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Carnitas (Mexican Slow Cooker Pulled Pork)

A platter piled with shredded pork carnitas, with browned crisp edges and cilantro.
Shredded pork carnitas piled on a serving platter.

Slow-cooked pork shoulder is shredded, then pan-fried with its juices until golden and crisp at the edges.

By Cookin' Kitchen

  • Total: 6 hours 15 minutes
  • Servings: 10 servings

Recipe

Carnitas (Mexican Slow Cooker Pulled Pork)

Slow-cooked pork shoulder is shredded, then pan-fried with its juices until golden and crisp at the edges.

Cookin' · https://cookin.club/recipes/carnitas-mexican-slow-cooker-pulled-pork

Prep
15 minutes
Cook
6 hours
Total
6 hours 15 minutes
Servings
10

Ingredients

10 servings

For 10 servings

Rub

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse and dry the pork shoulder, then rub it all over with salt and pepper.

  2. Step 2: Combine the Rub ingredients, then rub the mixture all over the pork.

  3. Step 3: Place the pork in a slow cooker with the fat cap facing up. Top with the onion, jalapeño, and minced garlic, then squeeze the orange juice over everything.

  4. Step 4: Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 7 hours.

  5. Step 5: When the pork is tender enough to shred, remove it from the slow cooker and let it cool slightly. Shred it using two forks.

  6. Step 6: If desired, skim the fat from the juices left in the slow cooker and discard it.

  7. Step 7: If you have much more than 2 cups of juice, reduce it to about 2 cups. Set the liquid aside to season the pork; there is no need to strain out the soft onion.

To Crisp

  1. Step 8: Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a large nonstick pan or well-seasoned skillet over high heat. Spread some pork in the pan and drizzle it with some juices. Wait for the juices to evaporate and the underside to turn golden brown and crusty. Turn the pork and briefly sear the other side; do not brown it all over, so it stays tender and juicy.

    Shredded pork browning in a skillet.
  2. Step 9: Remove the pork from the skillet. Repeat in batches without crowding the pan.

  3. Step 10: Just before serving, drizzle the pork with more juices. Serve hot, stuffed in tacos.

Notes

Make ahead and storage

For the best make-ahead results, shred the pork without pan-frying it. Store the pork and cooking juices separately in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat the juices gently until pourable, then pan-fry the pork with some of the juice.

To store leftovers after pan-frying, drizzle the pork with juice, cover, and reheat. For serving a few hours later, keep the browned pork warm and drizzle it generously with juice.

For taco toppings, try diced avocado or guacamole, pico de gallo or salsa, sliced tomato, grated cheese, sour cream, lettuce, or pickled cabbage or red onions.

Nutrition per serving

Calories
578 kcal
Fat
42 g
Saturated fat
15 g
Carbohydrates
1.7 g
Sugar
0.5 g
Protein
45 g
Sodium
616 mg
Cholesterol
173 mg

Estimated values; they will vary with the exact ingredients and brands you use.

About this recipe

Slow-cook pork shoulder with onion, jalapeño, garlic, orange juice, and spices until tender enough to shred. Pan-fry the shredded pork with its cooking juices for browned, crisp edges, then serve it hot in tacos.

The carnitas can also be served in burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, or sliders, or with Mexican red rice.

Two pork carnitas tacos topped with diced onion and cilantro, with lime wedges and sauce nearby.
Pork carnitas tacos with fresh toppings and lime.
Pork carnitas served with Mexican red rice, corn, lime, and vegetables.
Pork carnitas served with rice and vegetables.

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