4.9 from 96 votes
Mexican Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas (Easy Recipe)
Mexican Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas use slow-cooked pork shoulder simmered with orange juice, garlic, and warm spices until tender, then shredded and crisped in oil. The shredded meat is served in warm corn tortillas with pico de gallo and lime juice. This method yields juicy, tender pork with crispy edges and classic carnitas flavor, ideal for tacos or other Mexican dishes.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
8 hrs
Total Time
8 hrs 10 mins
Servings:
20
servings
Calories:
354 kcal
Course:
Others
Cuisine:
Mexican
Ingredients
- 4 pounds pork shoulder
- 3/4 cup orange juice 100%
- 2 cups water
- 2 bay leaf
- 6 garlic cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 tablespoons oregano
- 3/4 teaspoon clove grounded
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 2-3 tablespoons neutral cooking oil avocado, vegetable, canola, generic cooking oil
- 1/4 lime juice of 1 lime per taco
- Pico de Gallo
- 20 corn tortillas
Instructions
- Remove excess fat from the pork shoulder. Season the pork with salt and pepper, and then place in the slow cooker. Poke whole garlic cloves into the meat. Add orange juice. water, bay leaves, cinnamon stick, oregano, and ground cloves.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 8 hours.
- Once tender, move the meat to a platter and shred with two forks.
- In a large skillet heat oil over medium high heat, add the shredded meat (cook in batches) and fry until crispy (one side only so it doesn't dry out).
- Serve with warm corn tortillas, shredded pork, pico de gallo and top with lime juice.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Warm the corn tortillas before serving to enhance flavor and texture.
- To save time, crisp shredded pork under a broiler on a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer instead of using a skillet.
- Suggested garnishes include sour cream, salsa, pico de gallo, guacamole, red onion, and fresh cilantro for added flavor variety.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1g
Calories
354kcal
(18%)
Carbohydrates
14g
(5%)
Protein
23g
(46%)
Fat
23g
(35%)
Saturated Fat
8g
(40%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
13g
(76%)
Cholesterol
83mg
(28%)
Sodium
128mg
(5%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 20 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 354
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1g | |
| Calories | 354kcal | 18% |
| Carbohydrates | 14g | 5% |
| Protein | 23g | 46% |
| Fat | 23g | 35% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 13g | 76% |
| Cholesterol | 83mg | 28% |
| Sodium | 128mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.