Pork carnitas have never tasted this good to me. Partly because carnitas are a natural fit for the slow cooker, and partly because I've been eating kale salads for the past couple weeks.
If carnitas are even slightly on your radar it's worth trying out a slow cooker version. The lower temperature of a slow cooker helps keep the carnitas moist and you'll get a batch that will rival anything you can get North of the Border (or even South of the Border).
Pork Carnitas Slow Cooker Recipe
We're starting with a 2 lb. cut of pork shoulder. This cut can be used in a wide range of pulled pork recipes; it's also worth noting that sometimes you'll see pork shoulder referred to as pork butt.
Here's a snapshot of the spices we'll use to give the shoulder a quick massage.
2 teaspoons Mexican oregano (regular oregano is fine)
1 teaspoon cumin
1 tablespoon chipotles in adobo sauce
2 teaspoons salt
freshly cracked black pepper
dollop olive oil
Don't fret if you don't have adobo sauce on hand as it isn't crucial here. You can either omit it or substitute 1-2 teaspoons of chili powder.
Cut off any excess bits of fat and chop the remaining pork into big chunks, approximately 2-3 inches. Thoroughly rub the spices into the chunks of pork while saying Carnitaaaaaaas...
To sear or not to sear, that is the question. Giving these chunks a quick sear in a skillet is commonly done to caramelize the surface and enhance flavor. (Here is some info on searing). But I think one of the advantages of the slow cooker is the ease of use. It's so refreshing to just throw the ingredients in, flip it on, and head out for the day. So I did not sear the pork for this batch but feel free to experiment with that.
As the pork cooks it will release quite a bit of liquid. Flavoring these juices is the key to a vibrant batch of carnitas, so we'll add a host of fresh ingredients that will liven up the liquid and eventually infuse back into the carnitas.
So we're using:
1 orange
1 lime
1 onion
1 jalapeno
4 garlic cloves
Of those ingredients I think the orange is the most important as the citrus undertone works really well in this recipe.
Add the pork, onion, jalapeno, and garlic to the slow cooker and then squeeze as much orange and lime juice onto them as you can. I add the leftover orange pieces to the slow cooker as well but that is optional.
You can cook these carnitas on low for 6-8 hours or on high for approximately 4 hours. I used the high setting for this batch and 4 hours later here's what they looked like:
Tender, fall-apart pork swimming in a citrus pool of goodness. Carnitaaaaaaaas...
It seems like the best way to know they're done is to pull one of the pork pieces apart. If fully cooked inside and nearly falling open on its own then you are close to chowtime.
Remove the orange pieces and any other big veggie chunks you don't want in there, and then shred the pork using two forks or a spatula. It will pull apart easily so you can do this directly in the slow cooker if you want.
And now the crucial step: taste for salt level. Pork is hypersensitive to salt amount so it's worth taking a taste here to confirm it's properly seasoned. If not, add a bit more; it's amazing how much this can enhance the flavor.
It's already delicious at this point and very tempting to just start gobbling it up, but it's worth giving it another 10-15 minutes in the slow cooker to let the juices infuse a bit more into the shredded pieces.
Okay, one last decision to make. Carnitas are frequently served crispy, or at least partially crispy. While not required, there are two easy methods to accomplish this. First, you can add them to a hot skillet with a thin layer of oil and cook them until the juices evaporate and they crisp up on one side. Or you can put them under the broiler in your oven for five minutes or so.
Either method will work. I put these under the broiler for about 3-4 minutes before getting hangry and pulling them out.
Okay, now you've got a batch of vibrant carnitas that can be used in wide range of dishes...
But there is one combo above all the others that is worth trying if you've never had it: carnitas tacos loaded with Salsa Verde, raw onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
The best combos always seem to be the simplest and this one is no exception; it's easily one of the most rewarding taco combos I've ever had.
If you made the effort to make these carnitas I think it's worth it to make a homemade batch of salsa. Tomatillos are a natural partner for pork so I guess it's no surprise that they work so well with these carnitas.
Here is the easiest way to whip up a batch of Salsa Verde.
I'll put details in the recipe box below (or here), but basically you are just roasting the tomatillos and combining everything in a blender. It's super easy and a freshly made Salsa Verde makes these carnitas tacos a homemade meal that you'll return to again and again.
And don't forget one last squeeze of lime. A burst of citrus acidity is the perfect final touch for these carnitas.
This batch will easily serve 5-6 hungry people if not more, so you'll probably have leftovers. I think they keep best if swimming in the juices, so be sure to keep those. For example, I only crisped up half of this batch and stored the other half in the juices in an airtight container in the fridge. That would probably be conducive to freezing too but I haven't tried that with this recipe yet. (You can also use the leftovers to make a mind-blowing Mexican Cuban Sandwich.)
Okay, enough chatting. Feel free to use the comments section below if you have any questions, but now it's time to eat some Carnitaaaaaaaaaaas....
Buen Provecho.
Pork Carnitas Slow Cooker Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. pork shoulder
- 1 onion
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 jalapeno
- 1 orange
- 1 lime
- 2 teaspoons Mexican oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon chipotles in adobo sauce
- 2 teaspoons salt
- freshly cracked pepper
- olive oil
For the tacos:
- 12-16 corn tortillas
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- finely chopped cilantro
- 3-4 limes
For the Salsa Verde:
- 4 tomatillos
- 1/2 onion
- 1 garlic clove
- 10-15 sprigs cilantro
- 1 serrano pepper (jalapeno is fine too)
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl combine the spice rub ingredients: 2 teaspoons oregano, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 tablespoon adobo sauce, 2 teaspoons salt, freshly cracked pepper, and a dollop of olive oil.
- Trim off any excess fat from the pork shoulder and chop it into large chunks, approximately 2-3 inches wide. Add to the mixing bowl and thoroughly rub the spices into the pork chunks.
- Add the pork to the slow cooker, along with a roughly chopped onion, 4 peeled garlic cloves, and a jalapeno. Squeeze as much orange and lime juice into the slow cooker as you can. I add the leftover orange pieces to the slow cooker but this is optional.
- Cook for 6-8 hours on low, or approximately 4 hours on high. When the meat pulls apart easily and is fully cooked on the inside it is done.
- Remove any large veggie pieces and shred the pork pieces using two forks or a spatula. Taste for salt level and add additional salt if necessary (very important!). Let the shredded pieces cook for another 10-15 minutes in the slow cooker so the juices can infuse into the shredded meat.
- To crisp up the carnitas, you can either cook them in a skillet over medium-high heat with a bit of oil until the juices evaporate and one side crisps up, or you can cook them under the broiler in the oven for 5 minutes or so.
- To make pork carnitas tacos, warm up 12-16 corn tortillas. Each tortilla gets carnitas, Salsa Verde, finely chopped onion, cilantro, and a final squeeze of lime.
- To make Salsa Verde, pull the husks off the tomatillos and give them a good rinse. Cut the stems out of the tomatillos. Roast the tomatillos in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until they start to turn army green. Add tomatillos to a blender along with 1/2 onion, 1 garlic clove, 10-15 sprigs cilantro, and 1/2 of the serrano pepper. Pulse blend and taste for heat level, adding more serrano if necessary.
- Store leftover carnitas in their juices in an airtight container in the fridge.
Notes
Update: here's a Carnitas recipe using the oven.
We also use pork shoulder to make some heavenly Chili Verde.
And our latest recipe is for these Barbacoa Beef Burritos.
Still hungry?!
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Erin
Hi Patrick, I noticed in your other carnitas recipe you suggest brining the pork in saltwater prior to cooking, do you recommend doing that in the slow cooker version as well?
Thank you, Erin
Patrick
Hey Erin! Yeah you could if you have time and you'll probably get a bump in flavor, but I think the true advantage of the slow cooker is being able to just toss everything in and step away 🙂 So I'm in the habit of not brining for this slow cooker version. Cheers.
Melody
Absolutely loved this recipe and couldn't get enough of it, it was so delicous. The only change I made was to char the meat before putting it into the slow cooked, to help add to the crispness later. It was so good I can't imagine what it like without charing it. Keep the recipess coming, I love them. Tonight we are trying your beef barbacoa . . . can hardly wait till dinner . .
Patrick
Thanks much Melody, so glad this one is a hit for you! Cheers.
paula stack
If I may make one suggestion to make your recipe over the top! Use Bone in pork such as country style spare ribs along with the pork but. Shoulder can also be used. Remove the fat back, score and cook with the shoulder or (and) butt. This allows the fat back to render out. and adds to the great flavor! Try it!
Patrick
Hey thanks much for mentioning this Paula! I hope to try that at some point as I'm sure it amps up the flavor. Cheers.
Jeffrey
Hi Patrick! Thanks for this amazing recipe! The ingredients and instructions are on point. Really loved my carnitas with some chopped onion, cilantro and a splash of lime juice on a homemade corn tortilla.
Patrick
Hey thanks Jeffrey, so glad you found this recipe! Cheers.
Elayne
I have made this many times and love it every time. I use a whole butt ( double the recipe ) and trim all the fat so I can render my own lard. Because we can only seem to get navel oranges here, I up the lime and add a lemon to get more acid ( add the rinds too ). The Yucatan has sour oranges. This freezes very well so I can get out as much as I need at any craving time. I am addicted to this wonderful flavor.
Patrick
Hey thanks much for these notes Elayne, good to know it's freezing well for you as I have been getting some questions about that. Cheers.
Allison
Hi! How many lbs meat would you use for 4 adults, healthy appetites?
Thanks!
Patrick
Hi Allison! You'll have leftovers if you use 2 lbs. as written but I think I would just stick with the original recipe as it will get you in the right ballpark. Cheers.
Brendan
Hi Patrick,
This looks amazing! Going to give it a try this weekend. One question I did have, though. You normally say that you wouldn't substitute standard oregano for mexican oregano in recipes, but would rather just leave the mexican oregano out. Why do you say that you can substitute standard oregano for this one? Is it because of the large amount of citrus that will be able to give the citrus taste that mexican oregano has over standard?
Thanks for the help!
Patrick
Hey Brendan! Yeah mostly because the Mexican oregano is a minor player in this dish and you'll be getting most of the flavor from the juices the pork simmers in. But in a dish like Chili Verde where the flavor of Mexican oregano is at the forefront then I am more likely to just omit the oregano if I don't have the Mexican variety around.
I've become a huge fan of the Mexican variety and I'm always trying to get people to go buy some, but in this dish it won't affect the final flavor too much.
Brendan
This makes sense, thanks! Mexican oregano is even more elusive than tomatillos here in Australia! I'm going to give this a go with the standard oregano but may add a dash of ground coriander to brighten it up a bit. Will let you know how it goes!
Patrick
Ok cheers, hope it comes out tasty for you! Don't forget to give the pork a final simmer in the juices once you shred it as this makes a huge difference in the final flavor.
Brendan
This was an absolute hit when I made it! Bonus points for making my apartment smell incredible all day long while slow cooking it. Thanks for the recipe, patrick!
Patrick
Oh great thanks for letting me know Brendan. Glad it was a hit!
Resa
Made the carnitas and salsa verde last night. Absolutely delicious, crave worthy, and pretty simple method. Thank you for inspiring me to make something new at home. Cheers!
Patrick
Thanks Resa! So glad the carnitas were a hit -- it's been a couple months since I've had these and I'm now officially craving them doh!
Susan Kara
This recipe was fantastic; used smoked paprika instead of chipotles (not a fan) and it was awesome. Had leftovers in burritos with side of rice and Charro Beans (your recipe) and the meal was fantastic. Thank you so much for sharing recipes that can be used by the home cook who wants to eat like a local!
Patrick
Awesome Susan I'm glad you found this Carnitas recipe. Been awhile since I've made this one and now officially craving it -- especially with some Charro Beans yowsa!
Martin
Thanks for the recipe. We made tacos with wild boar carnitas and salsa verde in Germany. Usually we bring once or twice a year masa and chilis from the US. Today, our local farmer offered tomatillos which is extremely seldom here. Please see our photos https://instagram.com/p/BXbLoINDNU7/
Patrick
Wild boar carnitas! Awesome Martin thanks for sharing the pics, they look great. Hope you guys enjoyed them 🙂