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Slow Cooker Carnitas

Slow Cooker Carnitas
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Slow Cooker Carnitas delivers tender, juicy, and flavorful pork that melts in your mouth with minimal effort. Perfect for tacos, burritos, salads, or hearty bowls, this authentic Mexican-style recipe combines a perfect spice blend and fresh citrus in a slow cooker, making it a versatile, family-friendly, and delicious meal option.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 3–4 pounds pork shoulder (or pork butt), trimmed with some marbling
  • 1 cup orange juice (fresh preferred)
  • 1/4 cup lime juice (fresh preferred)
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced or crushed
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon chipotle powder or smoked paprika (optional for smoky heat)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pork: Trim excess fat from the pork shoulder, leaving some marbling for tenderness. Cut the pork into large chunks to ensure even cooking and easy shredding later on.
  2. Mix the Marinade: In a bowl, combine orange juice, lime juice, minced garlic, ground cumin, dried oregano, onion powder, chipotle powder or smoked paprika (if using), salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly until the spices are well blended to create a balanced marinade.
  3. Add Pork and Marinade to Slow Cooker: Place the pork chunks into the slow cooker. Pour the marinade evenly over the pork pieces. Add the bay leaves for extra flavor. Ensure the pork is mostly submerged in the marinade for optimal cooking.
  4. Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the pork is tender and can be easily shredded with forks.
  5. Shred the Meat: Carefully remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Strain the cooking liquid to remove solids and reduce it slightly in a pan over medium heat to create a flavorful sauce to drizzle over the shredded pork if desired.
  6. Crisp the Carnitas (Optional): For authentic texture, spread the shredded pork evenly on a baking sheet and broil in the oven for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the edges become crispy and golden brown.

Notes

  • Use fresh orange and lime juice to enhance brightness and tenderize the pork beautifully.
  • Don’t skip the broiling step if you want crispy edges that add a delightful texture contrast.
  • Reserve and use the cooking liquid as a sauce to keep the carnitas juicy and flavorful.
  • Cook low and slow to break down the pork shoulder fully, ensuring melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.
  • Carnitas taste even better the next day after flavors have mingled overnight.
  • Choose a quality pork shoulder cut for the best results due to its fat content and connective tissue.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker carnitas, pork carnitas, Mexican carnitas, shredded pork, slow cooked pork, carnitas recipe, easy carnitas, crockpot carnitas

Find it online: https://ninagourmet.com/slow-cooker-carnitas/