This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.
Look no further than these mouthwatering slow cooker pork carnitas! This recipe for slow cooker pork carnitas is perfect for busy weeknights when you crave a hearty and satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen. By using a slow cooker and Smithfield® All Natural Pork Shoulder, you can ensure that the pork turns out tender, juicy, and bursting with the delicious spices you love.
My husband and I are both working professionals with jam-packed schedules. When we come home from work, we’re often too exhausted to spend hours cooking. That’s why we rely on quick and easy recipes that require minimal effort. One of our all-time favorite slow cooker recipes is this Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas.
This pork carnitas recipe is versatile and can be enjoyed all year round. It also makes fantastic leftovers, so you can savor the flavors for multiple meals. If you’re pressed for time, you can prepare the toppings the night before by storing them in air-tight containers. When you arrive home, you only need to shred the pork, broil it to perfection, and let your family build their tacos. It’s a stress-free dinner option that’s sure to please everyone.
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
To start, you’ll need a pork shoulder or pork butt roast, a tough cut of meat that will become incredibly tender after slow cooking.
The other essential ingredient is a flavorful blend of seasonings, such as chili powder, cumin, oregano, and garlic powder. You can also add some salt, pepper, and a bay leaf for extra depth of flavor. For the liquid, you’ll want to use chicken, vegetable broth, or even water to keep the pork moist while it cooks.
Now, let’s talk about some optional ingredients that will take your pork carnitas to the next level. One of the easiest ways to add flavor is using canned or fresh tomatoes, which will help create a rich and saucy texture. You can also experiment with chili peppers, such as chipotle or ancho, for a smoky and slightly spicy flavor.
A common ingredient that is typically included with pork carnitas is fresh oranges. They provide a tangy and sweet contrast to the savory pork. Other fruits that work well include oranges, limes, and even apples.
Side Dish Ideas to Serve with Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
Along with the mouthwatering pork carnitas, it’s essential to have the perfect sides to accompany your meal. Here are some side dish ideas that will go perfectly with this dish:
- Rice and beans
- Roasted vegetables
- Mexican street corn
- A simple salad
- Refried Beans
- Black Beans
- Mexican Rice
- Cilantro Lime Rice
Lastly, don’t forget to have some corn tortillas on hand to make delicious pork carnitas tacos or quesadillas.
Toppings for Pork Carnitas
There are plenty of options to choose from to customize your pork carnitas. Classic toppings include:
- Lettuce
- Diced tomato
- Cheese
- Pickled onions
- Sour cream
- Grilled pineapple
- Guacamole
- Pico De Gallo
- CIlantro
- Jalapeno
- Salsa
When you have leftovers, don’t let them go to waste! There are plenty of creative and delicious ways to use up any extra pork carnitas you have.
Leftover Pork Carnitas Ideas
When you find yourself with leftover pork carnitas, there’s no need to let them go to waste. Instead, use your creativity and experiment with different ways to enjoy them. Here are a few options:
- Burritos
- Burrito Bowls
- Pork Carnitas Nachos
- Pulled Pork Sandwich
- Pork Carnitas Quesadilla
- Add to your grilled cheese sandwich
- Pork Carnitas Baked Potato
Another idea is to turn your leftovers into a flavorful soup by adding them to chicken or vegetable broth, along with some diced tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers. Top with a dollop of sour cream and some fresh herbs for added flavor.
Commonly Asked Questions
Yes! Leftover pork carnitas can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Simply thaw the pork in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
While you can use pork roast for slow cooking, it may not be as tender as pork shoulder. Pork shoulder has more fat and connective tissue, which breaks down during cooking and helps keep the meat moist and flavorful
While these terms are often used interchangeably, they have some differences. The pork shoulder is a cut of meat that comes from the upper part of the pig’s front leg. Pork roast is a general term that refers to any cut of pork suitable for roasting, while pork butt (also known as pork shoulder butt) is a specific cut of pork from the upper part of the shoulder.
Similar Recipes
If you like this recipe, you will enjoy the recipes below:
- Easy Chicken Taco Boats
- Chicken Chimichangas
- Chicken Fajita Quesadillas
- Taco Bell Copycat Chalupas
- Spanish Rice Crunchwrap Supreme
- Easy Beef Burrito Skillet
Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
- Total Time: 8 hours 40 mins
- Yield: 10–12 1x
Description
Make this Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas and lay out different toppings for your guest or family to serve themselves.
Ingredients
- 3lb Smithfield ® All-Natural Pork Shoulder
- 1 medium onion, sliced into crescent moons
- 4 cloves garlic, diced
- 1 tbsp. Kosher salt
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 2 tsp. Ground Cumin
- 1 tsp. Smoked paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1tsp. Garlic powder
- 1tsp. Chilli powder
- 1 tsp. Dried oregano
- 1 large orange, freshly squeezed
- 1c. Chicken broth
- 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 10–12 small soft tortillas
- Toppings: lettuce, cheese, onions, diced tomatoes, pickled onions
Instructions
- Slice the onion and half moons and place in the bottom of the crockpot. Add the chopped garlic.
- Remove the plastic from the pork shoulder and the net. Season all around the shoulder with salt, pepper, cumin, smoked paprika, onion and garlic powder, chili powder, and dried oregano. Rub the seasonings into the pork shoulder all around.
- Place in the slow cooker, pour the orange juice and chicken broth around the pork shoulder, and turn the slow cooker on low heat. Allow the pork shoulder to cook for 6-8 hours.
- Remove from slow cooker and place on cutting board. Allow the pork to rest for 10 minutes. Use two forks and begin to shred the pork.
- Turn your oven on broil (high).
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spread the shredded pork evenly around the sheet. Place on the top rack in your oven for 3-4 minutes. Just long enough to where they can get somewhat crisp.
- Remove from the oven, lay out your taco toppings, and tell your family that dinner is ready!
- Prep Time: 40 mins
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Mexican
Such a great recipe for fall. You are so right too, fall is the perfect time for slow cooker meals and casseroles.
Love pork carnitas and how versatile they are – one batch can be used in so many different dishes. We usually make ours in a pressure cooker, but the slow cooker seems even easier since I can just let it go all day while I’m at work.
This pork carnitas looks so delicious and really versatile, you could add it to so many dishes! I bet the orange juice adds a nice flavor too, I will have to try this one out!
This slow cooker pork shoulder looks so delicious! I love carnitas and the idea of making a taco bar is brilliant. I don’t use my slow cooker much in summer but I agree with you this is a great meal to make when the weather gets cooler!
Jacqueline Debono recently posted…Spaghetti alla Checca Recipe from Rome
Thanks Jacqueline!
We had this for dinner the other night and it was just perfect!!!
I served it with tacos, sweetcorn salsa and avocado. Just delicious!
Great Claire!!!!! I’m glad you liked it!
We LOVE carnitas at my house! This recipe looks so, so delicious. I am pinning as we speak and definitely making this next week! I like the option of ordering items online and picking them up from Wal-Mart, too! Not being tempted by a thousand other things as I’m looking for the one or two items I went for would be great!
Awesome Sara!
This looks super flavorful and it’s going to be perfect for upcoming game day gatherings this fall! It’s sure to be a hit. Pinning too!
Oooh, I’m so excited that it’s slow cooker season again! (I mean I guess it always is … but still …) This looks so delicious — I love all the bold, fresh flavors and fun topping ideas!
Amy recently posted…Easy Chia Seed Pudding Recipe
Does it get better than carnitas? I always freeze some for later. It’s like the gift that keeps giving!
The only thing better than pork carnitas is a great slow cooker meal! This certainly fits the bill for the upcoming school season. We’re starting so many activities, an easy go to dinner is going to be loved in this house!
This sounds like perfect dinner for my family. I absolutely love all the flavors and spices you used here. Recipe is easy to follow and make. I will definitely give this a try.
Always love a good carnitas recipe and this one looks absolutely delicious!!! Thanks so much for sharing!
This looks perfect for football season!
Lindsay recently posted…Chase Ultimate Rewards: Ultimate Guide on How to Earn & Redeem Them