Craving a flavorful, tender, and juicy dish that will impress everyone at the table? Look no further than slow-cooked pork carnitas!

This mouthwatering Mexican classic is packed with savory spices, citrusy zest, and melt-in-your-mouth meat, making it perfect for tacos, burritos, or even as a delicious filling for a savory bowl.

The best part? It’s made effortlessly in a slow cooker, letting the flavors develop slowly while you go about your day.

Ingredients List

For the Pork Carnitas

1 (4-pound) pork shoulder (also called pork butt or Boston butt)
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 orange, juiced
3 limes, juiced
Nonstick cooking spray (for slow cooker)

Required Kitchen Tools

To make this flavorful dish in your slow cooker, here are the tools you will need:

Slow Cooker: The key tool in making carnitas, a slow cooker ensures the pork gets incredibly tender and juicy.
Tongs or Two Forks: These are essential for shredding the cooked pork shoulder to perfection.
Citrus Juicer: For extracting the juice from the orange and limes to add fresh and tangy flavor to the carnitas.
Rimmed Baking Sheet: Needed for broiling the shredded pork to get that crispy, caramelized outer layer that gives carnitas its signature texture.
Measuring Spoons: To measure the spices and seasonings accurately for perfect seasoning.

These tools will make your carnitas cooking process smooth and efficient, ensuring your dish comes out perfectly every time.

Preparing the Pork Carnitas

Now that you have all your ingredients and tools ready, it’s time to prepare the pork and let the slow cooker do its magic. The process is simple but will yield such rich flavors that everyone will be asking for the recipe!

Making the Rub

Start by creating the seasoning rub for the pork. In a small bowl, combine:

2 1/2 teaspoons of salt
1 teaspoon of black pepper
2 teaspoons of ground cumin
2 teaspoons of smoked paprika
2 teaspoons of chili powder
2 teaspoons of dried oregano

Mix these ingredients together until fully combined. This spice mixture will form the flavorful base for your carnitas, giving the meat its deliciously aromatic taste.

Coating the Pork Shoulder

Now, take the pork shoulder (about 4 pounds) and pat it dry with paper towels. This will help the seasoning stick better. Rub the spice mix all over the pork, making sure it’s coated evenly. You can use your hands to really work the rub into every nook and cranny of the meat. The spices will infuse the pork with deep, savory flavors as it cooks slowly in the crockpot.

Preparing the Slow Cooker

Before adding the seasoned pork, spray the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. This ensures the meat won’t stick during the cooking process.

Next, place the coarsely chopped onion and minced garlic into the bottom of the slow cooker. These aromatics will add an extra layer of flavor to the pork. Squeeze the juice from the orange and limes directly into the slow cooker, pouring the citrusy juices over the onions and garlic. This will not only tenderize the meat but also infuse it with a zesty, tangy flavor that perfectly complements the spices.

Cooking the Pork in the Slow Cooker

Now that the pork is seasoned and your slow cooker is prepped, it’s time to cook the pork to perfection. Slow cooking allows all the flavors to meld together while keeping the meat incredibly tender and juicy.

Slow Cooking the Pork

Place the seasoned pork shoulder into the slow cooker, on top of the onion, garlic, and citrus juices. Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set the temperature on low for 8 hours. If you’re short on time, you can also set it to high for 4 to 5 hours. The long, slow cooking process is what makes the pork so tender, as the flavors have plenty of time to develop.

As the pork cooks, the meat will release its juices and soak up all the aromatic flavors from the seasonings, garlic, onion, and citrus. The result is incredibly juicy, flavorful pork that just falls apart when you shred it.

Shredding the Pork

Once the cooking time is up, carefully remove the pork from the slow cooker. The meat should be so tender that it practically falls apart on its own. Use two forks to shred the pork into bite-sized pieces, making sure to discard any excess fat. The shredded pork should be moist and full of flavor from all the juices in the slow cooker.

Returning the Meat to the Slow Cooker

After shredding the pork, return the meat to the slow cooker along with the juices. Stir it all together so that the shredded pork is fully coated with the flavorful liquid. At this point, you can taste the carnitas and add more salt or pepper if needed, adjusting the seasoning to your liking.

Crisping the Carnitas

For that signature crispy texture that makes carnitas so irresistible, broiling is key. This step adds a wonderful contrast to the tender, juicy meat.

Broiling the Shredded Pork

Preheat your oven’s broiler. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup, then spread about half of the shredded pork evenly on the sheet. Place the baking sheet under the broiler and cook the pork for about 3 to 4 minutes or until it starts to crisp up and develop a beautiful golden-brown crust. Keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t burn. Repeat with the second batch of shredded pork.

The broiled pork will now have the perfect crispy edges while retaining its juicy, tender interior. This combination of textures is what makes carnitas so unique!

Serving the Pork Carnitas

Now that your pork is tender, flavorful, and crispy, it’s time to serve it! These pork carnitas are incredibly versatile, and you can enjoy them in a variety of ways:

Tacos: Serve the carnitas in soft corn tortillas with your favorite toppings like cilantro, onions, salsa, and a squeeze of lime.
Burritos or Burrito Bowls: Layer the carnitas with rice, beans, guacamole, and other toppings for a filling meal.
Quesadillas: Add the carnitas to a quesadilla with melted cheese for a delicious, crispy treat.
Salads: Add the carnitas to a fresh salad for a lighter, flavorful option.

Suggested Toppings and Garnishes

To elevate your pork carnitas even more, consider adding some of these toppings:

Fresh cilantro for a burst of herbal flavor.
Diced onions for crunch and tang.
Lime wedges for a fresh, citrusy kick.
Salsa verde or red salsa to add a little heat and extra flavor.

Storage Instructions

How to Keep Pork Carnitas Fresh

If you have leftovers (which is rare!), you can store the carnitas in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat it in a pan over low heat to preserve its juicy texture.

Freezing Pork Carnitas

For longer storage, you can freeze the shredded carnitas. Place the cooled meat in a freezer-safe container or a zip-top bag. It will stay fresh for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply thaw the carnitas overnight in the fridge or reheat it directly from frozen in a skillet for a quick meal.