4.8 from 594 votes
Pork Carnitas (Mexican Slow Cooker Pulled Pork)
Crispy Pork Carnitas (Mexican Slow Cooked Pulled Pork) is a winner! The closest recipe to authentic Mexican Carnitas (NO LARD), with a perfect crisp finish!
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 hrs
Total Time
10 hrs 10 mins
Servings: 12
Calories: 233 kcal
Course:
Dinner
Cuisine:
Mexican
Ingredients
Carnitas
- 4 pounds boneless pork butt skinless, or shoulder
- 3-4 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano or Mexican oregano
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 large brown or white onion, cut into wedges
- 8 cloves garlic smashed
- 2 limes juiced
- 2 large oranges juiced, or ¾ cup natural orange juice
- ¾ cup Coke original or Mexican coke is ideal
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions
- Rinse and pat dry pork with a paper towel.
- In the bowl of a 6-quart slow cooker, add pork, salt, pepper, oregano, cumin, onion, garlic, lime juice, orange juice, coke, and bay leaves.
- Cover and cook on low heat setting for 8-10 hours, or high heat for 5-6 hours (until the meat falls apart).
- Remove pork and shred with two forks (DO NOT DISCARD THE LIQUID!)
Cup of Yum
TO CRISP IN THE OVEN:
- Transfer the pork to a baking sheet lightly sprayed with cooking oil spray (or lined with aluminium foil or parchment paper).
- Pour 1 ladle full (about 1 cup) of the liquid from the slow cooker over the pork to season. Broil for 5-10 minutes on high heat until the meat becomes golden browned and crispy on the edges.
TO CRISP ON STOVE:
- Heat about 1 tablespoon of oil in a non stick pan or cast iron skillet over high heat. When pan is hot, add pork in batches of two or three, and sear until just beginning to crisp. Ladle over about ½ cup of left over liquid, and continue cooking until the juices begin to reduce down and the meat is nice and crispy!
TO SERVE:
- Season with a little extra salt and pepper if desired. Pour over more of the slow cooker juices once the meat has crisped for added flavour, just before serving! Serve in Tacos, Burritos, or in a salad!
Notes
- *Coke with cane sugar instead of corn syrup is ideal, however you can use any coke. Alternatively, substitute with chicken broth (chicken stock).*If you don't like the sound of this particular carnitas recipe, try my tomato based crispy pulled pork!
Nutrition Information
Calories
233kcal
(12%)
Carbohydrates
8g
(3%)
Protein
29g
(58%)
Fat
9g
(14%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
4g
Trans Fat
0.1g
Cholesterol
91mg
(30%)
Sodium
682mg
(28%)
Potassium
618mg
(18%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Vitamin A
90IU
(2%)
Vitamin C
21mg
(23%)
Calcium
56mg
(6%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 233
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 233kcal | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 8g | 3% |
| Protein | 29g | 58% |
| Fat | 9g | 14% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 91mg | 30% |
| Sodium | 682mg | 28% |
| Potassium | 618mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 90IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 21mg | 23% |
| Calcium | 56mg | 6% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.