Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas Crock Pot Recipe (Mexican Pulled Pork)
Ingredients
- 6-8 lbs pork shoulder)
(or pork butt
- 3 Tbsp taco seasoning mix
- 2 Tbsp chipotle peppers)
(in adobo sauce
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 oranges)
(fresh squeezed, or 1/2 cup orange juice
Directions
- 1
Combine taco seasoning mix, chipotle peppers (diced) and the adobo sauce they are packed, and olive oil in a small bowl. Coat all sides of your pork shoulder with the seasoning mixture.
- 2
Place seasoned pork shoulder portion into your slow cooker and set to low temperature (to cook for 8 hours) or high temperature (to cook for 6 hours). Squeeze fresh oranges or add orange juice directly onto the pork in the slow cooker.
- 3
Cover and cook for 6-8 hours, then remove the pork to a large serving plate or platter and shred. Skim fat from the liquid left in the crock pot and ladle about 1 cup portion (if using about half of your shredded pork) into a bowl for pan frying your cooked pork carnitas meat.
- 4
Heat a large skillet or frying pan to medium high heat and brown the pulled pork, adding the liquid in gradually while cooking. When the liquid has steamed off, add more about a ladle full at a time until the pork carnitas meat is browned and slightly crispy on the ends. Serve immediately and enjoy!
- 5
To store leftover pork carnitas meat, refrigerate in an airtight container with enough of the liquid remaining in the crock pot to cover about an inch of the bottom of the container.
Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas Crock Pot Recipe (Mexican Pulled Pork)
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About this Recipe
Craving melt-in-your-mouth, restaurant-quality carnitas right from your own kitchen? This slow cooker pork carnitas recipe makes it incredibly easy to achieve those succulent, flavorful results perfect for an unforgettable taco night.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe shines by combining the effortless convenience of a slow cooker with a crucial finishing step that elevates humble pork shoulder into something truly special. The extended slow cooking infuses the pork with a rich blend of taco seasoning, smoky chipotle peppers, and bright orange, making it incredibly tender. A quick pan-fry afterward develops those irresistible crispy, caramelized edges that are the hallmark of authentic carnitas.
What you'll get is deeply flavorful, shreddable pork that boasts both tender juiciness and delightful texture. The initial slow cooking ensures the pork is incredibly tender and easy to pull apart, absorbing all the aromatic spices and citrus notes. Finishing it off in a hot pan brings out a beautiful crispiness on the exterior, creating a wonderful contrast to the tender interior. It's a simple process that yields truly superb results, turning a basic weeknight meal into a festive feast.
Customization & Variations
This carnitas recipe is wonderfully adaptable to your pantry. If fresh oranges aren't on hand, feel free to use 1/2 cup of orange juice instead. For those who like a little extra kick, a touch more chipotle peppers in adobo sauce can be added, or scaled back for a milder flavor profile. Experiment with different brands of taco seasoning to find your favorite blend of spices.
Serve these slow cooker pork carnitas as the star of your next taco night, piled high on warm tortillas with your favorite toppings. They're also fantastic in burritos, quesadillas, or as a flavorful protein in a vibrant grain bowl.