Crockpot Pork Carnitas Recipe
User Reviews
4.8
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
8 hrs
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Total Time
8 hrs 5 mins
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Servings
4 generous
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Calories
284 kcal
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Cuisine
Mexican
Crockpot Pork Carnitas Recipe
Description
This recipe uses pork butt cooked slowly in a crockpot with orange and lime juice, tomato paste, minced onion and garlic, and seasonings including cumin, chili powder, oregano, and sea salt. The slow cooking on low heat for eight hours makes the pork tender enough to shred easily.
Once shredded, the meat is returned to the sauce and then broiled in a thin layer to develop crispy spots, adding texture contrast to the soft shredded pork. This method highlights the pork’s richness and seasoning while introducing crisp edges.
The carnitas are versatile and can be served in tacos, burritos, sandwiches, or alongside potatoes and salad as a main dish. The combination of tender meat and crispy bits provides satisfying textures and balanced flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 large orange juiced
- 1 lime juiced
- 1 medium onion finely minced
- 3 cloves garlic finely minced
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- ¼ cup water
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 ½ lb. pork butt or pork shoulder or boneless pork ribs
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients, except the pork, in your crockpot and mix them together well. Lay the pork on top and turn your crockpot to low. Cook on low for 8 hours.
- When the pork is tender, gently shred it using 2 forks. Pull the pork against the grain to get long strips of meat. Mix the shredded pork with the sauce in the crockpot.
- Preheat your oven to broil. Transfer the pulled pork to a baking sheet and spread it out so that it's in a thin layer. Broil in the oven for 15-20 minutes, mixing halfway through until the pork is crispy in many spots.
- Remove from the oven and serve on sandwiches, in tacos, burritos, or as a main with some potatoes and salad.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4generous
Amount Per Serving
Calories 284 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 serving = ¼ of the recipe | |
| Calories | 284kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 14g | 5% |
| Protein | 34g | 68% |
| Fat | 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 102mg | 34% |
| Sodium | 542mg | 23% |
| Potassium | 917mg | 20% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 525IU | 11% |
| Vitamin C | 36mg | 40% |
| Calcium | 79mg | 8% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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