5.0 from 30 votes
Classic Carnitas Recipe (Slow Cooker)
My slow cooker carnitas recipe is simmered for 10 hours, and the meat comes out bursting with flavor — my special pork rub guarantees it!
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
6 hrs
Total Time
6 hrs 20 mins
Servings: 10
Calories: 416 kcal
Course:
Dinner
Cuisine:
Mexican
Ingredients
Carnitas
- 6 lbs boneless pork shoulder pork butt
- 2 oranges cut in half
- 2 large carrots cut in half
- 1 onion (white or yellow) cut into quarters
- 3 bay leaves
- 3/4 cup chicken stock
- 3/4 cup orange juice
Rub
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp oregano Mexican or regular
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Assembly
- flour or corn tortillas
- refried beans
- 2 white onions sliced
- 1 bunch cilantro chopped
- 3 limes sliced
- Pico de Gallo
- salsa verde
- Roasted Tomato Salsa
- guacamole
- Pickled Carrots
Instructions
- Combine the rub ingredients together in a small bowl. Use your hands to apply the rub over the entire surface of the pork.
- Place the pork butt in the slow cooker, fat side up. Add the oranges, carrots, onion and bay leaves and pour the chicken stock (or orange juice) over and cover.
- Slow cook on low heat for 10 hours, or high heat for 6 hours.
- Use a slotted spoon to carefully transfer the pork carnitas to a serving platter. Allow the meat to cool slightly, then shred by hand or by using two forks. Eat as is, but BEST if crispy.
Cup of Yum
Crispy
- Remove and discard cooked orange and vegetables from cooking liquid. Set aside.
- In a large skillet over high heat add a tablespoon of oil and fry shredded carnitas meat in batches, pouring 1/4 cup of cooking liquid in and simmer until juices have evaporated and meat is crispy and caramelized.
- Serve with hot tortillas, refried beans, sliced onions, tomato slices, cilantro, limes and salsas of choice.
Nutrition Information
Calories
416kcal
(21%)
Carbohydrates
17g
(6%)
Protein
63g
(126%)
Fat
10g
(15%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
4g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
164mg
(55%)
Sodium
650mg
(27%)
Potassium
1240mg
(35%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
11g
(22%)
Vitamin A
2180IU
(44%)
Vitamin C
31mg
(34%)
Calcium
73mg
(7%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 10Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 416
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 416kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 17g | 6% |
| Protein | 63g | 126% |
| Fat | 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 164mg | 55% |
| Sodium | 650mg | 27% |
| Potassium | 1240mg | 26% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 11g | 22% |
| Vitamin A | 2180IU | 44% |
| Vitamin C | 31mg | 34% |
| Calcium | 73mg | 7% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.