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–+ servings

Carnitas (Mexican Slow Cooker Pulled Pork)

This recipe for Carnitas, a flavorful and juicy Mexican slow cooker pulled pork, features crispy bits that elevate tacos and other dishes.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 15 minutes
Course Slow cooking
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 11 servings
Calories 578 kcal

Equipment

  • slow cooker
  • large non-stick pan

Ingredients
  

Pork

  • 2 kg pork shoulder skinless, boneless
  • 2.5 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 1 medium jalapeno deseeded, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • ¾ cup juice from orange about 2 oranges

Rub

  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Rinse and dry the pork shoulder, rub all over with salt and pepper.
  • Combine the Rub ingredients then rub all over the pork.
  • Place the pork in a slow cooker (fat cap up), top with the onion, jalapeño, minced garlic and squeeze over the juice of the oranges.
  • Slow Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 7 hours.
  • Pork should be tender enough to shred. Remove from slow cooker and let cool slightly. Then shred using two forks.
  • Optional: Skim off the fat from the juices remaining in the slow cooker and discard.
  • If you have a lot more than 2 cups of juice, then reduce it down to about 2 cups.

Crisping

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large non stick pan or well seasoned skillet over high heat. Spread pork in the pan, drizzle over some juices.
  • Wait until the juices evaporate and the bottom side is golden brown and crusty. Turn and just briefly sear the other side.
  • Remove pork from skillet. Repeat in batches.
  • Just before serving, drizzle over more juices and serve hot, stuffed in tacos.

Notes

Use pork with the skin removed but leaving some of the fat cap on. Excellent for tacos, burritos, or quesadillas. Serving suggestions include guacamole and salsa.

Nutrition

Serving: 205gCalories: 578kcalCarbohydrates: 1.7gProtein: 45gFat: 42gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 173mgSodium: 616mgPotassium: 664mgSugar: 0.5gVitamin A: 40IUVitamin C: 4.3mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 2.9mg
Keyword Carnitas, Pork Carnitas recipe
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