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Home » Recipes » Stovetop and Oven

Pork Carnitas in a Slow Cooker

Published: Aug 23, 2016 | Updated: Aug 2, 2023 | Author: Neena Panicker

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Pork Carnitas

These pork carnitas are terrific and super easy to make because they are made in a slow cooker (crock pot.) And I really like slow cooker recipes that don’t require a lot of frying and prep work before putting the food into the slow cooker. That’s the whole reason I’m using a slow cooker, folks. Because I don’t have time to do the prep work!  Sorry, just one of my pet peeves.  I also like this recipe because it’s great when all my kids are home for dinner.  My son especially, has a voracious appetite and there have been occasions when I haven’t cooked enough food and I have to ration dinner or make something at the last minute!  This recipe yields enough pork carnitas to satisfy everyone’s appetite!

So, you place the pork with spice rub, onions, garlic and liquid into the slow cooker and leave it while you go about your day. Once it’s done cooking it’s just a matter of shredding and crisping up the pork before you put some into a tortilla with your favorite fillings and inhale the taco!  You can make the recipe with any liquid such as orange juice, broth, or beer. My favorites are beer or orange juice.

Pork Carnitas in Bowl

I think these pork carnitas can easily compete with your favorite Mexican restaurant pork carnitas. They’re also a great option for when you have company.  Just set out the pork and fixings and have your guests put together their own tacos.  Give them a try!

Pork Carnitas

Pork Carnitas in a Slow Cooker

This slow cooker pork carnitas recipe is super easy to make and delicious. Just fill a tortilla with the pork and add your favorite taco fillings. You can use the pork carnitas filling to make other Mexican dishes like burritos or quesadillas.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours hours 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 4 hours hours 40 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Author: Paint the Kitchen Red
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Ingredients
  

  • 3 lbs boneless pork shoulder
  • 1 tablespoon oregano
  • 1 tablespoon cumin powder
  • 1 tablespoon coriander powder
  • 2 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper powder
  • 2 teaspoon Mexican chili powder
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 2 tablespoon minced garlic
  • Chopped jalapeno optional
  • ½ cup beer
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Instructions
 

  • Mix together oregano, cumin, coriander, salt, black pepper and chili powder. Rub spice mix all over pork shoulder and place it in the slow cooker.
  • Spread onion, garlic and jalapeno (if using) over the pork and pour beer on top.
  • Cook on low heat for 8 hours or high heat for 4 hours.
  • Carefully remove pork from slow cooker and place on a large plate or shallow bowl and let cool for a few minutes.
  • Using two forks, shred the pork. It should be very tender.
  • Use a large slotted spoon to remove the onion mixture from the liquid in the crock pot and set aside.
  • Heat oil in a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat.
  • Place desired amount of shredded pork and reserved onions in the frying pan and press down gently.
  • Fry the pork mixture until it is crisp on the bottom. Don't flip the meat over, just fry it on one side.
  • Pour 2 to 3 tablespoon of the juices from the crock pot over the meat to moisten the pork.
  • To serve, place pork carnitas in a heated corn tortilla and add your choice of fillings.

Notes

  • Add your choice of fillings: chopped onion, queso fresco (Mexican cheese), shredded cabbage, cilantro, guacamole, salsa, jalapenos.
Course Main Dishes
Cuisine Mexican/Latin
Main Ingredient pork
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Comments

  1. Chelsea says

    March 11, 2018 at 7:02 pm

    5 stars
    I made this today as my first go with the instant pot! It was absolutely delicious and gave me some confidence in my cooking skills! Thanks so much!!

    Reply
    • Paint the Kitchen Red says

      March 12, 2018 at 2:46 pm

      Hi Chelsea – thanks for your comment, I’m so glad you liked it. Enjoy your new Instant Pot!

      Reply
  2. Mikaela says

    December 18, 2016 at 11:43 pm

    Taco Tuesdays are a regular thing around here and carnitas are my favorite!!! I have never tried putting beer in, though! Can you taste it? What kind of beer do you recommend?

    Reply
    • Paint the Kitchen Red says

      December 20, 2016 at 3:54 am

      Hi Mikaela, I just use a lager – pretty mild taste….

      Reply
  3. Erica Schmidt says

    December 18, 2016 at 5:55 pm

    I totally agree with you about some slow cooker recipes, if I have to basically prepare a meal before putting it in there, what’s the point?? I love pork, can’t wait to make this! Pinning for later!

    Reply
    • Paint the Kitchen Red says

      December 20, 2016 at 3:55 am

      I hope you try it and let me know how it turns out. My family loves it! And the leftovers can be used in lunch sandwiches too.

      Reply
5 from 1 vote

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Hi, I'm Neena Panicker, and welcome! I am the creator, photographer, and author of recipes and tips at Paint the Kitchen Red. I live in the glorious west in Salt Lake City, Utah with my family.

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