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This Crockpot Pork Carnitas recipe is about to become your family's favorite! I love using this cooked, tender, shredded pork for delicious tacos, but it has many other uses and ways to serve it—we list a few ideas later in the post.
This is a dinner idea that you can quickly prep, then put into the crockpot, shut the lid, and go about your day. I call it “prep and forget” because once it's in the slow cooker, you're free to do everything else you want: craft, play with the kids, set up a party, or go down to the pool. Use this versatile crockpot recipe any time of year without heating up your kitchen. If you need the recipe cooked faster, we even share additional ways you can cook this dish!
Are you looking for something else to cook? Find more easy crockpot recipes here. Or visit our recipes at the bottom of the post.
Why You'll Love This Prep-and-Forget Pork
As temperatures rise, it's the perfect time to rely on easy crockpot recipes that don't heat up your kitchen. You will absolutely love this pork that is slow-cooked to perfection. Pork Carnitas is a classic Mexican dish where the meat cooks slowly, creating incredibly tender, flavorful shredded pork that has so many uses! Whether you're making tacos, burrito bowls, or serving it over salad, this pork base is an easy win for busy weeknight meal planning.
You will love this pork that is slow-cooked to perfection. It has so many uses! Pork Carnitas is a Mexican pork carnitas recipe that cooks the meat slowly, creating tender and flavorful shredded pork.
You can cook this in the Instant Pot with your slow cooker settings. Find more Instant Pot recipeshere.
Carnitas Tacos Serving Ideas
What I love about making this pulled pork is that the shredded meat is perfect for dinner as Carnitas Tacos! To serve them like authentic street tacos, make sure you grab corn tortillas, cilantro, white onion, and lime wedges for topping. Spice them up with sliced jalapeños for a delicious kick. If you prefer chicken tacos, we have listed a recipe later in this post.
Beyond Tacos: Amazing Uses for Shredded Pork
What I love about making this pulled pork is that the shredded meat is perfect for dinner as Carnitas Tacos! To serve them like authentic street tacos, make sure you grab corn tortillas, cilantro, white onion, and lime wedges for topping. Spice them up with sliced jalapeños for a delicious kick. If you prefer chicken tacos, we have listed a recipe later in this post.
For the shredded pork leftovers, the versatility is endless! You can quickly create burritos, sandwiches, enchiladas, or incredible nachos (nachos are so good!). Right now, it's summer, and things are heating up! The last thing you want to do is cook inside when it's 105+ outside, and standing over a BBQ is also out. This “prep and forget” method keeps you cool. Before you jump to the recipe, we've included a few tips for choosing your cooking times and appliance options. Grab an enchiladas recipe.
Tips for Choosing Cooking Times
Here are a few tips to adapt this recipe to your schedule and kitchen appliances:
Faster Slow Cooker: You can reduce the cooking time significantly! If you cut the pork shoulder into 2-inch chunks, you can cook the pork in approximately 4 hours on HIGH.
Oven Cooking: Yes, you can cook this recipe in the oven, too! This is a great alternative when it's not summer. See the recipe notes for detailed oven cooking instructions.
Instant Pot (Speediest Option): If you are in a big hurry, use your Instant Pot! You can set the pressure cook feature (using the Meat/Stew setting). This will have dinner done in about an hour. Note: Remember to increase the liquid, like broth, to ensure proper pressure builds. Check the recipe notes for a helpful resource on adapting the liquid.
If making carnitas tacos with your cooked, shredded pork, you will need these additional ingredients
1 white onion (diced finely)
cilantro (wash and chop)
2 limes (cut into wedges)
optional seeded sliced jalapenos
1-2 packages corn tortillas (which you just soften and warm in the microwave by putting a damp paper towel over them while cooking and heating up right before serving, or use a tortilla warmer)
We used our Instant Poton a crockpot setting. You can cook this in the Instant Pot or your standard crockpot, or use a slow cooker.
Serves 8
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 8-10 hours on low OR 5-6 hours on high (time will need to be adjusted depending on which cooking method you choose) OR if you are in a hurry, use our recipe with the notes, and by using the video directions to make the shredded pork in the instant pot. The meat will be done; the Instant Pot pressure cooks the meat in 1 hour on the meat/stew setting.
How to Make Pork Carnitas Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep and Slow Cooker Set Up
In a small bowl, combine olive oil, tomato paste, brown sugar, cumin, oregano, salt, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, pepper, and chipotle. Stir to mix.
Place the pork butt in the bowl of the slow cooker.
Rub the spice mixture all over the outside of the pork butt.
Add the lime juice and orange juice to the slow cooker.
Top the pork with chopped onion and jalapenos.
Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or high for 5 to 6 hours
Hands Off Cooking Phase
When pork is cooked through, remove it from the slow cooker.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the shredded pork on a baking sheet and top with a ½ cup of juices remaining in the slow cooker.
Bake for 15 minutes to crisp the edges of the meat.
Serve in flour tortillas, over rice, or garnished with chopped cilantro or cheese. Or make carnitas tacos.
This versatile, batch-cooked pork is a true time-saver for busy families. It's the perfect “prep and forget” solution for everything from hot summer dinners and back-to-school meal plans to feeding family or guests. Enjoy this simple, delicious carnitas!
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This Crockpot Pork Carnitas recipe is a "prep and forget" favorite! With minimal effort, you get the most tender, flavorful shredded pork for making amazing tacos, burritos, and more. A versatile, all-season dinner winner.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time6 hours
Total Time6 hours5 minutes
Ingredients
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon soy sauce
¼ cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons oregano
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon chipotle powder
4 pounds pork butt
The juice of one to two limes
½ cup of orange juice
1 small onion, chopped
2 jalapenos, deseeded and chopped
Carnitas Tacos
Corn Tortillas
1 white onion
Cilantro
2-3 limes
Jalapenos
Instructions
Prep and Slow Cooker Set Up
In a small bowl, combine olive oil, tomato paste, brown sugar, cumin, oregano, salt, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, pepper, and chipotle. Stir to mix.
In a small bowl, combine olive oil, tomato paste, brown sugar, cumin, oregano, salt, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, pepper, and chipotle. Stir to mix.
2. Place the pork butt in the bowl of the slow cooker. Rub the spice mixture all over the outside of the pork butt.
3. Add the lime juice and orange juice to the slow cooker.
4. Top the pork butt with chopped onion and jalapenos.
5. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or high for 5 to 6 hours.
Hands Off Cooking Phase
6. When pork is cooked through, remove from the slow cooker and shred with a fork.
Shred, Crisp, and Serve the Carnitas
7. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the shredded pork on a baking sheet and top with a ½ cup of juices remaining in the slow cooker.
8. Bake for 15 minutes to crisp the edges of the meat.
9. Serve in flour tortillas, over rice, or garnished with chopped cilantro or cheese. Or make carnitas tacos with the meat using corn tortillas garnished with chopped cilantro, white onion, lime, and optional jalapenos.
Notes
If you want to speed up cook time because you are in a hurry or forgot to prep and get your dinner in the crockpot early. Use our recipe but, follow the settings in the video for Instant Pot 1 hour tacos.
For this quicker method using our recipe but, you will need to cut up the pork into cubes (ensure you have boneless pork butt or loin)
Lightly brown the cut-up pork butt in olive oil, then increase liquid or juice to1 cup from the ½ cup our recipe calls for.
Set instant pot on Meat/Stew setting for 35 minutes on High pressure. Natural release for 15 min. Transfer the meat into a pan, shred it up, season with salt, broil 10 min to get crispy. See video in recipe card for details, and to see a demonstration of how to make it quicker.
Here is another helpful video if you need to see how to make pork carnitas.
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Crockpot Chicken Tacos (a favorite) So easy to make! Add a boxed or homemade Mexican rice and salad to complete your meal.
Girl, you know when it gets too hot to cook, you need instant pot recipes like thisInstant Pot BBQ Chicken. Too hot in the kitchen, too hot outside to barbecue, or you want to give dad a night off from grilling.
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