Crispy Mexican Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas with Escabeche
User Reviews
4.9
48 reviews
Excellent
-
Prep Time
10 mins
-
Cook Time
6 hrs
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Total Time
6 hrs 10 mins
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Servings
10 people
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Calories
298 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Dinner
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Cuisine
Mexican
Crispy Mexican Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas with Escabeche
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These Crispy Mexican Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas are the best, easiest carnitas you will ever make! Tender, juicy shredded pork, filled with flavor and delicious crispy, caramelized "burnt ends" achieved by popping the shredded pork under the broiler, this is the perfect recipe for parties and large groups, and amazing in tacos, nachos, salads and burritos!
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Ingredients
Pork carnitas
- 4-5 pounds boneless pork shoulder or pork butt
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 2 Tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (about 2 limes)
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup green salsa
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar (optional)
- 1 Tablespoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 Jalapeño seeds removed
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
Escabeche
- 1 red onion thinly sliced
- 3/4 cup white vinegar
- 1 bay leaf
- 5 whole cloves
- 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon table salt
- 1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
- 1/2 teaspoon driedoregano
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 garlic clove thinly sliced
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
Instructions
Carnitas
- Place the pork in a large slow cooker. Add in the orange juice, lime juice, diced tomatoes and salsa.
- Mix together the brown sugar, cumin, salt, pepper, oregano, and chili powder in a small bowl and rub it into the meat. Add the chopped onion, jalapeno, bay leaves and cinnamon sticks, then cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 5-6 hours.
- At the 8 hour mark (or the 5 hour mark if cooking on high), remove the meat from the crock pot (do NOT discard all of the juices from the slow cooker) and place it in a large baking dish (so juices don't run all over your counter). Remove any fat from the meat and then shred the meat into bite-size pieces with a fork. Return the pork to the slow cooker with all of the juices from cooking and let it cook an additional 30 minutes while you prep garnishes and all the things you want to serve with your pork carnitas.
- Turn on the oven to broil.
- Transfer the shredded pork to a large baking sheet covered in tinfoil and spread into an even, single layer. Broil in the oven for 5-8 minutes, then give the meat a good toss with some tongs so other parts can get hit by the broiler and return to the oven for another 5-8 minutes under the broiler. This will give some of the pork a bit of char and create the crispy texture that really makes amazing carnitas even more amazing (and authentic). Serve in corn or flour tortillas with cilantro, fresh avocado, maybe some thinly sliced radishes or chopped white onion and cotija cheese, and homemade escabeche. Or add it to salads, nachos, soups, etc.
Escabeche
- In a small saucepan, combine all of the escabeche ingredients except the sliced onion and bring to a boil.
- Add the red onion and stir for about 30 seconds to combine and for the onion to be coated in the vinegar brine. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Store in a container and refrigerate for up to two weeks.
Notes
- Leftover carnitas will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container. Reheat on a baking sheet in a 350ºF oven until warmed through, in a skillet on the stovetop, or in the microwave.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
298kcal
(15%)
Carbohydrates
12g
(4%)
Protein
34g
(68%)
Fat
11g
(17%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Cholesterol
108mg
(36%)
Sodium
873mg
(36%)
Potassium
820mg
(23%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
8g
(16%)
Vitamin A
305IU
(6%)
Vitamin C
15.2mg
(17%)
Calcium
70mg
(7%)
Iron
3.4mg
(19%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 10people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 298 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 298kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 12g | 4% |
| Protein | 34g | 68% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 108mg | 36% |
| Sodium | 873mg | 36% |
| Potassium | 820mg | 17% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 305IU | 6% |
| Vitamin C | 15.2mg | 17% |
| Calcium | 70mg | 7% |
| Iron | 3.4mg | 19% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
48 reviews
Excellent
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