Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

15 servings
Adapted from The Kitchn Cookbook: Recipes, Kitchens & Tips to Inspire Your Cooking with a few changes to tone down the spice.

Ingredients

  • boneless pork shoulder)

    (6 to 8 pounds; also called pork butt and boston butt

    1
  • kosher salt
    2 tbsp
  • ground cumin
    1 tbsp
  • freshly ground black pepper
    2 tsp
  • dried oregano
    1 tbsp
  • ground cinnamon
    2 tsp
  • cayenne pepper
    ½ tsp
  • garlic

    smashed

    8 cloves
  • tomato juice
    1 c
  • orange juice
    1 c
  • chipotle hot sauce

    such as tabasco or cholula brands

    2 tbsp

Directions

  1. 1

    Place trimmed pork shoulder in a large slow cooker.

  2. 2

    In a small bowl, stir together salt, cumin, pepper, oregano, cinnamon, and cayenne; rub mixture over pork on all sides. Sprinkle on garlic cloves.

  3. 3

    Whisk tomato juice, orange juice and chipotle hot sauce in a medium bowl and pour over meat. Cook 8 hours on low, or until pork is pull apart tender.

  4. 4

    Let meat cool slightly in cooking liquid before carefully transferring to a large bowl. Shred meat into bite size pieces using two forks.

  5. 5

    Skim fat off of cooking juices and discard (recipe note #3). Stir 1 cup or more of the cooking juices to the meat to moisten. Refrigerate remaining juices for reheating the pork (see note #1) or freeze for another use (see note #2).

  6. 6

    Serve pork immediately or reheated in tacos, on tostadas, in burritos, on salads, and more! (See post for links to my favorite recipes.)

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

495 min15 servings286 cal

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About this Recipe

Craving authentic, melt-in-your-mouth pork carnitas without the fuss? This slow cooker recipe delivers tender, flavorful carnitas perfect for Cinco de Mayo celebrations, feeding a crowd, or meal prepping for a delicious week.

Adapted from The Kitchn Cookbook with a thoughtful adjustment to the spice level, this recipe simplifies traditional carnitas, letting your Crockpot do all the heavy lifting. The combination of citrus juices, aromatic spices like cumin and oregano, and a hint of cinnamon infuses the pork shoulder with incredible depth, making it an easy choice for succulent results.

What to Expect You'll pull apart incredibly tender pork, deeply flavored from hours of slow cooking with a rich blend of tomato juice, bright orange juice, and a subtle kick from chipotle hot sauce and cayenne pepper. The spices, including cumin, oregano, and cinnamon, create a complex, savory profile that's both comforting and exciting. This recipe yields a generous 15 servings, making it ideal for gatherings, and each serving provides 286 calories. Plus, it's naturally Keto and low carb, fitting seamlessly into specific dietary lifestyles.

Customization & Variations If you prefer a bolder heat, feel free to increase the cayenne pepper or chipotle hot sauce to your liking. This recipe is designed to be approachable in spice, but you can always dial it up for those who love an extra kick.

Serving & Context These Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas are a fantastic party food, especially for a festive occasion like Cinco de Mayo. Serve them simply in warm tortillas with your favorite toppings for a memorable main course that truly satisfies.

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