Description
This Carnitas Crockpot Recipe delivers juicy, tender, and crispy pulled pork with authentic Mexican flavors. Slow-cooked with citrus and spices, then crisped for texture, these carnitas are perfect for tacos, burritos, bowls, and more. A foolproof recipe for taco night, meal prep, or family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 lb pork shoulder (pork butt), skinless and boneless, cut into large chunks
- 2½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 oranges, juiced (about ¾ cup)
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 jalapeño, deseeded and chopped (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for crisping, optional)
Instructions
- Season pork: In a bowl, mix salt, pepper, oregano, and cumin. Rub all over pork chunks.
- Load crockpot: Add pork, onion, garlic, jalapeño, orange juice, and lime juice to the slow cooker. Stir gently.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 10 hours or high for 6–7 hours until fork tender.
- Shred: Remove pork and shred with two forks. Discard excess fat pieces.
- Reduce liquid (optional): Strain juices into a saucepan and simmer 10–15 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Crisp carnitas: Preheat oven to 450°F. Spread pork on a baking sheet, drizzle with reduced juices and olive oil. Roast 10–15 minutes until edges are crispy. Alternatively, sear in a hot skillet for 5–7 minutes.
Notes
- Pork shoulder is the best cut—avoid lean cuts like loin.
- Don’t skip crisping for authentic carnitas texture.
- Season generously to maximize flavor.
- Freeze leftovers with liquid for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 hours (low) or 6–7 hours (high)
- Category: Main Course, Crockpot Recipes
- Method: Slow Cooker, Oven Crisp
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/8 of recipe)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: Carnitas Crockpot, Slow Cooker Carnitas, Mexican Pulled Pork, Crockpot Carnitas Recipes, Carnitas Crockpot Tacos, Mexican Crock Pot Recipes, Carnivore Crock Pot Recipes