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Easy Crockpot Carnitas Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.3 from 72 reviews
  • Author: Kimberly
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 hours 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Description

This Easy Crockpot Carnitas recipe delivers tender, flavorful Mexican-style shredded pork made effortlessly in a slow cooker. Seasoned with a blend of oregano, cumin, garlic, and fresh orange juice, this dish is perfect for tacos, burritos, or simply enjoying with your favorite sides. The slow cooking process ensures the pork becomes juicy and effortlessly shreddable, soaking up all the vibrant flavors from the spices and citrus.

Ingredients

Meat

  • 2 kg (4 lb) pork shoulder (pork butt), skinless, boneless (or 5 lb/2.5 kg bone-in)

Spices and Seasonings

  • 2 ½ teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 jalapeno, deseeded and chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids

  • ¾ cup fresh orange juice (about 2 oranges)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the spice rub: In a small bowl, combine the dried oregano, ground cumin, and olive oil to make a flavorful spice rub that will coat the pork.
  2. Season the pork: Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels to ensure the rub adheres well. Evenly apply the spice rub all over the meat for maximum flavor.
  3. Arrange in crockpot: Place the seasoned pork shoulder in the crockpot, then sprinkle salt and black pepper evenly over it for additional seasoning.
  4. Add aromatics: Scatter the chopped onion, deseeded and chopped jalapeno, and minced garlic on top of the pork to infuse the meat with aromatic flavors during cooking.
  5. Pour orange juice: Carefully pour the fresh orange juice over the ingredients in the crockpot to add moisture and a subtle citrus tang.
  6. Cook the pork: Cover the crockpot with its lid and cook on low heat for 8-10 hours or on high heat for 4-6 hours. The pork is done when it is tender and can be effortlessly shredded with forks.
  7. Shred and serve: Remove the pork shoulder from the crockpot and shred it finely using two forks. Return the shredded pork to the crockpot to soak up the cooking juices before serving for enhanced flavor and moisture.

Notes

  • For best results, use a well-marbled pork shoulder to ensure the end dish is juicy and flavorful.
  • You can adjust the level of heat by including jalapeno seeds or omitting the jalapeno altogether for a milder version.
  • Leftover carnitas are great for tacos, burritos, salads, or rice bowls and can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
  • If desired, after shredding, you can crisp the carnitas under a broiler or in a hot skillet for a few minutes to add texture.

Find it online: https://slsrecipes.com/easy-crockpot-carnitas-recipe/