Description
These Easy Crockpot Carnitas are juicy, crispy, and bursting with flavor — made effortlessly in the slow cooker! Pork shoulder is slow-cooked with citrus, garlic, and spices until fall-apart tender, then crisped up in the oven or skillet for that signature carnitas texture. Perfect for tacos, burritos, nachos, and more, this recipe is a must-have for meal prep or feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
-
3–4 lbs (1.4–1.8 kg) boneless pork shoulder (also called pork butt), trimmed
-
1 tbsp olive oil
-
1 large onion, chopped
-
4 cloves garlic, minced
-
1 tbsp chili powder
-
1 tbsp ground cumin
-
1 tsp dried oregano
-
1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
-
1 tsp salt
-
½ tsp black pepper
-
½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
-
Juice of 2 oranges (about ½ cup)
-
Juice of 1 lime
-
½ cup chicken broth
Instructions
Step 1 – Prep the Pork:
Cut the pork into 4–5 large chunks for even cooking. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 2 – Load the Crockpot:
Place onion, garlic, spices, orange juice, lime juice, and chicken broth in the slow cooker. Add pork pieces and toss to coat.
Step 3 – Slow Cook:
Cover and cook on low for 8–10 hours or high for 4–5 hours, until the pork is fork-tender and shreds easily.
Step 4 – Shred the Meat:
Remove pork and shred with two forks. Skim fat from the juices if desired.
Step 5 – Crisp the Carnitas:
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add shredded pork (in batches if needed) and a few spoonfuls of the cooking liquid. Cook until crispy and golden on the edges, about 4–5 minutes. Alternatively, broil shredded pork on a baking sheet for 5–7 minutes, flipping halfway.
Step 6 – Serve:
Serve hot in tacos, burritos, bowls, or salads with your favorite toppings.
Notes
Use bone-in pork shoulder for added flavor (remove bone after cooking).
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freeze shredded pork in freezer-safe bags for up to 3 months.
Great for taco bars or weekly meal prep.
Add pickled onions, avocado, salsa, or queso fresco for toppings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker / Crockpot
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: crockpot carnitas, pork carnitas, slow cooker pork, shredded pork tacos, Mexican pulled pork, easy carnitas recipe, meal prep carnitas