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Mexican Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas (Easy Recipe)

Carnitas slow cooked to perfection! The recipe is perfect for a crowd or stretch this meal out for days and enjoy on tostadas or burritos.

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 100% orange juice
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 6 garlic cloves
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 tablespoons oregano
  • 3/4 teaspoon clove grounded
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2-3 tablespoons oil avocado, vegetable, canola
  • 1/4 of a juiced lime per taco
  • Pico de Gallo
  • 20 corn tortillas

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. 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.
  2. Cover and cook on low heat for 8 hours.
  3. Once tender, move the meat to a platter and shred with two forks.
  4. 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).
  5. Serve with warm corn tortillas, shredded pork, pico de gallo and top with lime juice.

Notes

  • Don't forget to warm your tortillas, warm tortillas taste better with this easy recipe.
  • If you want to save a little time instead of using a skillet to get the crispy edges, you can add the shredded pork to a rimmed baking sheet and pop it under the broiler for a few minutes. Just make sure the pork is in a single layer so that it all gets crispy. 
  • Garnish your carnitas with your favorite toppings, sour cream, salsa, pico, guacamole, red onion, and fresh cilantro all make great toppings.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1g Calories 354kcal (18%) Carbohydrates 14g (5%) Protein 23g (46%) Fat 23g (35%) Saturated Fat 8g (40%) Polyunsaturated Fat 13g Cholesterol 83mg (28%) Sodium 128mg (5%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 1g (2%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 20servings

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.