Walking into the house and smelling Crockpot Pork Carnitas Recipe is a small comfort after a long day. The 3-4 pounds pork shoulder (also known as pork butt), trimmed of excess fat, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt simmer together in the slow cooker while you take care of everything else.
This Crockpot recipe is perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd, as it yields a generous amount of delicious carnitas that can be customized with your favorite toppings.
Easy Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas Recipe
This recipe features pork shoulder seasoned with spices and citrus, slow-cooked until it is fork-tender and easily shredded. The cooking process takes about 8 hours on low heat and serves approximately 6 people.
Ingredients
- 3-4 pounds pork shoulder (also known as pork butt), trimmed of excess fat
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, quartered
- 1 orange, juiced and zested
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Prepare the Pork: Rub the pork shoulder with olive oil, salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, and chili powder. Ensure the pork is evenly coated.
- Add Ingredients to Crockpot: Place the seasoned pork in the Crockpot. Add the minced garlic, quartered onion, orange juice and zest, lime juice, and bay leaf.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until the pork is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
- Shred the Pork: Remove the pork from the Crockpot and shred it using two forks. Discard any large pieces of fat and the bay leaf.
- Crisp the Carnitas (Optional): For added texture, spread the shredded pork on a baking sheet and broil in the oven for 5-7 minutes until crispy.
- Serve: Serve the carnitas in tacos, burritos, or bowls with your favorite toppings such as cilantro, onions, avocado, and salsa.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
Nutrition Information
- Servings: 6 servings
- Calories: 320kcal
- Fat: 20g
- Protein: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
Crockpot Pork Carnitas Recipe reheats well as leftovers, so I usually make enough for lunch the next day. If you try it, tweak the seasoning to your own taste and make it yours.
