Best Slow Cooker Carnitas
Slow Cooker Carnitas Recipe – If you’re looking for a flavorful, fuss-free meal, this carnitas recipe is the ticket! Cooked low and slow in your crockpot, the pork becomes fall-apart tender and irresistibly juicy. Perfect for tacos, burritos, or a simple rice bowl, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.
Why We Love This Crockpot Carnitas Recipe
What is it about Mexican cuisine that makes us ravenously woozy with anticipation? I can’t quite put a finger on it, but I can tell you, tender shreds of spicy pork served with cheese, veggies, and warm tortillas always sounds good to me. Always.
We make carnitas as a base recipe for all sorts of Mexican creations. Seriously… you can use a good carnitas recipe in anything from chili, to quesadillas, to nachos, even on pizza. I’ll stop now before I pass out from the thought of a steaming pork carnitas pizza covered in cheese.
Traditional carnitas are made in a dutch oven, but I like to prepare my Best Slow Cooker Carnitas Recipe in the crockpot, so I can start it in the morning and not think about it again until dinner time.
This authentic carnitas recipe will leave you full and curb all your Mexican restaurant cravings!
Ingredients You Need
- Bacon grease – to add extra pork essence
- Onions and garlic – the essentials for deep flavor, make sure to use fresh garlic cloves
- Pork butt – buy one big roast and cut it into large chunks
- Orange juice – this offers sweetness and tang
- Liquid smoke – makes the pork taste like it was cooked on a smoker
- Ground cumin – adds a peppery note
- Ancho chile pepper – the most flavorful chile pepper, but chili powder would work in a pinch
How To Make the Best Slow Cooker Carnitas
- Smear the bacon grease on the bottom of a large slow cooker. Cut the pork into large chunks and place it inside the slow cooker. Then add ALL remaining ingredients around the pork.
- Turn the slow cooker on Low for 8-10 hours, or High for 4-6 hours. Once the pork is fork-tender, use 2 forks to shred the meat into the juices.
- If you like your carnitas crispy on the edges (like it’s served in restaurants) use a slotted spoon to scoop the meat out of the juices and spread in a thin even layer on a baking sheet(s). Place on the upper oven rack and broil for 2-5 minutes, until darker crispy edges form.
- Do not take your eyes off the broiler, you can burn the carnitas quickly. Serve over rice, in tacos with lime juice and pico de gallo, or on top of salads!
Get the Full (Printable) Slow Cooker Carnitas Recipe Below!
Serving Suggestions
This simple “Best Slow Cooker Carnitas” recipe is a must-have in your arsenal of recipes.
We use it most often in “street tacos” with onions, cilantro, and fresh warm puffy tortillas. Es increíble!
Serve this fall-apart tender recipe in a homemade corn tortilla with many different types of toppings like, salsa, black beans or refried beans, guacamole, and pico de gallo.
For dessert after these carnitas tacos, you can always stick with the Latin theme and make a decadent Tres Leches Pie or Tres Leches Cake.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best cut of meat for carnitas is one that had a high-fat content, like pork shoulder (or pork butt). This will help the pork to stay juicy and full of flavor.
Keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
You can also freeze leftover carnitas in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Place in the fridge overnight to defrost before warming up in the oven.
Bacon grease it leftover bacon fat from the skillet. Here in the south we save it for just such occasions! You could also use oil if you prefer.
The orange juice balances the heavier flavors and spices, and the acidity also helps break down the meat to soften it.
Pork Carnitas are high in proteins. If you are worried about the fat content of the pork butt, you can opt for a leaner piece of meat. This recipe is gluten-free and low carb as well.
This is keto-friendly as it is low in carbs, but be careful what you pair with it. Maybe make a cheese wrap and load it with vegetables.
Carnitas is a Mexican version of Southern Pulled Pork. It tends to include more spices, giving it a bolder flavor than pulled pork.
Looking for More Comforting Recipes? Be Sure to Try:
- Slow Cooker Jambalaya
- Spicy Southwest Pumpkin Soup
- Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja
- Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Beef Tenderloin
- Baked Turnip Fries
- Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup
- Taco Mac & Cheese Bundt Cake
- Chicken Chipotle Burritos Bowl Recipe
- Enchiladas Suizas (Creamy Chicken Enchiladas)
- Instant Pot Shredded Pork Carnitas
- Smoked Cheese Dip (Spread) with Sour Cream
- How to make Corn Tortillas
Get the Full (Printable) Slow Cooker Carnitas Recipe Below!
Best Slow Cooker Carnitas
Video
Ingredients
- 4 pounds pork butt roast
- 2 tablespoons bacon grease or oil
- 1 large onion, peeled and chopped
- 5-6 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
- 1 cup orange juice
- 2 teaspoons liquid smoke
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 2 tablespoons ancho chile powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Smear the bacon grease on the bottom of a large slow cooker. Cut the pork into large chunks and place inside the slow cooker. Then add ALL remaining ingredients around the pork.
- Turn the slow cooker on: Low for 8-10 hours, or High for 4-6 hours. Once the pork is fork-tender, use 2 forks to shred the meat into the juices.
- If you like your carnitas crispy on the edges (like it’s served in restaurants) use a slotted spoon to scoop the meat out of the juices and spread in a thin layer on a baking sheet(s). Place on the upper oven rack and broil for 2-5 minutes, until darker crispy edges form. Do not take your eyes off the broiler, you can burn the carnitas quickly. Serve over rice, taco, or on top of salads!
I never try Slow Cooker Carnitas, but after read your article , your recipe and your step , i thought i would like it so much . i will try your recipe soon , Thankyou , Nice Artikel !!
Best carnitas recipe I’ve ever had!