Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
Slow cooker pork carnitas are irresistibly tender and packed with bold flavors. Simply season the pork with spices like cumin, oregano, and garlic, then let it cook low and slow until it becomes fall-apart juicy. Once done, shred the meat and you can broil it briefly for crispy edges, then serve in tacos, burritos, or bowls with your favorite toppings!
Servings 8 servings
Calories 321kcal
Ingredients
- 4 lbs boneless pork roast
- 1 Tbsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 2 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup orange juice from two small or one large orange
- ¼ cup lime juice from 2 limes
- 1 onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- tortillas
- any desired toppings like chopped onion, chopped fresh cilantro, avocado, limes, etc.
Instructions
- Add the pork roast to the slow cooker.
- In a small bowl, combine the dried oregano, cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper. Rub the spice mixture on all sides of the roast. Arrange the pork so the fat side up in the slow cooker.
- Add the orange juice and lime juice around the sides of the pork in the slow cooker, so as not to rinse off the spice rub on top of the pork. Add the onion and garlic around the roast in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 5-6 hours, until pork shreds easily.
- Remove the pork from the liquid in the slow cooker. Use two forks to shred the pork, discarding excess fat. I like to mix the pork with a little of the juice.
- You can serve the pork as is. This is how my family likes it. The other way that I love is to crisp it under the broiler. To crisp the pork, spread it out in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil. Add a little of the juices from the slow cooker to the pork, but not too much. Put pork under the broiler in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes, until the edges start to crisp.
- Serve in tortillas with desired toppings.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 321kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 51g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 143mg | Sodium: 699mg | Potassium: 938mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 127IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 2mg