Mouthwatering Carnitas Crockpot for Effortless Weeknight Meals
Author:Emily
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:480 minutes
Total Time:495 minutes
Yield:8 servings 1x
Category:Main Dish
Method:Slow Cooker
Cuisine:Mexican
Diet:Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
3 pounds Pork Shoulder (Avoid using pork loin as it may yield a drier result.)
1 cup Orange Juice (Freshly squeezed is best for optimal flavor.)
1/4 cup Lime Juice (Replace with lemon juice if necessary.)
4 cloves Minced Garlic (Fresh garlic delivers the best punch.)
1 large Chopped Onion (Shallots can be used as an alternative.)
2 teaspoons Cumin (Always use ground and adjust to your taste.)
1 teaspoon Oregano (Opt for Mexican oregano for more authenticity.)
2 tablespoons Chili Powder (Customize based on your spice preference.)
1 teaspoon Salt (Adjust measurement to taste.)
1 teaspoon Pepper (Adjust measurement to taste.)
2 leaves Bay Leaves (Remember to discard before serving.)
Instructions
Trim any excess fat from the pork shoulder, then cut it into large chunks for even cooking.
Place the pork chunks into the slow cooker with orange juice, lime juice, garlic, onion, cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt, pepper, and bay leaves, then stir gently.
Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4-5 hours until the pork is tender and shreds easily.
Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it, discarding any excess fat.
For crispy pork, spread it on a baking sheet and broil for 5-8 minutes.
Serve your carnitas with cooking liquid over the pork in corn tortillas or burrito bowls.