Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas should be fork tender and bursting with flavor. You’ll love this easy recipe for pork carnitas seasoned to perfection and made to serve on tortillas or in bowls.

If you love using your crock pot for dinners, make sure you try our delicious Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas recipe too! While our Carne Asada isn’t made in a slow cooker, it is absolutely delicious!

Easy Pork Carnitas in the Crockpot

When it comes to easy dinner recipes, I love a delicious meal that takes very little work.

In our family, tex-mex foods are a staple. They appeal to everyone, and can be customized in flavors by the fabulous toppings and sides.

Typically at a mexican restaurant you’ll find carnitas on the menu, among baked tacos, crockpot fajitas, and slow cooker barbacoa.

Carnitas, which means “little meats”, are made by simmering pork until the lard is tender. Slow cookers and crock pots are the perfect route to cook carnitas, to get that tender, flavorful meat.

Think of carnitas as a mexican version of pulled pork! Delicious.

Be sure to check out some of our other favorite slow cooker dinner recipes!

How to make Carnitas

Step 1: Place pork in the bottom of a large crock pot or slow cooker. Season with garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, and cumin. 

Top with fresh snipped cilantro, salsa (any kind), chicken broth, tequila, and chopped green chilies.

Add the juice of one orange.

Step 2: Cover and cook on low for 6 hours. (I would cook closer to 8 hours for pork shoulder)

Step 3: Shred pork with two forks, mix with juices and serve.

PRO TIP: You can also try our Instant Pot carnitas recipe too!

What cut of pork is best for Carnitas

When choosing a cut of pork for carnitas, it can be a very personal decision. 

Typically you may want to opt for a pork shoulder (pork butt) because of the higher concentration of fat. In an effort to cut down on the fat we eat, I make mine using tenderloins. 

Pork tenderloins do become dry if over cooked, but with today’s recipe packed with seasoning and juices, they work just fine!

For a more traditional route though, choose the pork shoulder.

Serving Suggestions

You be the judge on what to serve with your delicious fork tender crock pot carnitas.

Here are some ideas on what to serve with them:

• Guacamole -homemade is best. You could also add sliced avocado instead
• Pico de Gallo
• Cilantro Lime Rice
• Salsa Verde
• Black Beans
• Diced Onions
• Jalapenos
• Sour Cream
• Cilantro
• Lettuce
• Corn Salad
• Dorito Taco Salad
• Mexican Street Corn Salad

You can create a “taco” by serving on a flour or corn tortilla. Or turn your carnitas into a “bowl” with all the toppings on a bed of lettuce.

Tips and Tricks

• If you like your carnitas crispy, once you’ve shredded them in the slow cooker, lay them on a baking sheet and broil for about 15 minutes, stirring once. Or crisp them up in a skillet!
• Substitute beer or more chicken broth for the tequila, if desired
• Want to freeze Carnitas? Place leftovers in a freezer safe container or ziploc bag. Freeze with juices until ready to use. Thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat and enjoy.
• Squeeze a fresh lime over the carnitas right before serving for a delicious zing!
• Don’t forget dessert! Our fried ice cream and homemade churros are perfect endings to your meal.

More Dinner Recipes

• Oven Baked Pork Chops
• Chipotle Pork Tenderloin
• Balsamic Glazed Pork
• Pork Chops with Peaches
• Chipotle BBQ Pork
• Root Beer Pulled Pork
• Lasagna Soup
• Instant Pot Barbacoa Recipe

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Pork Carnitas- Slow Cooker

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By: Aimee

Slow Cooker or Crock Pot Pork Carnitas should be fork tender and bursting with flavor. You'll love this easy recipe for pork carnitas with little prep and lots of flavor.

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 6 hours hours

Total Time: 6 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 4 pounds pork tenderloin or pork shoulder/butt
• ▢ 4 cloves garlic pressed
• ▢ 2 teaspoon olive oil
• ▢ 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ▢ ½ teaspoon pepper
• ▢ 1 teaspoon cumin
• ▢ 1½ cups fresh cilantro snipped
• ▢ 1 cup salsa
• ▢ ¼ cup chicken broth
• ▢ ¼ cup tequila or beer
• ▢ 1 can chopped green chilies 4 ounce
• ▢ 1 orange juiced

Toppings:

• ▢ tortillas
• ▢ black beans
• ▢ guacamole
• ▢ pico de gallo
• ▢ cilantro
• ▢ onions

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Instructions 

• Place pork in crock pot. Sprinkle with garlic, oil, salt, pepper and cumin. Top with cilantro, salsa, broth, tequila, green chilies, and juice from one orange. Cover and cook on low for about 6-8 hours.
• Shred pork with two forks and continue to cook until heated through.
• Serve on a tortilla with all the fixings, or make a rice bowl with black beans and all the fixings. Enjoy!

Notes

• If you like your carnitas crispy, once you’ve shredded them in the slow cooker, lay them on a baking sheet and broil for about 15 minutes, stirring once.
• Substitute beer or more chicken broth for the tequila, if desired
• Want to freeze Carnitas? Place leftovers in a freezer safe container or ziploc bag. Freeze with juices until ready to use. Thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat and enjoy.
• Squeeze a fresh lime over the carnitas right before serving for a delicious zing!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 381kcal, Carbohydrates: 6g, Protein: 60g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 166mg, Sodium: 682mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g

Course: Slow Cooker

Cuisine: Mexican

Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!

Slow Cooker or Crock Pot Pork Carnitas are fork tender and the perfect recipe for a crowd.