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    Home » Recipes » Dinner

    Slow Cooker Carnitas

    Published: May 1, 2023 · Modified: Mar 15, 2024 by Ryan Allen · Leave a Comment · This post may contain affiliate links

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    Slow cooker carnitas combine perfectly-cooked, tender pork roast with classic Mexican spices to create a rich pork dish perfect for tacos, burritos, and more. These easy crock pot carnitas make this authentic Mexican dish even easier to make!

    Five pork carnitas tacos garnished with cilantro, onions and cheese.
    Jump to:
    • Slow Cooker Carnitas
    • Why You'll Love These Slow Cooker Carnitas
    • Slow Cooker Carnitas Ingredients
    • How To Make Crock Pot Carnitas
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Serve With
    • Storage
    • More Pork Recipes
    • SHARE IT & RATE IT
    • Slow Cooker Carnitas Recipe

    This easy, delicious carnitas recipe is perfect for classic Mexican dishes like tacos, quesadillas, or nachos. It's one of the most delicious, versatile pork recipes you'll ever make. And it doesn't hurt that it's so easy!

    Slow Cooker Carnitas

    Using the slow cooker makes it so easy to create classic carnitas with minimal effort. The traditional simmer method requires that you babysit the meat to ensure it doesn't stick to the pot. This easy crock pot carnitas recipe is just a matter of adding all the ingredients to your slow cooker and coming back later for delicious shredded Mexican pork.

    Why You'll Love These Slow Cooker Carnitas

    • Simple Ingredients: This recipe uses just a few simple, basic ingredients.
    • Easy: Simply set and forget this recipe. The slow cooker does all the work.
    • Versatile: Use this meat in tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadillas, and more. You can even make delicious Mexican pulled pork sandwiches.
    • Great for Meal Prep: This pork freezes well, so it's a great option for storing for future meals.
    Slow cooker carnitas on a baking sheet with limes.

    Slow Cooker Carnitas Ingredients

    It just takes a few ingredients and some patience to make this easy recipe. All the ingredients you need are listed right here, but you can find their exact amounts in the recipe card at the end of the post.

    • Pork Shoulder Roast - Shoulder roast is the classic cut of pork for carnitas. Its fan content and connective tissues break down over the long cooking process to create super tender meat.
    • Olive Oil - Creates a crispy exterior on the pork during the broiling process.
    • White Onion and Minced Garlic - This classic combination adds a subtly sweet earthiness and bite.
    • Orange Juice - Adds bright, citrus flavor, sweetness, and acidity that helps make the meat even more tender.
    • Dry Rub - A combination of cinnamon, dried oregano, cumin, onion powder, salt, and pepper, the spices work together to create classic Mexican carnitas flavor.

    How To Make Crock Pot Carnitas

    This recipe takes almost no effort at all. Just season the rost, let the slow cooker do its thing, and broil at the end. That's it!

    The recipe highlights are listed here, but you can find the exact instructions in the recipe card at the end of the post.

    1. Season the Roast: Coat the roast in olive oil, then thoroughly coat it in the dry rub.
    2. Cook: Place the roast in the crock pot with the fat cap up, then add the onion and orange juice. Cook on low until the roast is fork tender.
    3. Shred: Let the cooked roast stand until safe enough to handle and shred with two forks.
    4. Broil: Broil the shredded pork until it's just a little crisp on the edges.
    Pork carnitas in a slow cooker garnished with limes.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the best cut of pork to use for carnitas?

    Pork butt roast is best for carnitas. This bone-in cut of pork is loaded with fat and connective tissue that breaks down as it cooks over a long period of time to create super tender meat.

    What's the difference between pulled pork and carnitas?

    Both classic pulled pork and carnitas are pulled pork. The main difference is the flavor and cooking method. Pulled pork tends to be sweet and smokier and is cooked with smoke or wet heat. On the other hand, carnitas have a more savory flavor with added citrus and are cooked with a dry heat source.

    Do you need liquid to cook pork roast in a slow cooker?

    That depends on the kind of pork roast recipe you're making. Pulled pork creates its own juice, so liquid isn't required. However, if you're making BBQ pulled pork, you'll add BBQ sauce and liquid, while recipes like these carnitas are made without added liquid.

    How do you use carnitas?

    Carnitas can be used in tacos, fajitas, burritos, quesadillas, on nachos, or even as sandwich meat.

    Serve With

    Carnitas can be used in a variety of recipes, and they pair well with an equally varied list of sides. Try it with:

    • Crock Pot Pinto Beans
    • Crock Pot Rice
    • Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas
    • Crock Pot Street Corn Dip
    Crispy pork carnitas on a baking sheet with limes.

    Storage

    It's important to refrigerate this pork as soon as it's cool enough to do so for maximum freshness and safety. Never leave it out for extended periods at parties, for example.

    To reheat the pork, bake it covered with a bit of added liquid at 350 until hated through. You can also reheat it in a skillet over medium heat.

    Refrigerator: Store for up to four days in an air-tight, freezer-safe container.

    Freezer: Store for up to three months in an air-tight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag with as much air removed as possible. Defrost before reheating.

    More Pork Recipes

    If you love pork, then check out these other delicious recipes.

    • Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup
    • Crock Pot Country Style Pork Ribs
    • Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin
    • Crock Pot Sweet and Sour Pork
    • Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
    Hands holding a pork carnitas taco.

    SHARE IT & RATE IT

    I would love it if you would leave a 5 Star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below. Then follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!

    Five pork carnitas tacos garnished with cilantro, onions and cheese.

    Slow Cooker Carnitas Recipe

    Author: Ryan Allen
    Combining aromatic spices and juicy pork makes these Slow Cooker Carnitas an easy way to enjoy protein packed with flavor. With just a few simple steps and your crock pot, enjoy carnitas that are the perfect addition to any Mexican dish!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 8 hours hrs
    Total Time 8 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, Mexican
    Servings 10
    Calories 354 kcal

    Equipment

    • My Favorite Slow-Cooker
    • Slow-Cooker Liners

    Ingredients
      

    • 8 lb bone-in pork shoulder roast
    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • ½ cup white onion (diced)
    • ½ cup fresh squeezed orange juice
    • 3 tsp garlic (minced)

    Rub

    • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
    • 1 tbsp dried oregano
    • 2 tsp cumin
    • 1 tsp onion powder
    • 1 tsp salt
    • 1 tsp black pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Pat pork roast dry with a paper towel and rub olive oil on all sides.
    • Add cinnamon, oregano, cumin, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Mix until well combined. Coat pork with dry rub on all sides and place in the slow cooker with the fat cap up.
    • Add onion, orange juice, and jalapeno to the crock pot.
    • Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
    • Remove the pork roast from the slow cooker and place it on a foil-lined baking sheet. Let rest for 5 minutes. Then shred with two forks.
    • Pour ½ cup of drippings from the slow cooker over the shredded pork.
    • Broil for 3-5 minutes, just long enough to crisp up the edges.
    • Serve with your preferred toppings on flour or corn tortillas, and enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 354kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 44gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 148mgSodium: 402mgPotassium: 813mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 53IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 3mg

    *Nutrition information is an estimate. It may vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact ingredient numbers, I recommend calculating them with your preferred nutrition calculator.

    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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    Hey, I am Ryan

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