Pork Carnitas

5 from 2 votes

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas will be your new favorite weeknight meal! This carnitas recipe is easy to throw together and has the best flavor. It is the perfect dinner recipe to come home to.

Prep Time15

Cook Time8

Roasting Time15

Total Time8 30

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: crockpot recipes, pulled pork, slow cooker

Servings: servings

Calories: 545kcal

Author: Lisa Longley

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 pound pork shoulder cut into 4 large pieces
3 tablespoons kosher salt
2 cups low sodium chicken broth (see note)
1 small yellow onion diced
6 garlic cloves minced
3 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Instructions

Heat the oil in a heavy bottomed dutch oven.
Season the pork with the salt, and brown it in the hot oil, making sure to get each side of the pork and working in batches as necessary.
In the bottom of a slow cooker, combine chicken broth, oniong, garlic, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, and oregano.
Add the pork to the bottom of the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or until the pork falls apart easily with a fork. Remove from the slow cooker and shred with two forks.
Optional step: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Add the shredded meat. Roast the meat for 15 to 30 minutes or until it reaches desired level of crispiness.
Use the liquid from the slow cooker to moisten the meat as needed. Serve as tacos, topped with onions and cilantro or pico de gallo.

Notes

If you don't use low sodium chicken broth, you will want to cut back the amount of salt you coat the pork in to 2 tablespoons.

Nutrition