Carnitas Mexican Pork My Way Crock Pot

Discover the ultimate slow-cooked comfort food with this "Carnitas Mexican Pork My Way Crock Pot" recipe, a vibrant twist on the classic Mexican dish. Tender chunks of pork shoulder are infused with the bold flavors of freshly squeezed orange and lime juices, fragrant garlic, smoky paprika, and a medley of spices, all simmered to perfection in your crock pot. In just 20 minutes of prep time, let your slow cooker do the magic, producing melt-in-your-mouth pork that’s as juicy as it is flavorful. For an irresistible finish, crisp up the shredded pork in a skillet to achieve that signature golden edge. Perfect for tacos, burrito bowls, or nachos, this versatile recipe delivers restaurant-quality carnitas that will elevate any Mexican-inspired meal. Easy to make, rich in flavor, and perfect for feeding a crowd, it’s a go-to for your next taco night!

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:480 mins

Total Time:500 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 4 pounds Pork shoulder (boneless or bone-in)
• 1 cup Orange juice (freshly squeezed)
• 2 tablespoons Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• 4 units Garlic cloves (minced)
• 2 teaspoons Ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 2 units Bay leaves
• 1 large White onion (sliced)
• 2 tablespoons Vegetable or olive oil
• 0.5 cup Water

Directions

Step 1

Trim any excess fat from the pork shoulder and cut the meat into large chunks (about 3-4 inches wide).

Step 2

In a small bowl, mix together the ground cumin, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Rub this spice mixture all over the pork chunks to evenly coat.

Step 3

Place the sliced white onion at the bottom of the crock pot to create a bed for the pork.

Step 4

Add the seasoned pork chunks on top of the onions, spreading them evenly.

Step 5

In a mixing bowl or measuring cup, combine the orange juice, lime juice, minced garlic, and vegetable or olive oil. Pour this mixture over the pork.

Step 6

Tuck the bay leaves into the crock pot, then add the water to prevent the pork from drying out while cooking.

Step 7

Cover the crock pot with its lid and set it to cook on LOW for 8 hours (or HIGH for 4-5 hours). The pork should be tender and easily pull apart with a fork when done.

Step 8

Once the pork is cooked, remove it from the crock pot and use two forks to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces. Discard the bay leaves.

Step 9

Optional: For crispy carnitas, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of oil and sear the shredded pork in batches until the edges are crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side.

Step 10

Serve the carnitas in warm tortillas for tacos, on rice for burrito bowls, or in your favorite Mexican-inspired dish. Garnish with fresh cilantro, diced onions, or a squeeze of lime if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2463.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5029.1

Total Fat 393.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 131.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 1270.1mg	0%
Sodium 6018.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 56.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 6.7g	0%
Total Sugars 29.1g
Protein 332.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 361.8mg	0%
Iron 26.2mg	0%
Potassium 5930.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 69.4%

Protein: 26.1%

Carbs: 4.5%