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    Slow Cooker Crispy Carnitas

    August 22, 2024

    Time is the secret to perfect crispy, juicy carnitas, which is why carnitas and Crock-Pots are a match made in heaven.

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    Slow Cooker Crispy Carnitas on a pan with a serving spoon

    More of our favorite shredded meats recipes

    Slow Cooker Carnitas (Mexican-Style Pulled Pork)

    Consider carnitas banished from the list of “things I only order at a restaurant because surely it’s too hard to make at home”, thanks to this beautifully easy, slow cooker carnitas recipe. We’ve whittled it down to the basics: a great hunk of meat, cooked low and slow until it’s so tender that it’s falling apart, with irresistibly golden, crispy edges. Perfect for Carnitas Tacos or to serve as-is over Cilantro Lime Rice with a big Mexican Street Corn Salad on the side! For more taco ideas check out our Best Taco Recipes post, and for another riff on pulled pork, try our honey chipotle pulled pork.

    Bay leaves, oregano, Chili powder, cumin, cayenne, salt & pepper, onion, orange, lime, Chicken stock & boneless pork shoulder

    Ingredients for Homemade Carnitas

    • Bay leaves and dried oregano

    • Chili powder, cumin and cayenne pepper

    • Kosher salt and black pepper

    • 1 Yellow onion

    • 1 orange and 1 lime

    • Chicken stock

    • 3 pounds boneless pork shoulder

    Bay leaves, oregano, Chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper, onion, orange, lime, stock and pork in a slow cooker

    What Cut Of Pork Is Used For Carnitas?

    Carnitas are made from pork shoulder, a somewhat tough, but usually inexpensive cut of pork. Pork shoulder is also rather fatty, and that’s a good thing in this case! Pork shoulder needs a long, slow cook in order to tenderize. All that lovely pork fat helps keep everything moist and juicy as it cooks. Occasionally, you’ll see pork shoulder labeled ‘pork butt’ or ‘Boston butt’—if you’re standing there staring confusedly at the meat counter, always feel free to ask the butcher.

    Bay leaves, oregano, Chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, onion, orange, lime, stock and pork cooked in a slow cooker

    How to Make These Easy Carnitas:

    All things “set it and forget it” and “leftovers for days” are our BFFs. Helloooo slow cooker carnitas! They’re as easy as:

    1. Purchase a pork shoulder.

    2. Nestle it into your slow cooker with aromatics, spices and some citrus juice.

    3. Turn the slow cooker on.

    4. Walk away for a few hours. Put your feet up! (or, more likely, get a whole bunch of other things done.)

    5. Realize it’s 5:15 and nothing is on the stove. Feel extremely relieved when you remember that dinner is magically done, and that it’s something everyone will love.

    6. Serve with: Fresh Restaurant Style Salsa, Perfect Guacamole on Homemade Corn Tortillas.

    7. Feast! For days! One pork shoulder makes a LOT of carnitas.

    hands shredding carnitas on a sheet pan with two forks
    crispy carnitas on a sheet pan with a basting brush

    How to Store Leftovers + Tips

    • Do authentic carnitas recipes use lard? Authentic carnitas would be slowly cooked in lard. We have opted for chicken stock, but we do suggest leaving the fat on the pork shoulder to get plenty of that juicy, pork fat flavor. Any excess fat can easily be removed when you’re shredding that pork after cooking.

    • How do you serve pork carnitas? Mexican-style pulled pork is as versatile as it is mouth-watering. Here are a few ways we love to serve carnitas: On nachos, for breakfast as part of this Carnitas & Sweet Potato Hash, or as an over-the-top addition to these Huevos Rancheros or in a Quesadilla.

    • Store leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month. Thaw and broil on a rimmed baking sheet before serving.

    Slow Cooker Crispy Carnitas on a sheet pan

    More Delicious Pork Recipes

    Slow Cooker Crispy Carnitas on a spoon

    Carnitas For Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner?

    For more recipe inspiration, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest or order our cookbook. We love when you share your meals. Tag us on Instagram using #themodernproper. Happy cooking!

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    Slow Cooker Crispy Carnitas

    Updated on August 22, 2024

    • Serves:  10
    • Prep Time:  15 min
    • Cook Time:  8 hrs
    • Calories:  293
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    Ingredients

    • 2 bay leaves
    • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
    • 2 teaspoons chili powder
    • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
    • 2 teaspoons cumin
    • 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • 1 medium yellow onion, quartered
    • 1 large orange, juiced, rind reserved
    • Juice of 1 lime
    • 2 cups chicken stock
    • 3 pounds boneless pork shoulder, cut into 4-inch pieces

    Method

    1. Preheat the oven to 375°F with a rack in the center position.

    2. In a large Dutch oven, combine the bay leaves, oregano, chili powder, kosher salt, cumin, pepper, cayenne pepper, onion, orange juice and rind, lime juice and chicken stock.

    3. Nestle in the meat, cover, and roast for 2½ to 3 hours or until the pork is very tender and can be pulled apart easily with a fork. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pork to a large baking dish or rimmed sheet pan, discarding any large pieces of fat. Use two forks to shred the pork into 1-inch pieces. Generously brush the meat with reserved liquid.

    4. Turn on the broiler. Broil the shredded meat until the edges are crispy and caramelized, 5-8 minutes. Remove the baking dish from the oven and using a spatula, flip the meat over. Broil for 5 more minutes, or until crispy on top.

    5. Use the carnitas as desired. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 1 month.

    Slow Cooker:

    1. In the bowl of a slow cooker, combine the bay leaves, oregano, chili powder, salt, cumin, pepper, cayenne, onion, orange juice and rind, lime juice, and chicken stock.

    2. Nestle in the meat, cover, and cook on HIGH for 7-8 hours or LOW for 10 hours, or until the pork is very tender and can be pulled apart easily with a fork. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pork to a large baking dish or rimmed sheet pan, discarding any large pieces of fat. Reserve the liquid in the slow cooker.

    3. Use two forks to shred the pork into 1-inch pieces. Generously brush the meat with the reserved liquid.

    4. Turn on the broiler. Broil the shredded meat until the edges are crispy and caramelized, 5-8 minutes. Remove the baking dish from the oven and using a spatula, flip the meat over. Broil for 5 more minutes, or until crispy on top.

    5. Use the carnitas as desired. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 1 month.

    Instant Pot:

    1. In the bowl of an Instant Pot, combine the bay leaves, oregano, chili powder, salt, cumin, pepper, cayenne, onion, orange juice and rind, lime juice, and 1 cup chicken stock.

    2. Nestle in the meat, then cover and secure the lid with the valve set to seal. Using the pressure cook setting, cook for 40 minutes. Let the steam release naturally for 10 minutes, then open the valve and manually release the pressure.

    3. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pork to a large baking dish or rimmed sheet pan, discarding any large pieces of fat. Reserve the liquid in the Instant Pot. Use two forks to shred the pork into 1-inch pieces. Generously brush the meat with reserved liquid.

    4. Turn on the broiler. Broil the shredded meat until the edges are crispy and caramelized, 5-8 minutes. Remove the baking dish from the oven and using a spatula, flip the meat over. Broil for 5 more minutes, or until crispy on top.

    5. Use the carnitas as desired. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 1 month.

    Nutrition Info

    • Per Serving
    • Amount
    • Calories 293
    • Protein 27 g
    • Carbohydrates 4 g
    • Total Fat 19 g
    • Dietary Fiber 0 g
    • Cholesterol 84 mg
    • sodium 433 mg
    • Total Sugars 2 g

    Slow Cooker Crispy Carnitas

    Questions & Reviews

    Join the discussion below.

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    • Ana

      I don’t have chicken broth handy. Will use water. Is there anything you recommend adding as well?

      if you have some chicken bouillon you can throw that in as well.

    • Liz

      What do you do w/the cooking liquid anything?

      Gnerously brush the meat with it before broiling. Anything left you don't need.

    • Hannah

      Planning to cook extra for a freezer meal. Do you recommend broiling before freezing still? Any specific reheat instructions? Thanks!

      You could do it either way. If you wait to broil you could reheat in the oven on 350 until heated through and then do the broil step. Hope you enjoy Hannah!

    • Noelle

      Hi there! Do we need to adjust the cook time if we're doubling the pork?

      8 on high hours should still be ok.

    • Barbara

      We don’t eat pork. Can I substitute beef or chicken?

      We have a Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef Tacos and a slower cooker chicken taco meat recipes that you could use or if you substitute meat in this specific recipe just make sure you adjust the cook time accordingly.

    • Sherita

      Yummy!

      Thanks Sherita, we are so glad you loved it!

    • Isabelle

      This was the best !! Made pickled red onions along with chipotle sauce and avocado crème sauce, plus home made flour tortillas. It was sooo delicious !! And easy to make which is key.

      Thanks Isabelle, we are so glad you loved it!

    • nj

      Made this last weekend and it was so good!

      Thanks, we are so happy you loved it!

    • Jaclyn

      The best carnitas I've made! So good! I'll forever use this recipe!

      Thanks Jaclyn, we are so glad you loved it! So wonderful to hear it's the best you've made!

    • Mere

      I served this for 10 tonight and it was a crowd pleaser (my kids loved it)! Served with pick-your-own toppings, soft flour and corn tortillas, and yellow rice on the side. Thank you!

      Thanks Mere, so glad it was a hit!