Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas are tender, juicy pieces of pork cooked with orange juice, garlic, oregano, cumin, and other simple ingredients, then broiled until crispy. They’re perfect for making carnitas tacos with warm tortillas, salsa, lime, and your favorite toppings.
In my family, carnitas have always been special. I remember carnitas being made on our ranch in Durango, Mexico, in a huge copper pot called a cazo de cobre. The pork cooked over a wood fire, and those carnitas tacos were unforgettable.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe ❤️
- Tender and crispy: The pork cooks until tender, then goes under the broiler to get those crispy edges carnitas are known for.
- Easy to make: The slow cooker does most of the work, so you don’t have to stand over a pot for hours.
- Lots of flavor: Fresh orange juice, garlic, oregano, and cumin give the pork a delicious savory and citrusy flavor.
- Great for tacos: Serve the crispy pork in warm corn tortillas with salsa, onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. Or fill a flour tortilla and make Carnitas Burritos.
-Maggie
How to Make Carnitas de Puerco
- 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.
The meat will be tender, juicy, and easy to pull apart.
- When done, remove the meat from the slow cooker.
- Let cool slightly.
- Chop the meat into tiny pieces.
- Spread the meat evenly on a baking 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.
🙋🏻♀️ Frequently Asked Questions
Pork shoulder, also called pork butt or Boston butt, is ideal for carnitas. It has enough fat and connective tissue to become tender and flavorful during the long cooking time.
Orange juice adds a subtle citrus flavor that pairs especially well with pork. It also adds moisture while the pork cooks.
After the pork is cooked and tender, chop or shred it and spread it on a baking sheet. Broil it for a few minutes until the edges become browned and crispy. Keep a close eye on it because it can burn quickly.
Yes. Place the pork and remaining ingredients in an oven-safe pot and cook at 350°F for about 2 hours, or until the pork is tender. Shred the meat and continue with the recipe as directed.
Yes. Sear the seasoned pork in the Instant Pot, add the remaining ingredients, and cook on high pressure for 30 minutes. Allow a full natural release before continuing with the recipe.
Yes. Traditional carnitas are often cooked in lard, but this slow cooker carnitas recipe does not require lard. The pork cooks until tender in the slow cooker and is then broiled until crispy.
Store cooked carnitas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Yes. Place cooled carnitas in a freezer-safe container or sealable freezer bag, removing as much air as possible. They can be frozen for up to 5 months.
🍴 Serve with These Mexican Side Dishes
- Arroz Mexicano
- Ensalada de Nopales
- Frijoles Charros
- Papas con Rajas
- Ensalada de Coditos
- Frijoles Refritos
These Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas are tender, flavorful, and finished with crispy edges. Serve them in warm tortillas with salsa, lime, cilantro, and onion for an easy dinner everyone will love.
And while this recipe is made in a slow cooker, I’ll always have a soft spot for the carnitas made in that big cazo de cobre on my family’s ranch in Durango. ❤️
Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
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
- 1 bay leaf
- 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 the meat evenly on a baking 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!
mine came out perfect after 7 hours on low! thank you Mama Maggie for another perfect slow cooker recipe
That’s great to hear. Glad you enjoyed this recipe.
This looks like a great recipe! I have never tried this before but have to try at least ONE of them.Lol.
My mom loves pork carnitas! I’ll have to share these recipes with her.
Love all the varying ways. I can’t wait to try them all.
This is a great traditional meal you have here. I honestly think it’s so good and easy to prepare that you won’t get tired preparing and eating it. This is one of my favorites.
I have never tried carnitas before. First time I’ve actually heard of it too. I will definitely give this recipe a try. It looks really good.
I don’t think I’ve ever had pork carnitas before . I will have to give your recipe a try. It certainly looks delicious!
Oh I just made some last night! I experimented with fresh basil…yeah, not my best addition. lol Would have been better as a pork roast, but still good.
I’ve never tried a carnita, but these look amazing! I have to try this out for myself thanks for the recipe.
Yum! Pork carnitas are delicious! I need to pin this so I can make these later.
I’m sure my family would gobble up pork carnitas. We’ve always used steak, but I think I’m going to have to try one of your recipes for a change of pace soon!
I love pork carnitas but have never made them before. I always thought they would be super hard but you make it seem so easy?! I need to try one of your recipes!
The slow cooker makes these Pork Carnitas so easy. They look delicious! I could go for a couple of these right now!
I LOVE carnitas! One of these are SOOO going to happen for the 4th!! YUM
I want to try all of these. I just love pork carnitas! And I also love when I can use my slow cooker.
I really like pork carnitas! I need to try making them with the Instant Pot next time. The orange flavor sounds nice!
I want to try all these different ways to make this. I can’t wait to try your recipe. My mouth is watering.