Go Back
+ servings
This is a picture of pulled pork on a sheet pan. There is plate with 3 small street tacos, each with pulled pork, jalapenos, limes, and cilantro. A hand is holding up one of the tacos.
Print Recipe
5 from 12 votes

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

These crispy, tender, and juicy pork carnitas are delicious! What's even better is how easy this recipe is to make.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time8 hours
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: pork, pork carnitas, slow cooker
Servings: 6
Calories: 339kcal
Author: Jordan Smith

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker
  • oven
  • baking sheet

Ingredients

THE PORK

  • 4 lb pork shoulder skinless, boneless
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 1 jalapeno deseeded, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 oranges juiced
  • 2 limes juiced

THE RUB

  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

TO COOK:

  • Rinse and dry the pork shoulder. To do this, take the pork out of the packaging and use paper towels to soak up all the excess liquid.
  • Combine the rub ingredients into a small bowl. Use your hands to add the rub all over the pork.
  • Place the pork in the slow cooker (fat cap up). Top the pork with the onion, jalapeño, garlic, and juice of the oranges and limes.
  • Slow cook the pork on low for about 7-8 hours or until done. The pork should be tender enough to shred.
  • Remove the pork from the slow cooker and let it cool so you can shred using two forks.
  • Keep the liquid so it can be used to season the pork! You can use a slotted spoon to remove the fat from the liquid (optional).

TO CRISP:

  • Once the pork is shredded, spread it out on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
  • Use some of the juices you set aside in the slow cooker and pour about 1 cup of the liquid over the pork.
  • Broil in the oven for about 5-10 minutes on high heat until the meat becomes crispy on the edges and looked golden brown.

TO SERVE:

  • Serve on tortillas with extra jalapeños, limes, onions, or whatever you like best!
TO STORE:
  • Add the extra juices to the meat when storing for extra flavor. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Notes

  • Nutrition information for meat only!

Nutrition

Calories: 339kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 124mg | Sodium: 919mg | Potassium: 798mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 297IU | Vitamin C: 36mg | Calcium: 69mg | Iron: 3mg