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    Home » Recipes » 4 Ways to Make Pork Carnitas

    4 Ways to Make Pork Carnitas

    Last Updated June 26, 2019. Originally Posted June 12, 2019 By Maggie Unzueta

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Pork Carnitas tacos are full of flavor and easy to make. Tender meat slow cooked for hours, then broiled to crispy, delicious goodness. Add salsa and enjoy!
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas is an easy recipe that involves minimal work and lots of flavor. This Mexican food classic is perfect for entertaining or busy weeknights. Serve with warm tortillas and salsa. by Mama Maggie's Kitchen

    Carnitas taco over a sheet pan full of cooked carnitas.

    What is Carnitas?


    Carnitas is one of the most traditional Mexican food recipes. It is made of tender pork meat that has been slow cooked for hours. Then fried to become crispy.

    It is usually served with tortillas to make Carnitas Tacos. Top with your favorite salsa, cilantro, and chopped onions. It’s mouthwatering good!

    • Spanish: Carnitas de Puerco
    • English: Pork Carnitas

    Once on my family’s ranch in Durango, Mexico, a pig was killed. Carnitas were made in a large copper pot called “Cazo de Cobre.” (AFFILIATE)

    No gas stoves or fancy ovens. Underneath the “cazo,” there was a flame fired by wood. Those were the BEST carnitas tacos ever!

    Orange tree with oranges ready for picking.

    How to Make Carnitas de Puerco

    There are 4 ways to make Carnitas – Slow Cooker, Instant Pot, Stovetop, Oven. Keep scrolling to see all 4 ways!

    My favorite way to make carnitas is in the slow cooker. Slow Cooker Carnitas, or Crock Pot Carnitas, if you will.

    I’m making an authentic carnitas recipe, but the recipe and pictures show the slow cooker version which saves tons of time and still incredibly tasty.

    See picture above.

    My next door neighbor has an orange tree, and it’s blooming. You should smell it!

    Orange blossoms have this soft, sweet scent. Love it! I grabbed a few oranges, brushed off the ol’ crock pot, and decided to make Carnitas de Puerco.

    Pork roast in a black crock pot.

    There’s something about citrus that enhances the delicious Carnitas de Puerco flavor. Pork and oranges. What a great combination!

    Oooh, and let’s not forget freshly squeezed orange juice…. Yummm!! Orange Chicken has nothin’ on this Orange Pork.


    Oranges cut in half on a cutting board.

    For an authentic carnitas recipe lard is used. I’m not using lard because I like to be heart healthy when I can.

    If you want to elevate this dish, go for it! To each their own…

    • Add orange juice, garlic, oregano, bay leaf, salt, pepper, and pork.
    • Set the slow cooker on high for 4 hours, or low for 8 hours.
    • Cover the cooked pork with aluminum foil.
    • Let it cool slightly before chopping it up into pieces.

    The meat will be tender, juicy, and falling off the bone.

    Don’t worry about getting it cold. We are going to warm it back up in the oven.

    Note: Keep scrolling. I’ve provided you with an the Stovetop Carnitas, Instant Pot Carnitas recipe, and a Stovetop Carnitas recipe below.

    Cooked pork on a cutting board.

    For Oven Carnitas:

    • Simply put the pork meat and all the ingredients in an oven 350 degree F for 2 hours.
    • Shred the meat once it’s cooked, and place on a cookie sheet.
    • Continue with the recipe on Step 5.

    Note: If the meat looks dry, add 1/2 cup chicken broth.

    This Oven Carnitas recipe is great, but you can’t go anywhere when the oven is on.

    You also have to be careful that the meat does NOT burn.

    Chopped cooked pork on a cookie sheet.

    Instant Pot Carnitas Recipe:

    • Press the “Saute” button.
    • Add 2 tablespoons oil. Season the pork with salt and pepper.
    • Sear the meat. Do this in batches so as not to overcrowd the pot.
    • Once you have a good sear on the pork, press Cancel.
    • Pour the remaining ingredients over the pork, mix well, and close the lid.
    • Set vent to “Sealing.”
    • Press “High Pressure,” set timer to “30 minutes.”
    • Once the cycle is complete, release the valve to “Venting” for full natural release. About 15 minutes.
    • Once meat is done, continue with the recipe on Step 5.

    This truly is the quickest and easiest way to make carnitas.

    Metal spatula on top of crispy pork carnitas on a sheet pan.

    Stovetop Carnitas Recipe:

    • In a large stockpot, heat 2 tablespoon oil.
    • Season pork with salt and pepper.
    • Sear the meat until brown.
    • Add the remaining ingredients. Stir to combine.
    • Cook on low heat for 90 minutes. Check the meat after 1 hour. Add chicken broth, if needed.
    • Once meat is done, continue with the recipe on Step 5.

    Again, be very careful that the meat does not burn. If it looks dry, add 1/2 cup chicken broth.

    These are pork carnitas tacos are going to be porking good. LOL.

    Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas is an easy recipe that involves minimal work and lots of flavor. This Mexican food classic is perfect for entertaining or busy weeknights. Serve with warm tortillas and salsa. by Mama Maggie's Kitchen

    How Long Do Carnitas Last?


    • In the fridge, for up to 5 days.
    • In the freezer, placed in a sealable plastic bag, with all the air removed, up 5 months.

    Do you see why I like entertaining with Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas?

    Pork Carnitas is a true Mexican food classic, but this Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas recipe involves minimal work with the same delicious flavor. Perfect for your next fiesta or busy weeknights.

    For Easy Entertaining: You can make the pork ahead of time. Then place under the broiler when your guest arrive.



    Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas is an easy recipe that involves minimal work and lots of flavor. This Mexican food classic is perfect for entertaining or busy weeknights. Serve with warm tortillas and salsa. by Mama Maggie's Kitchen

    Don’t Forget to Pin This for Later.
    Follow me on Pinterest.

    However you decide to make it, serve with warm tortillas, refried beans, Mexican rice, and your favorite Mexican salsa.

    Just put a fork in the pork and enjoy!

    Did you make this recipe? Please rate the recipe below!

    Carnitas taco

    Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

    Pork Carnitas tacos are full of flavor and easy to make. Tender meat slow cooked for hours, then broiled to crispy, delicious goodness. Add salsa and enjoy!
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 4 hours 4 minutes
    Total Time: 4 hours 14 minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 223kcal
    Author: Maggie Unzueta

    Ingredients

    • 4 lb pork shoulder roast
    • 3 garlic clove finely minced
    • 1 tablespoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • ½ teaspoon whole oregano
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 2 oranges juiced
    • 1 cup water
    • 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon

    Instructions

    • Place everything in the slow cooker.
    • Set the slow cooker on high for 4 hours, or low on 8 hours.
    • Note: You can substitute the water and bouillon for 1 cup chicken broth.
    • When done, remove the meat from the slow cooker.
    • Let cool slightly.
    • Chop the meat into tiny pieces.
    • Spread meat evenly on an ungreased cookie sheet.
    • Put under the broiler for 3-4 minutes, or until meat is crispy.
    • Be careful not to burn.
    • Serve with lime wedges, chiles toreados, warm tortillas, and salsa.
    • Enjoy!

    Notes

    Instant Pot, Stovetop, and Oven instructions in the blog post. 
    It is made of tender pork meat that has been slow cooked for hours. 
    Top with your favorite salsa, cilantro, and chopped onions. It’s mouthwatering good!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 223kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 987mg | Potassium: 540mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 82IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!

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    Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.



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    Filed Under: Mexican, Pork, Recipes

    About Maggie Unzueta

    Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Heather

      July 7, 2019 at 5:18 am

      This looks like a great recipe! I have never tried this before but have to try at least ONE of them.Lol.

      Reply
    2. alexis

      October 16, 2022 at 4:01 pm

      mine came out perfect after 7 hours on low! thank you Mama Maggie for another perfect slow cooker recipe

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        October 17, 2022 at 2:48 pm

        That’s great to hear. Glad you enjoyed this recipe.

        Reply
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