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Home » Meal Ideas » Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

Meal Ideas

2 Nov

Family friendly Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas are a Mexican staple packed full of flavor, perfect for tacos, burritos and salads!

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas are one of our favorite things to make. Packed full of flavor, this slow cooked seasoned pork is a versatile Mexican staple that is awesome on its own but can be used in a dozen different ways.

The tender-crisp Mexican pulled pork is bursting with infused spices and citrus. It is easy to make, family friendly and freezes well. A perfect addition to your weeknight meal rotation!

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Ingredients for Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas in original manufacturer packaging.

What You’ll Need to Make Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

  • Pork Shoulder Roast – Also known as “pork butt”, we use a 2-3 pound boneless pork shoulder roast, or if bone in roast is on sale, we use up to a 4 pound bone-in roast. The meat will fall off the bone in the slow cooker so it really doesn’t matter. Another inexpensive option is to use pork country style ribs!

  • Onion – while we typically use yellow onion, any onion variety may be used.

  • Pantry Spices – Bay leaf, kosher salt (if using regular salt, use half as much), black pepper, oregano leaves, chili powder (can substitute ancho chili powder if you like), cumin, and brown sugar.

  • Cooking Oil – for frying. We usually use vegetable or canola but avocado or olive oil may also be used.

  • Lemon and Lime Juice – We like fresh but bottled juice will work just the same!

  • Garlic – 4 cloves, minced or peeled and chopped.


Finished Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas in a bowl.

What does “Carnitas” mean?

According to Wikipedia, the term “Carnitas” means “little meats” that are usually braised or cooked until tender. In our house, Carnitas means there’s going to be something delicious and Mexican for dinner!

The hard work of braising the meat is done by the slow cooker in this recipe, citrus and spices infusing into and tenderizing the little chunks of pork, making them fall apart delicious. Versatile and delicious!

Great Ideas for using Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

  • Easy Baked Enchiladas
  • Pulled Pork Quesadillas
  • Burritos
  • Pulled Pork Mexican Mac & Cheese
  • Mexican Salads
  • Sweet BBQ Pulled Pork Chili
  • Pulled Pork Nachos
  • Tacos

Tacos made with Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas on a plate.

How to make Slow Cooker pork Carnitas

Bursting with flavor, Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas are fall apart tender and super easy to make. While the spice and citrus infused pulled pork is delicious on it’s own, it also makes a great base for many Mexican dishes!

Whisking together the slow cooker spice mixture for the Slow Cooker pork Carnitas in a bowl.

In a medium bowl combine brown sugar, lime juice, lemon juice, salt & pepper, oregano, chili powder, cumin and garlic. Whisk together to blend.

Pouring the spice mix over the pork, onions and bay leaf in the slow cooker.

Place the pork roast into the bowl of a medium to large sized slow cooker. Surround the roast with the sliced onion and bay leaf. Turn the slow cooker heat to low.

Pour the Carnitas spice mix over the top of the roast in the slow cooker.

Basting the Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas as they cook.

Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours until pork is tender, occasionally basting the roast with the juices.

Straining the solids from the slow cooker juices with a mesh strainer.

Remove the pork to a medium bowl and set aside. Using a wire mesh strainer, drain the cooking liquid from the slow cooker into another bowl. Discard solids but keep the cooking liquid.

Shredding the pork carnitas with two forks on a cutting board.

Using two forks, shred the pork. Discard any bones.

Finishing the pork carnitas by frying the meat, making them crispy and brown and infusing more flavor.

Heat the cooking oil in a medium cast iron pan or skillet over medium-high heat. In batches, add the shredded pork and cook for 2-3 minutes until meat is slightly browned and crispy.

Using a spatula, flip the meat over and add about a cup of the reserved cooking liquid. Continue cooking until the liquid has been absorbed. Remove from skillet.

Repeat until all of the shredded pork has been crisped. Discard any leftover cooking liquid.

Finished Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas in a bowl.

Serve the pork carnitas in tacos, burritos or on a salad topped with cilantro, shredded cheese, and a squeeze of lime if desired. Enjoy!

Tacos made with Pork Carnitas.

Other Mexican Inspired Favorites You Might Like

Homemade Taco Seasoning – Limited salt, sugar and no preservatives, this blend is completely customizable to your preferences!

Cilantro Lime Crema – a light and tangy sauce that adds the perfect fresh zing to just about everything!

Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce – Ingredients from your pantry bring the flavors of Mexico right into your kitchen!

Mexican Grilled Chicken Street Tacos – Pantry ingredients combine to bring the flavors of Mexico into your kitchen!

Simple Homemade Guacamole – This delicious side adds so much and is so easy to make!

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

Family friendly Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas are a Mexican staple packed full of flavor, perfect for tacos, burritos and salads!
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Cook Time: 8 hours hours
Shredding & Frying Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 8 hours hours 20 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 135kcal

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker 4.5 – 7 quart size

Ingredients

  • 2-3 pound boneless pork shoulder roast or up to 4 pounds bone-in
  • 1 medium onion sliced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tbsp cooking oil for frying vegetable or canola

Slow Cooker Carnitas Spice Mix

  • 1 tbsp brown sugar packed
  • 2 tbsp lime juice 2 limes, juiced
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice 1 large lemon, juiced
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano leaves
  • 1/4 tsp chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp cumin
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
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Instructions

  • In a medium bowl combine brown sugar, lime juice, lemon juice, salt & pepper, oregano, chili powder, cumin and garlic. Whisk together to blend.
  • Place the pork roast into the bowl of a medium to large sized slow cooker. Surround the roast with the sliced onion and bay leaf. Turn the slow cooker heat to low.
  • Pour the Carnitas spice mix over the top of the roast in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours until pork is tender, occasionally basting the roast with the juices.
  • Remove the pork to a medium bowl and set aside. Using a wire mesh strainer, drain the cooking liquid from the slow cooker into another bowl. Discard solids but keep the cooking liquid.
  • Using two forks, shred the pork. Discard any bones.
  • Heat the cooking oil in a medium cast iron pan or skillet over medium-high heat. In batches, add the shredded pork and cook for 2-3 minutes until meat is slightly browned and crispy.
  • Using a spatula, flip the meat over and add about a cup of the reserved cooking liquid. Continue cooking until the liquid has been absorbed. Remove from skillet.
  • Repeat until all of the shredded pork has been crisped. Discard any leftover cooking liquid.
  • Serve the pork carnitas in tacos, burritos or on a salad topped with cilantro, shredded cheese, and a squeeze of lime if desired. Enjoy!

Nutrition *

Calories: 135kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 200mg | Potassium: 282mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 30IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg
* The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.
Have you tried this recipe? Post a pic and mention @TheRecipeBandit or tag #therecipebandit!

  • Michelle Mundy

    As a busy working mom with kids on the go, I know how important it is to be able to make simple and delicious meals using everyday ingredients. The recipes shared here are family friendly with easy to understand step by step instructions. Tried and true, from our family to yours. Welcome to The Recipe Bandit! Click here to read more about me.

2 Comments

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Comments

  1. Supriya Kutty says

    November 5, 2024 at 1:00 am

    5 stars
    I love how it breaks down the steps to create tender, flavorful pork that can be used in so many dishes. The mix of spices and the addition of orange juice for extra depth is a great tip. I also appreciate the crisping step at the end—it really adds that authentic texture that makes carnitas so delicious. Can’t wait to try this one out for taco night! Thanks for sharing such a versatile and easy recipe.

    Reply
    • Michelle Mundy says

      November 6, 2024 at 8:24 am

      5 stars
      Thanks so much for your kind words Supriya! 🙂

      Reply

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About Me

  • Michelle Mundy

    As a busy working mom with kids on the go, I know how important it is to be able to make simple and delicious meals using everyday ingredients. The recipes shared here are family friendly with easy to understand step by step instructions. Tried and true, from our family to yours. Welcome to The Recipe Bandit! Click here to read more about me.

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