Description
Slow Cooker Carnitas transform pork shoulder into tender, juicy, and flavorful pieces infused with citrus, garlic, and smoky spices. This easy, hands-off recipe yields delicious carnitas perfect for tacos, bowls, or a variety of meals, offering versatility and convenience with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4–5 pounds pork shoulder, trimmed and cut into large chunks
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 4–5 garlic cloves, minced
- 2–3 chipotle peppers in adobo, chopped
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 medium onion, sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the Pork: Trim any excess fat from the pork shoulder and cut it into large chunks to fit comfortably in your slow cooker, helping to speed cooking and ensure even seasoning.
- Mix the Marinade: In a bowl, combine the orange juice, lime juice, minced garlic, chopped chipotle peppers, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Whisk everything together to create a tangy, smoky marinade bursting with flavor.
- Layer Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Place the sliced onions and bay leaves at the bottom of the slow cooker, then add the pork chunks. Pour the marinade evenly over the meat, ensuring each piece is coated.
- Slow Cook Low and Slow: Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours until the pork is fork-tender and shreds easily, allowing the meat to absorb the bold flavors.
- Shred and Crisp: Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred using two forks. For crispy carnitas, spread the shredded pork on a baking sheet and broil for 5-7 minutes, flipping once, until edges are golden and crunchy.
Notes
- Choose pork shoulder for its ideal fat content to ensure tender, flavorful carnitas.
- Do not skip the orange and lime juice as they help tenderize the meat and add brightness.
- Adjust chipotle peppers based on your desired spice level.
- Broiling the shredded pork adds a delicious crispy texture but is optional.
- Reserve the cooking liquid to use as a flavorful base for rice or beans.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 hours (low) or 4-5 hours (high)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking and Broiling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 oz cooked carnitas
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg