chicken thighs.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Looks good &I will try