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4.7 from 69 votes

Best Slow Cooker Traditional Mexican Pork Carnitas Recipe

Slow cooker tender and delicious with a nice crispy finish! You will love these authentic Mexican pork carnitas! Super easy to make in the slow cooker and then crisp up in the oven.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
6 hrs
Total Time
6 hrs 10 mins
Servings: 24 servings
Calories: 301 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

  • 6 lb pork shoulder or butt
  • 1 onion medium, sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tsp oregano dried
  • 3 tsp cumin ground
  • ½ tsp black pepper ground
  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • ½ tsp cinnamon ground
  • 2 limes sliced sliced with rind removed
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 cup water

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a small bowl place oregano, cumin, black pepper, salt, chili powder,and cinnamon, then mix thoroughly.
  2. Put the pork shoulder in the slow cooker and add the onion, garlic, limes, bay leaves, water and spice mixture.
  3. Cover and cook for 6 hours on high.  Flip over every couple hours in the slow cooker.  Check after 5 hours or so and cook until it separates easily with a fork.
  4. Heat oven on broiler.
  5. Move meat to a large cutting board and using two forks begin the shred the meat.
  6. Place the meat in a single layer on a baking tray, and broil for about 5 minutes.
  7. Serve with flour or corn tortillas, lettuce, tomato, sour cream and hot sauce. 

Notes

  • Pork: Remove the skin on the pork shoulder and some of the fat but leave some fat to help retain the juices.  Excess fat can be discarded later.Dutch Oven:  Follow all the instructions above and cover the pot with foil and put the lid on top. Place in a 300°F oven for 6 hours.  Flip every couple hours and check the meat for tenderness. Add more water if needed to prevent it drying out.
  • Instant Pot or pressure cooker: Cook on high for 90 minutes.  Keep pressure valve in the seal position to release pressure naturally.
  • FAQs:
  • Yes, set aside and portion the amount you want to freeze before you get it crispy under the broiler. Allow the pork to completely cool and store in air tight freezer containers for 1-2 months. If you vacuum pack it will last over 12 months.
  • If properly stored in airtight containers the pork should be used in 3-4 days.
  • Our favorite dishes to make are tacos with lettuce, cilantro, tomato and onion. You can also make quesadillas, tostadas and burritos with your choice of fillings.
  • You can simply click on the number right next to: Servings: Change to adjust. Increase or decrease this number to your desired number of servings.
  • They are tangy and savory because they're made with garlic and citrus flavors.
  •  

Nutrition Information

Calories 301kcal (15%) Protein 19g (38%) Fat 24g (37%) Saturated Fat 8g (40%) Cholesterol 81mg (27%) Sodium 260mg (11%) Potassium 338mg (10%) Vitamin A 45IU (1%) Vitamin C 1.2mg (1%) Calcium 20mg (2%) Iron 1.2mg (7%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 24servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 301

% Daily Value*

Calories 301kcal 15%
Protein 19g 38%
Fat 24g 37%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Cholesterol 81mg 27%
Sodium 260mg 11%
Potassium 338mg 7%
Vitamin A 45IU 1%
Vitamin C 1.2mg 1%
Calcium 20mg 2%
Iron 1.2mg 7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.