The *Real Deal* Slow Cooker Carnitas (Oven or Instant Pot Options!)

Craving authentic Mexican carnitas? This slow cooker recipe delivers fall-apart tender, crispy pork every time! Get my tips for the BEST pork carnitas recipe.

June 8, 2025
By Sandra.

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Recipe Introduction

Ever wondered how to get that authentic Mexican street food vibe at home? This carnitas recipe is it . Think tender, juicy pork with crispy edges. Honestly, it's a game-changer.

Mexican Carnitas Recipe : Your Ticket to Flavor Town

Carnitas , meaning "little meats," are a traditional dish from michoacán, mexico. it is a very traditional mexican pork carnitas .

It's surprisingly easy to make, mostly hands-off, and takes around 4- 8 hours depending on your chosen method. this pork carnitas recipe makes 6-8 servings, perfect for a fiesta.

Why You'll Love This Mexican Pork Recipe

This isn't just any pork carnitas recipe ; it's packed with flavor. you also can try using pork carnitas slow cooker .

Pork shoulder is an excellent source of protein and collagen. serve it at your next taco night or cinco de mayo bash.

I really think what sets this recipe apart is the combo of savory pork and sweet citrus. you know?

We're using simple ingredients to build a flavor bomb. The carnitas meat is cooked low and slow, then crisped to perfection.

From My Kitchen to Yours

I remember the first time i tried making carnitas. oh my gosh, it was a disaster! the pork was dry and bland.

This recipe avoids all those pitfalls. get ready to dive into the ingredients and start your own journey to making a top quality mexican pork dish.

Alright, let's dive into what you need for this killer carnitas recipe . Trust me, you want to get this right. It's like building a house; the foundation matters.

Ingredients & Equipment

Main Ingredients: The Porky Heart of the Matter

For the perfect mexican carnitas recipe , you absolutely must start with the right ingredients. we're talking 3-4 lbs (1.

4-1.8 kg) of pork shoulder. seriously. don't try this with loin or something lean. it won't work, trust me! cut that pork shoulder into 2-3 inch chunks.

This helps it cook evenly and get all that flavour infused.

How do you know if your pork shoulder is any good? look for a good amount of marbling. that's the fat running through the meat.

It renders down while cooking, making the carnitas meat super tender and juicy. nobody wants dry carnitas! a good rule is the pinker the better.

Then, we need some aromatics:

• 1 large orange, quartered
• 1 large onion, quartered
• 4 cloves garlic, smashed
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
• ½ cup (120ml) Mexican Coca-Cola

Seasoning Notes: Spice It Up!

Honestly, the magic is in the seasoning. Salt and cumin are essential! They bring out the pork's natural flavour. Don't be shy with them. Oregano adds that classic Mexican pork carnitas aroma.

Want to boost the flavour? a little pinch of ground cloves or cinnamon is the secret ingredient passed down to me from my abuela.

But keep it subtle, you don't want it to taste like christmas.

If you don't have oregano, marjoram works in a pinch. But honestly, just get some oregano. It's worth it for this pork carnitas recipe.

Equipment Needed: Keep It Simple

You don't need fancy gadgets to nail this Mexican pork recipes .

• A slow cooker, Dutch oven, or Instant Pot is essential.
• A large skillet or cast iron skillet is needed for crisping.
• Tongs for handling the meat.
• A slotted spoon, because nobody wants to scoop up all that fat.

That's it! you can get away with a large pot on the stovetop if you're desperate, but it's riskier. you'll need to watch it like a hawk.

For the best pork carnitas slow cooker experience, using the right equipment is essential

Alright, ready to get cooking? This slow cooker carnitas recipe is gonna be epic!

Alright, let's dive into making some seriously delicious mexican pork carnitas . forget those sad, dry imitations. we're going for the real deal, fall-apart tender on the inside and crispy-licious on the outside.

Trust me, even your picky uncle barry will be asking for seconds of this pork carnitas recipe .

Prep Like a Pro: Mise en Place is Your Friend

First, let's get organised. this ain't rocket science, but a little prep goes a long way. cut your 3-4 lbs of pork carnitas meat , pork shoulder into 2-3 inch chunks.

Don't be shy about trimming some of the excess fat, but leave some for that flavour. quarter one large onion and one large orange.

Smash those 4 garlic cloves. finally, measure out your spices, 2 teaspoons of kosher salt, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano and ½ teaspoon of black pepper.

Time-saving tip? Pre-chop everything the night before. Seriously, Future You will thank you. Also, remember, safe cooking is happy cooking.

From Slow Cooker to Spectacular: Step-by-Step Carnitas Magic

Ready to roll? Here's how we make this Mexican Carnitas Recipe :

1. Dump your beautiful pork chunks into your slow cooker.
2. Throw in the onion, orange, garlic, and spices.
3. Pour in 1 cup of chicken broth (optional) and ½ cup of Mexican Coca-Cola or orange juice. I swear, the Coke adds something special!
4. Cook on low for 6- 8 hours . The pork should shred easily.
5. Remove the pork and shred it with two forks.
6. Heat 2 tablespoons of lard in a skillet over medium-high heat.
7. Crisp the shredded pork in batches until golden brown, about 5- 7 minutes per batch.
8. Serve with all your favourite taco fixings.

Doneness? You're aiming for pork that falls apart with just a glance. That's the sweet spot. Aim for an internal temperature of around 203° F ( 95° C) .

Pro Tips for Epic Pork Carnitas Tacos

Okay, wanna take your Pork Carnitas Recipe to the next level?

• Don't overcrowd the pan when crisping. Seriously, brown in batches.
• Common mistake? Not using enough fat when crisping. Don't be scared.
• Make-ahead option: Cook the pork a day or two in advance. Shred and store it in the fridge. Crisp it right before serving.

Now, go forth and make the best carnitas of your life! seriously, this mexican pork recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Enjoy those delicious pork carnitas slow cooker tacos! honestly, you can't beat proper mexican pork .

Alright, so you've got your carnitas recipe ready to roll. Awesome! But before you dive in, let's talk about those little extras that can take your Mexican pork carnitas from "meh" to "OMG!"

Recipe Notes: Level Up Your Carnitas

Honestly, it’s the little things, you know? i remember the first time i made pork carnitas recipe , i totally forgot the orange.

It was still good, but not the same. learn from my mistakes, folks!

Serving Suggestions: Plating Like a Pro

Presentation matters. pile that gorgeous, crispy carnitas meat high on a platter. think about color! fresh cilantro, diced red onion, a vibrant salsa.

.. it's all about that visual appeal. my favourite pork carnitas tacos are served like this. don't forget the lime wedges!

For sides, consider creamy refried beans, fluffy mexican rice, or a tangy coleslaw. wash it all down with a cold cerveza or a refreshing agua fresca.

A good rule of thumb here for mexican pork recipes is "more is more".

Storage Tips: Keepin' it Fresh

Got leftovers? lucky you! refrigerate your mexican carnitas recipe in an airtight container. they'll keep for 3-4 days. freezing is also an option.

Just make sure they're cooled completely first, and they'll be good for up to 2-3 months.

Reheating? A quick pan-fry is best to re-crisp the edges. You can also microwave them, but honestly, that's a last resort. No one wants soggy carnitas. No one.

Variations: Get Creative

Want to mix things up? For a healthier version, trim as much fat as possible from the Mexican pork before cooking.

Feeling spicy? add a diced jalapeño or two. seasonal swaps? in the fall, try adding a pinch of cinnamon or cloves.

It sounds weird, but trust me, it works! or, for slow cooker carnitas , you could throw in apple slices.

Don't be afraid to experiment. and always document, it's your cooking journey.

Nutrition Basics: The Good Stuff

Okay, let's be real. carnitas aren't exactly health food. but pork carnitas slow cooker does offer a good source of protein.

And you can always load up on the veggies to balance things out. plus, studies show cooking for hours can also help unlock nutrients.

Just saying.

So there you have it. now go forth and make some amazing carnitas ! you’ve totally got this. and honestly, even if you mess up a little, it'll still be delicious.

That's the magic of carnitas .

The *Real Deal* Slow Cooker Carnitas (Oven or Instant Pot Options!) Recipe Card

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Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:360 Mins

Servings:6-8 servings

Ingredients:

• 3-4 lbs (1.4-1.8 kg) pork shoulder (Boston Butt), cut into 2-3 inch chunks
• 1 large orange, quartered
• 1 large onion, quartered
• 4 cloves garlic, smashed
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth (optional)
• ½ cup (120ml) Mexican Coca-Cola
• 2 tablespoons lard (or vegetable oil)

Instructions:

1. Cut the pork shoulder into chunks, trimming excess fat (but leaving some for flavor).
2. Place pork in slow cooker, Dutch oven, or Instant Pot. Add orange quarters, onion quarters, smashed garlic, salt, cumin, oregano, pepper, and bay leaf. Pour in the chicken broth (if using) and Mexican Coca-Cola.
3. Cook the pork: Slow Cooker: Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until pork is easily shredded with a fork. Oven: Cook covered in the Dutch oven at 300°F (150°C) for 3-4 hours, until fork-tender. Instant Pot: Cook on high pressure for 75 minutes, followed by a 15-20 minute natural pressure release. Then, manually release any remaining pressure.
4. Remove pork from the cooking liquid and shred with two forks. Discard orange, onion, garlic, and bay leaf.
5. (Optional) Heat lard or vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shredded pork in batches, pressing down slightly to encourage browning. Cook until golden brown and crispy on the edges, about 5-7 minutes per batch.
6. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings. This carnitas recipe makes delicious tacos, burritos and more!