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    Home » Main Dish » Slow Cooker Carnitas

    Slow Cooker Carnitas

    Published: May 21, 2021 · Modified: May 20, 2021 by Jennie · This post may contain affiliate links

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    These are the best Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas you will ever make! Cooked low and slow they are full of flavor and will make an amazing dinner! You and your family will love this recipe!

    Slow Cooker Carnitas on tray complete on soft tortillas

    Pork Carnitas are a great and easy to make Mexican inspired dish. It is a classic dish that is full of amazing flavor like citrus, chilis, and garlic.

    This will fall apart so easy, and will literally melt in your mouth. Taco Tuesday, burrito brunch, or nacho night will be amazing if you use this Carnitas recipe! 

    How to make Slow Cooker Carnitas:

    You know I love my slow cooker. I will use it many times a week. I actually own a couple slow cookers as I use them so much! To make the perfect Pork Carnitas you want your meat to cook long and slow.

    They say low and slow makes a very tender meat, and that is exactly right with this recipe.

    You are going to want to cook these longer than most slow cooker recipes, because you really want the pork to be fall off the bone tender and to simmer in the juices to absorb all the flavors.

    Be sure to check out my other Slow Cooker Pork recipes like Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sliders and BBQ Ranch Pulled Pork.

    Ingredients:

    • Pork Shoulder or Pork Butt: You can do bone in our our it's up to you.
    • Cumin
    • Oregano
    • Salt
    • Pepper
    • Smoked Paprika
    • Garlic Cloves: Mince fresh garlic or buy it at the store minced.
    • Diced Green Chilis
    • Onions: A white onion works perfectly for this recipe.
    • Juice from 2 oranges
    • Juice from 2 Limes

    ingredients for pork carnitas on counter

    Directions:

    Step One - Start by making a rub for your pork. In a small mixing bowl mix cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, together. Then rub the seasonings over all sides of the pork.

    making the rub and rubbing it on the pork

    Step Two - Place the pork in the slow cooker. Making sure that the fat side of the pork is facing up.

    Step Three - Over the top of the pork spread on your minced garlic, green chilis, and onions. Add the juice from the oranges and limes.

    pork in the slow cooker and adding the remaining ingredients to the slow cooker

    Step Four - Cover and cook on low 10 hours.

    • Tip: This needs a longer cooking time than your usual slow cooker recipe. Cook it low and slow for maximum flavor and tenderness.

    pork carnitas in the slow cooker

    Step Five - Remove the meat from the slow cooker and with two forks pulling away from each other shred your cooked pork.

    Step Six - Once shredded place your pork back into the slow cooker and let it cook on low for 30 minutes.

    • Tip: If there seems to be a lot of juices, you can remove some of it first. You still want some juices though for the meat to simmer in.

    pork carnitas shredded in the slow cooker

    Step Seven - After simmering the meat, using tongs, transfer the meat to a large rimmed sheet pan.

    Make sure the pan is large enough that the meat is not crowed but has room to spread out.

    Step Eight - Place it under the broiler for 1-3 minutes. This cooks quickly so make sure to watch it closely.

    You want some of the meat to brown up and become crispy, but not all of it.

    pork carnitas on a baking sheet about to be broiled

    Step Nine - Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy. 

    I hope you enjoy this recipe! Get your slow cooker and make this super tasty meal everyone will enjoy!

    If you tried any of my recipes I would love to hear from you, leave me a comment below. You can also connect with me on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST. I would love for you to follow along and discover more amazing recipes.

    Show me what you are making, use hashtag #TDOARH


    Slow Cooker Carnitas

    Slow Cooker Carnitas

    Jennie Duncan
    These are the best Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas you will ever make! Cooked low and slow they are full of flavor and will make an amazing dinner! You and your family will love this recipe!
     
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 10 hrs 30 mins
    broiler time 3 mins
    Total Time 10 hrs 43 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, Mexican
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 276 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 5 pounds pork shoulder (anywhere from 3.5 -5 pounds works)
    • 2 teaspoons cumin
    • 2 teaspoons oregano
    • 2 teaspoons salt
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
    • 1.4 ounce can diced green chilis
    • 2 small onions sliced
    • Juice from 2 oranges
    • Juice from 2 limes

    Instructions
     

    • Start by making a rub for your pork. In a small mixing bowl mix cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, together. Then rub the seasonings over all sides of the pork.
    • Place the pork in the slow cooker. Making sure that the fat side of the pork is facing up.
    • Over the top of the pork spread on your minced garlic, green chilis, and onions. Add the juice from the oranges and limes.
    • Cover and cook on low 10 hours.
    • Remove the meat from the slow cooker and with two forks pulling away from each other shred your cooked pork.
    • Once shredded place your pork back into the slow cooker and let it cook on low for 30 minutes. (Tip: If there seems to be a lot of juices, you can remove some of it first)
    • After simmering the meat, using tongs, transfer the meat to a large rimmed sheet pan. Make sure the pan is large enough that the meat is not crowed but has room to spread out.
    • Place it under the broiler for 1-3 minutes. This cooks quickly so make sure to watch it closely. You want some of the meat to brown up and become crispy, but not all of it.
    • Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy.

    Notes

    This needs a longer cooking time than your usual slow cooker recipe. Cook it low and slow for maximum flavor and tenderness.
    This needs a longer cooking time than your usual slow cooker recipe. Cook it low and slow for maximum flavor and tenderness.
     

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingSodium: 715mgCalcium: 47mgVitamin C: 11mgVitamin A: 181IUSugar: 2gFiber: 1gPotassium: 675mgCholesterol: 116mgCalories: 276kcalSaturated Fat: 4gFat: 13gProtein: 34gCarbohydrates: 5gIron: 3mg
    Keyword Slow Cooker Carnitas, Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

     

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    Hi, I'm Jennie! I'm a busy mom of three and I love cooking and sharing easy recipes. From slow cooker meals to casseroles all my recipes are simple to make and ones the entire family will love.

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