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Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

Published: Sep 29, 2022 · Modified: Nov 16, 2022 by Eileen xo

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A Pinterest pin with text overlay for pork carnitas with one photo being the pork on a platter and the second photo is the shredded pork on a tray.

These Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas are so easy to prepare and will be a hit with everyone. The combination of pork, spices, and citric juices enhances the flavor of the meat.

These are perfect served as tacos, burritos, quesadillas, chili, rice bowls...endless possibilities.

A white plate with shredded pork, chopped cilantro, red onions on it.
Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Equipment
  • Instructions
  • Storage
  • Expert Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Variations
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Similar recipes
  • Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
  • 💬 Comments

❤️ Why you'll love this recipe

  • Pork Carnitas are very versatile and can be transformed into anything from quesadillas to tacos.
  • This is the perfect recipe to feed a family or a crowd.
  • The spices can be adjusted to make these a bit

Ingredients

Ingredients to make slow cooker pork carnitas with text overlay.

You can use 2 Tablespoons of our homemade Pork Dry Rub or this combination with the specifics below in the recipe card.

  • dried oregano
  • ground chili powder
  • ground cumin
  • garlic powder
  • onion powder
  • Kosher salt
  • ground black pepper

Pork Carnitas

  • pork shoulder ( pork butt) - trim excess fat off the pork
  • corn oil - vegetable oil will work too
  • yellow onions - add flavor to the broth
  • jalapeno - for a little heat
  • garlic - makes everything better
  • oranges/ limes - the citrus is a fabulous flavor enhancer
  • bay leaves - elevates the flavor
  • salt and pepper, to taste

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker
  • Instant Read Thermometer
  • meat claw
  • Cutting Board
  • Knives
  • Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
  • Whisk

Instructions

This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.

  1. In a small bowl, combine, oregano, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, Kosher salt, and pepper.
  2. Rub the spice mix over the entire piece of pork. Set aside.
  3. Rinse and dry the pork shoulder/butt. Coat the pork with the pork dry rub. Set aside.
  4. In a large saute pan, over medium heat, add the corn oil. Add in the seasoned pork and brown on all sides.  Once browned, remove and add to the slow cooker.
  5. To the pan, add the onions and jalapeno, and saute for about 5 minutes.  Add in garlic and saute another minute. Remove from heat and put the veggies into the slow cooker. 
  6. To the slow cooker, add the juice from the orange and lime. and bay leaf. Cook on low, for 8 hours. high, 4 hours.
  7. The meat is done when meat when it is fork tender. Remove the bay leaf and citrus peels and discard. Shred the meat 
  8. Heat oven to 450°F
  9. Place the shredded pork on a baking tray. You may need two baking trays, depending on the quantity of meat.
  10. Place cookie sheet in preheated oven and cook for about 5 minutes to crisp up the meat
A baking pan with shredded cooked pork.

Storage

Leftovers can be kept in a covered airtight container for 3 days. Reheat leftovers either on the stovetop in a saute pan or in the oven at 350°F/177°C until heated through.

Freezer Instructions:

The pork freezes very well. Place in a freezer-safe bag or container in the freezer for up to 4 months.

Defrost overnight in the refrigerator and reheat as above. If using a

A white plate with shredded pork on a plate.

Expert Tips

Expert Tip: For maximum flavor, be sure and crisp up the pork in the oven after it cooks in the slow cooker.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I overcook carnitas in the slow cooker?

Yes. It is possible to overcook them. It is best to cook the pork until they are pork tender.
Follow the instructions and test the pork for the internal temperature of 170°F/77°C when the cooking time is done.

What is the difference between pulled pork and carnitas?

Pulled pork is usually a BBQ-based sauce while carnitas has more of a Mexican-based sauce using citrus and spices.

What cut of meat is best for carnitas?

Pork shoulder has a nice amount of meat to fat and makes delicious and flavorful carnitas.

Variations

You can use 2 Tablespoons of our homemade Pork Dry Rub in lieu of the combination in the recipe card.

Pork butt is our favorite cut to make carnitas. However, if you prefer not to use pork, try a beef chuck roast or a lamb shoulder cut of meat.

Serving Suggestions

Carnitas are fantastic to serve in tortillas. Make a big bowl of homemade guacamole and Pico de Gallo for toppings.

Roasted tomatillo salsa would be another delicious choice to serve with these pork carnitas.

Every great meal needs a tasty dessert, our Tres Leche cake is moist and so delicious.

For a bite-size snack, try our Churro Bites, they can be made in the Instant Pot or baked.

Similar recipes

Beef Burrito Bowls is simple and delicious, easy to make, and great for meal planning.

Mexican Pork Chops are super flavorful and grilling the pork adds a great smokiness to the flavors.

Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Beef is another favorite that is easy to prepare and always a hit.

I love any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them below.

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Thank you for your continued support. I am forever grateful.

Eileen  xo

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

An easy recipe for slow cooker pork carnitas.  The blend of spices, citrus, and pork make delicious carnitas. These are perfect in tacos, burritos, quesadillas, burrito bowls.  These are a party time favorite dish! 
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Main Course, Main Dish, Slow Cooker
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: slow cooker carnitas, slow cooker pork carnitas
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours hours
0 minutes minutes
Total Time: 6 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 233kcal
Author: Eileen Kelly

Equipment Needed:

  • As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
  • Slow Cooker
  • Instant Read Thermometer
  • meat claw
  • Cutting Board
  • Knives
  • Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
  • Whisk

Ingredients

Pork Dry Rub

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Pork Carnitas

  • 4-5 pound pork shoulder/pork butt trim excess fat
  • 1 teaspoon corn oil
  • 2 large onions, peeled and chopped
  • 1 jalapeno, seeded, rib removed, chopped
  • 5 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
  • 2 large oranges, halved and juiced keep peel to add to slow cooker
  • 1 large limes, halved, and juiced keep peel to add flavor to slow cooker
  • 2 bay leaves
  • salt and pepper, to taste
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Pork Carnitas Spice Rub

  • In a small bowl, whisk together oregano, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, Kosher salt, and pepper.
  • Rub the spice mix over the entire piece of pork. Set the meat aside.

How to make carnitas

  • In a large saute pan, over medium heat, add the corn oil. Add in the seasoned pork and brown on all sides.  Once browned, remove and add to the slow cooker.
  • To the pan, add the onions and jalapeno and saute for about 5 minutes.  Add in garlic and saute for a few seconds to blend flavors. Remove from heat and add the veggies and juices to the slow cooker. 
  • Then add the juice from the orange, lime, and bay leaf. Also, add in the skins from the citrus for extra flavor. Cook on low, for 8 hours. high, 4 hours.
  • The meat will be fork tender and the internal temperature of the meat will be 170°F/77°C. Remove the bay leaf, and citrus peels and discard.
  • Remove the meat and let it rest on a cutting board about 10-15 minutes to let the juices set.
  • Shred the meat using forks or meat shredders.
  • If you like caramelization on the meat, Heat the oven to 450°F/232.°C
  • Place the shredded pork to a cookie sheet. You may need two cookie sheets depending on the quantity of meat.
  • Place cookie sheet in preheated oven and cook for about 5 minutes to crisp up the meat

Notes

Be sure to check the Expert Tips and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help make a delicious recipe
  • For parties, I generally make these a day ahead and keep them in an aluminum tin, and put them finish off in the oven as per the recipe and they are ready to eat.
  • Pork Carnitas are amazing in tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and any type of Mexican bowl.
I'm not a registered dietician, I do my best to provide the most accurate nutritional values. Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation. Actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.
Don’t forget to shop at the Everyday Eileen store on Amazon.

Nutrition

Serving: 12servings | Calories: 233kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 91mg | Sodium: 151mg | Potassium: 619mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 131IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @Everyday_Eileen or tag #everydayeileen!

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