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This slow cooker pork carnitas recipe can be made ahead, freezes well and it’s an easy dinner recipe the whole family will love!
A popular Mexican dish, pork Carnitas go well with just about anything. They are flavorful and tangy – just like good pork should be! And this slow cooker recipe is so easy to make any day of the week for dinner.
I like to eat pork carnitas with rice and beans, in tacos, nachos, quesadillas, sandwiches, on salads and even on omelets. I guess you can say I like to eat it, period!
Since I am on a low carb, almost keto diet, I served carnitas this time with avocados, tomatoes on a romaine lettuce leaf – a healthy taco! And you know what? The crunch from the lettuce gave it an amazing texture!
I also like to serve additional edges of lime with it because I love the combination of lime juice and pork!
What is Pork Carnitas and How To Cook it
Carnitas is a Mexican recipe for braised or roasted pork that is shredded and served in a variety of dishes.
Authentic pork carnitas is deep fried in lard and then slow cooked, but this slow cooker carnitas recipe is healthier and just as good.
You can make it in a pressure cooker or in a slow cooker (crock pot).
For slow cooker carnitas, cook it on low for 8 hrs and finish it off the same way, by roasting it in the oven.
Additionally, you can also make this carnitas recipe entirely in the oven. Add additional liquid (water or broth), cover with foil and bake it until the meat comes apart easily enough to be pulled. Check it every once in a while to see that there is still liquid in the pan and add more if necessary. Then just finish it off uncovered for the same effect.
How and What to Serve With Carnitas
The sky is the limit and as I mentioned above, I like to slow cooker pork carnitas in every way. But here are some Mexican food suggestions that you can use carnitas to change up the menu.
- Enchiladas
- Burritos
- Tacos
- Quesadillas
- Tamales
- Chilaquiles
- Nachos
- Huevos Rancheros
- Tortas
You could serve it with guacamole, tomatoes, mexican corn salad, rice and black beans, etc.
Slow Cooker Carnitas
Ingredients
- 7.5 lbs pork shoulder
- 1 lime juiced
- 1/2 navel orange juiced
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 6 gloves of garlic minced
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp oregano
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 bunch cilantro to serve optional
Instructions
- In a large pan, add olive oil and sear the pork shoulder on all sides. Remove the pork and put it into the slow cooker.
- Distributed all remaining ingredients evenly on top of the pork.
- Cook for 8 hrs in low heat.
- Pull pork apart with two forks and place it in a baking sheet.Taste meat for acidity and drizzle lime juice on top of it if needed. Bake it on 425F until it becomes caramelized. Top it with cilantro and serve.
Nutrition
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This website contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and participant in other programs, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.
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