Description
This Easy Crockpot Carnitas recipe is a delicious and convenient way to enjoy tender, flavorful shredded pork. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you can let your slow cooker do all the work while you go about your day. Perfect for tacos, burritos, or salads, these carnitas are sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Pork Carnitas:
- 3 pounds pork shoulder, trimmed and cut into large chunks
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, quartered
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 orange, juiced (reserve the spent halves)
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Brown the Pork: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the pork chunks on all sides, about 3–4 minutes per side.
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Transfer the pork to a slow cooker. Add onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker. Pour in the orange juice, lime juice, chicken broth, and add the orange halves.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 8–9 hours or on high for 4–5 hours until the pork is tender and easily shredded.
- Shred the Pork: Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred with two forks.
- Crisp the Edges: For crispy edges, spread shredded pork on a baking sheet and broil for 3–5 minutes until edges are browned and crispy.
- Serve: Serve in tortillas with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Leftover carnitas are great for tacos, burritos, or salads.
- You can add a splash of cola or beer for a different flavor twist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 ounces
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
