Slow Cooker Carnitas Wellplated Com

Meltingly tender pulled pork slow cooked with Mexican spices and citrus juices, then crisped up at the edges in the oven just so, carnitas are:

Make-Ahead Marvelous. You can prep the recipe hours in advance and leave it warming in the slow cooker, or fully cook the day before and reheat.Big-Batch Beautiful. Whether you need to feed a crowd, stock your freezer, or just love leftovers (ME!), you’ll be pleased with this recipe’s generous yield.Dump-and-Go. This is an EASY carnitas recipe. No need to precook any of the ingredients. Simply add them to the crockpot, stir, and walk away.Gush-Worthy Guaranteed. Whenever I make crockpot carnitas (or Instant Pot Carnitas), my friends react the same way: they freak out. YOU MADE THIS?! It’s uhhh-ma-zing!

Carnitas are an easy, do-ahead, big-serving, self-esteem-boosting surefire hit—that is my kind of recipe!

How to Make Pork Carnitas

Whenever I have the option to choose my own taco plate, carnitas are guaranteed to be on it. This recipe is the best of my (extensive) sampling of authentic carnitas recipes, made easy for you in the slow cooker.

The Ingredients

Pork. The best cut of meat for carnitas is pork butt or pork shoulder. Both cuts of meat become perfectly tender and juicy when slow cooked (this is key!) and contain the ideal amount of fat. Pork is rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Orange and Lime Juice. Although these are orange slow cooker carnitas, they do not taste like orange juice. The orange juice and lime juice merely brighten the overall flavor of the carnitas and give them the perfect hint of acidity and sweetness. The outcome will be similar (but healthier) than a popular Coke slow cooker carnitas recipe. Spices. Chipotle chile powder, cumin, and chili powder add smokiness, depth, and warmth. Oregano brings a touch of earthy, herby flavor and is classic in Mexican cooking. Garlic + Onion. These two are working in the background from the start to build rich flavor.

The Directions

Making This Recipe without A Slow Cooker

If you do not have a slow cooker, I believe you can turn this into a Dutch oven carnitas recipe. DO NOT use pork tenderloin for carnitas; it will dry out and not shred (instead, try this Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin).

Avocado. Both sliced avocado and guacamole are scrumptious. Try my recipe for the Best Homemade Guacamole. Cilantro. Fresh and tasty.Cheese. Either feta or queso fresco would be wonderful.Onion. Sliced, diced, or Pickled Onions add pop.Jalapeño. For a nice kick.Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream. Cool, creamy, and tangy.

Trim, cut, and season the pork as directed. Prepare the orange juice mixture as directed. Add the onion and pork to a large Dutch oven on the stovetop, then pour the juice mixture over the top. Stir to coat. Let it simmer slowly over low heat until it’s fall-apart tender, stirring occasionally. Shred the meat and finish the carnitas in the oven as directed.

Ways to Use Pork Carnitas Meat

Tacos. Carnitas make a scrumptious filling for tacos (for a different flavor profile, try Slow Cooker Asian Pulled Pork Tacos).Quesadilla. Tuck carnitas and cheese into a tortilla for a tasty quesadilla. (If this sounds tasty, don’t miss my Pulled Pork Quesadilla.)Salad. Top a bed of lettuce or Mexican Salad with carnitas for a protein boost. Burrito Bowl. For a copycat Chipotle carnitas bowl, swap the chicken in this Chipotle Bowl recipe for this carnitas.

Storage Tips

To Store. Refrigerate carnitas in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days. To Reheat. Rewarm leftovers on a baking sheet in the oven at 350 degrees F, in a pan on the stovetop, or in the microwave. To Freeze. Freeze carnitas in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Slow Cooker. Perfect for slow cooker carnitas. Baking Sheet. A must-have tool in every kitchen. Liquid Measuring Cup. Easily measure and mix ingredients in one place.

Crock it and rock it, carnitas style! Up to 1 day in advance, you can also fully prepare the recipe as directed. Cover and refrigerate. Reheat as directed just before serving.