5.0 from 108 votes
Best Slow Cooker Carnitas
Slow Cooker Carnitas Recipe - If you're looking for a flavorful, fuss-free meal, this carnitas recipe is the ticket! Cooked low and slow in your crockpot, the pork becomes fall-apart tender and irresistibly juicy. Perfect for tacos, burritos, or a simple rice bowl, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
4 hrs
Total Time
4 hrs 5 mins
Servings: 12
Calories: 249 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Mexican
Ingredients
- 4 pounds pork butt roast
- 2 tablespoons bacon grease or oil
- 1 large onion, peeled and chopped
- 5-6 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
- 1 cup orange juice
- 2 teaspoons liquid smoke
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 2 tablespoons ancho chile powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Smear the bacon grease on the bottom of a large slow cooker. Cut the pork into large chunks and place inside the slow cooker. Then add ALL remaining ingredients around the pork.
- Turn the slow cooker on: Low for 8-10 hours, or High for 4-6 hours. Once the pork is fork-tender, use 2 forks to shred the meat into the juices.
- If you like your carnitas crispy on the edges (like it's served in restaurants) use a slotted spoon to scoop the meat out of the juices and spread in a thin layer on a baking sheet(s). Place on the upper oven rack and broil for 2-5 minutes, until darker crispy edges form. Do not take your eyes off the broiler, you can burn the carnitas quickly. Serve over rice, taco, or on top of salads!
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Serving
6ounces
Calories
249kcal
(12%)
Carbohydrates
5g
(2%)
Protein
34g
(68%)
Fat
9g
(14%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Cholesterol
97mg
(32%)
Sodium
600mg
(25%)
Potassium
700mg
(20%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
790IU
(16%)
Vitamin C
11.7mg
(13%)
Calcium
35mg
(4%)
Iron
2.2mg
(12%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 249
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 6ounces | |
| Calories | 249kcal | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 5g | 2% |
| Protein | 34g | 68% |
| Fat | 9g | 14% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 97mg | 32% |
| Sodium | 600mg | 25% |
| Potassium | 700mg | 15% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 790IU | 16% |
| Vitamin C | 11.7mg | 13% |
| Calcium | 35mg | 4% |
| Iron | 2.2mg | 12% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.