Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas - The easiest carnitas you will ever make in the crockpot, cooked low and slow for the most amazing fall-apart tender goodness!

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons salt
    or more, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 4 pound pork shoulder

    excess fat trimmed

  • 4 cloves garlic

    peeled

  • 2 onions

    quartered

  • 2 oranges

    juiced

  • 2 limes

    juiced

Directions

  1. 1

    In a small bowl, combine chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper. Season pork shoulder with spice mixture, rubbing in thoroughly on all sides.

  2. 2

    Place garlic, onions, orange juice, lime juice and seasoned pork shoulder into a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low heat for 8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.

  3. 3

    Remove pork shoulder from the slow cooker and shred the meat before returning to the pot with the juices; season with salt and pepper, to taste, if needed. Cover and keep warm for an additional 30 minutes.

  4. 4

    Preheat oven to broil. Place carnitas onto a baking sheet and broil until crisp and crusted, about 3-4 minutes.

  5. 5

    Serve immediately.

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

5.0(96)

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Based on 96 ratings

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About this Recipe

Dreaming of incredibly tender, flavorful carnitas without hours of work? This slow cooker pork carnitas recipe makes restaurant-quality results effortless, cooking low and slow for that perfect fall-apart texture.The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the magic of low and slow cooking. By gently simmering pork shoulder with a robust blend of chili powder, cumin, and oregano, plus bright citrus juices, you unlock deep, savory flavors. It’s the easiest way to achieve truly fall-apart tender goodness with minimal prep.Prepare your senses for a symphony of savory and zesty notes. The pork shoulder emerges incredibly juicy and succulent, infused with the aromatic spices and tangy brightness from the fresh orange and lime juices. Each bite of these carnitas is wonderfully moist and bursting with a rich, comforting flavor that satisfies. This method ensures consistent tenderness throughout the meat, making it perfect for shredding.While this recipe delivers authentic flavor as is, you can easily personalize the spice level by adjusting the amounts of chili powder, cumin, and oregano to suit your palate. Feel free to tweak the ratio of fresh orange and lime juice for your desired balance of sweetness and tang. For those who enjoy a sharper finish, a final squeeze of fresh lime juice just before serving adds a vibrant kick.These versatile slow cooker pork carnitas are ideal for casual weeknight dinners or feeding a crowd. They shine brightly as the star in tacos, burritos, or served over rice in a vibrant bowl. Pair them with your favorite toppings like salsa, pickled onions, or fresh cilantro for a complete meal.

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