Succulent Slow-Cooked Crock Pot Carnitas
Indulge in the rich flavors of Slow-Cooked Crock Pot Carnitas, where tender pork is infused with zesty citrus and aromatic spices. This easy-to-make dish transforms your family dinners or taco nights into a flavorful fiesta. Simply shred the meat after cooking and serve it in warm tortillas or over rice for an unforgettable meal that everyone will love.
- Author: Jennifer
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
- 3 lb pork shoulder, trimmed and cut into large chunks
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp dried Mexican oregano
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Trim excess fat from the pork shoulder and cut it into large chunks.
- In a skillet, sauté chopped onions in oil until translucent, then add minced garlic until fragrant.
- Stir in oregano and cumin until aromatic (about 1 minute).
- Place pork chunks in a crock pot with sautéed onions and garlic. Add orange juice, lime juice, bay leaves, salt, and pepper.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
- Shred the meat with two forks right inside the pot before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 oz (113g)
- Calories: 239
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 85 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: For added depth of flavor, sear the pork before placing it in the slow cooker. Experiment with smoked paprika or chipotle for a spicy kick! For storage, keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.