Tasty Slow Cooker Carnitas Recipe
Are you looking for the perfect slow cooker carnitas recipe? You’ve come to the right place! Slow cooker carnitas are an easy and delicious Mexican dish that’s full of flavor and goodness. Carnitas are perfect for tacos, burritos, and salads. Plus, they’re easy to make and require minimal effort. With this recipe, you’ll have a delicious, flavorful dish that’s sure to please the whole family!
Ingredients
To make slow cooker carnitas, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 2 lbs boneless pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
To make your slow cooker carnitas, simply follow these instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine the orange juice, lime juice, olive oil, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Add the pork cubes and stir until everything is combined and the pork is evenly coated.
- Transfer the pork mixture to your slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-6 hours. The pork should be cooked through and easily shreddable.
- Once the pork is cooked through, shred it with two forks. Add a few tablespoons of the liquid from the slow cooker, if desired, to keep the pork moist and flavorful.
- Transfer the shredded pork to a large skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the pork is slightly crispy and golden brown. This should take about 10 minutes.
- Serve the carnitas warm with your favorite Mexican accompaniments. Enjoy!
Tips for Perfect Carnitas
To ensure the perfect slow cooker carnitas every time, keep these tips in mind:
- Use a pork shoulder with a good amount of fat. This will help keep the carnitas moist and flavorful.
- If you want to add a little extra flavor, you can also add a few sprigs of fresh oregano and/or a few minced garlic cloves when you add the other ingredients to the slow cooker.
- When shredding the pork, use two forks to make sure you get nice, small shreds.
- To get crispy carnitas, make sure to let the pork cook until it’s golden brown and slightly crispy.
- To make the carnitas even more flavorful, you can add a few tablespoons of your favorite salsa or hot sauce.
Serving Suggestions
There are so many ways to serve slow cooker carnitas! Here are a few of our favorite ideas:
- Tacos: Serve the carnitas in warm corn tortillas with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and your favorite toppings. You can also add a dollop of sour cream or guacamole.
- Burritos: Stuff the carnitas into a warm flour tortilla with rice, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese. You can also top it with salsa or hot sauce.
- Salad: Serve the carnitas over a bed of lettuce with tomatoes, cheese, and your favorite salad dressing.
- Nachos: Top your favorite nacho chips with carnitas, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and your favorite toppings. Delicious!
Storage
Leftover carnitas can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply place the carnitas in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook until heated through. You can also reheat the carnitas in the microwave. Enjoy!
Conclusion
Slow cooker carnitas are a delicious and easy Mexican dish that’s sure to please the whole family. With this recipe, you’ll have a flavorful, satisfying meal that’s perfect for tacos, burritos, salads, and more. Plus, it only takes a few minutes of prep time, and the slow cooker does the rest of the work! Give this recipe a try and you won’t be disappointed.