Tender Slow Cooker Carnitas Recipe
This authentic Mexican slow cooker carnitas recipe delivers tender, juicy pork with a perfect blend of citrus and spices. Easy to prepare and perfect for any occasion, it offers melt-in-your-mouth texture with crispy edges.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 to 10 hours (slow cooker low) or 4 to 5 hours (slow cooker high)
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes to 10 hours 15 minutes (low) or 4 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 pounds pork shoulder (pork butt), trimmed of excess fat
- 1 large orange, juiced (keep the spent halves)
- 1 lime, juiced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano (Mexican oregano if available)
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth or water
- 2 bay leaves
- Optional for crisping: 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or lard
Instructions
- Trim any large chunks of excess fat off the pork shoulder and pat dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, combine minced garlic, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper; stir well.
- Rub the spice mix all over the pork shoulder, covering thoroughly.
- Place the seasoned pork in the slow cooker. Squeeze the juice of the orange and lime over the meat, add the spent orange halves and bay leaves.
- Pour the chicken broth around the pork, not over the top.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours until pork is fork-tender and shreddable (internal temperature around 195°F).
- Remove pork from slow cooker and shred with two forks. Discard orange halves and bay leaves. Reserve cooking liquid for moistening if needed.
- Optional: Spread shredded pork on a baking sheet and broil for 5–7 minutes, tossing once halfway through, or crisp in a skillet with 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat until edges are crispy.
- Serve carnitas in warm tortillas with your favorite toppings and enjoy.
Notes
For juicier carnitas, splash reserved cooking juices back onto shredded pork before crisping. Crisping the pork after slow cooking adds authentic texture and flavor. Adjust salt to taste after cooking to avoid over-salting. Use fresh garlic for best flavor. For heat, add cayenne or chipotle powder. This recipe is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free; verify broth and spices for allergens.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 4 oz (113 g) c
- Calories: 280
- Fat: 20
- Protein: 20
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