Pork Carnitas Recipe (Slow Cooker)
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
25 mins
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Cook Time
4 hrs
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Total Time
4 hrs 25 mins
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Servings
4 servings
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Calories
438 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Mexican
Pork Carnitas Recipe (Slow Cooker)
Description
The Pork Carnitas Recipe (Slow Cooker) begins with seasoning and browning chunks of pork shoulder to build flavor. The pork is then cooked with orange and lime juices, their peels, chicken broth, onion, and a blend of chili powder, cumin, oregano, and bay leaf in a slow cooker until fork tender, often taking four to eight hours depending on the setting. This method produces deeply flavored, moist pork infused with the citrus and spices.
After slow cooking, the pork is shredded and spread on a pan, then broiled to crisp the edges with occasional stirring and additional broth to keep it moist. This step adds a desirable contrast between tender meat and crisped bits. The carnitas are served in tortillas with preferred toppings, making an adaptable dish for casual meals.
You can achieve a similar crisp finish by searing shredded pork in oil over high heat or using an air fryer for 4 to 6 minutes at high temperature.
Ingredients
- 3-4 pounds pork shoulder roast boneless
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 1 large onion quartered, or two small
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 large orange navel
- 1 lime
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano dried
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Cut the pork shoulder into large chunks (about 3"). Season with salt and pepper. Heat a large pan and add olive oil. Brown the pork in small batches.
- Using a vegetable peeler, peel 4-5 strips of rind off the oranges and 3 strips off the lime. Juice the oranges and lime.
- Place pork, citrus juices, peels and spices in the slow cooker with chicken broth and onion.
- Cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 8 hours until the pork is fork tender. Discard bay leaf.
- Turn the oven on to broil. Pull the pork into large chunks and place in a single layer on a large pan. Spoon a little bit of juice on top. Broil 4-5 minutes or until crisp. Stir and add a ladle a little bit more broth. Broil an additional 5 minutes.
- Spoon juices from the slow cooker over the pork.
- Serve in tortillas with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- After slow cooking, crisp the shredded pork under a broiler or by searing in a hot pan without stirring for contrast in texture.
- An air fryer can be used to crisp the pork in 4-6 minutes at a high temperature as an alternative method.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 438 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 438 | 22% |
| Carbohydrates | 16g | 5% |
| Protein | 42g | 84% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Cholesterol | 139mg | 46% |
| Sodium | 409mg | 17% |
| Potassium | 999mg | 21% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 765IU | 15% |
| Vitamin C | 55.5mg | 62% |
| Calcium | 100mg | 10% |
| Iron | 3.8mg | 21% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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