Crock Pot Pork Carnitas

Crock Pot Pork Carnitas

6 servings
Flavorful Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas made with citrus, spices, peppers, and onions for a simple, hands-off family dinner you can use to make tacos, burritos, or serve simply over rice.

Ingredients

  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp chipotle chile powder
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 4 pound pork shoulder roast
  • 1 white onion

    roughly chopped

  • 3 jalapeno peppers

    whole

  • 2 oranges

Directions

  1. 1

    Make the dry rub by combining all of the ingredients and mixing to combine.

  2. 2

    Place the chopped onion and whole jalapeno peppers in the bottom of the crock pot. Squeeze the juice from oranges and place the rinds with the onions and peppers.

  3. 3

    Coat the roast on all sides with the seasoning mixture and pat it in. Place the roast in the crock pot on top of the onions and peppers. Pour the orange juice over the roast.

  4. 4

    Cook on low for 7-9 hours.

  5. 5

    Remove the pork roast and shred it with a fork, removing any fatty areas.

  6. 6

    Preheat oven to 425˚F. Place shredded pork in a thin layer on a large baking sheet. Bake for 6-10 minutes or until the pork edges are crispy to your liking.

  7. 7

    Strain juices and discard onions, jalapeno and orange rind. Spoon juices over pork when serving.

Crock Pot Pork Carnitas

Crock Pot Pork Carnitas

490 min6 servings

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About this Recipe

Dreaming of succulent, tender pork carnitas that practically melts in your mouth? This Crock Pot Pork Carnitas recipe delivers authentic, deep flavors with minimal effort, making it the perfect hands-off meal for any night of the week.

This recipe truly works its magic by leveraging the slow cooker. The pork shoulder roast bathes in a fragrant blend of ground cumin, chipotle chile powder, dried oregano, garlic powder, and onion powder, alongside fresh oranges, white onion, and whole jalapeño peppers. This low-and-slow cooking method ensures every shred of pork is incredibly tender and infused with rich, savory, and subtly zesty notes.

Expect a deeply flavorful and aromatic experience with every bite. The long cooking time transforms the pork shoulder into fall-apart tender shreds, imbued with a complex blend of earthy spices, a hint of smokiness from the chipotle, and a bright tang from the oranges. The white onion and whole jalapeño peppers contribute aromatic depth without overpowering the dish. The resulting carnitas are juicy, savory, and versatile, ready to be enjoyed in numerous ways.

While this Crock Pot Pork Carnitas recipe is perfect as is, its versatility shines in how you serve it. Create classic street tacos with warm tortillas and your favorite toppings, build hearty burritos, or simply serve the flavorful pork over a bed of rice for a satisfying meal. For an extra pop of freshness, a squeeze of fresh lime juice or a sprinkle of cilantro upon serving are always welcome.

This versatile pork is ideal for a casual family dinner, game day spread, or any occasion where you need a comforting, flavor-packed meal that largely takes care of itself.

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