Crockpot Caritas

Transform your taco night with these irresistible Crockpot Carnitas, the ultimate combination of tender, citrus-infused pork with bold spices and crispy caramelized edges. This effortless slow-cooker recipe features pork shoulder simmered low and slow in a rich blend of orange juice, lime juice, and aromatics like garlic and bay leaves, delivering melt-in-your-mouth perfection. A quick skillet sear after shredding adds a flavorful crunch, making these carnitas ideal for tacos, burritos, or even rice bowls. With just 15 minutes of prep time and a hands-off cooking process, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Serve with warm tortillas and your choice of toppings—fresh cilantro, chopped onions, and a squeeze of lime—for an authentic Mexican-inspired meal everyone will love.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:480 mins

Total Time:495 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 4 lbs Pork shoulder (boneless or bone-in)
• 4 pieces Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup Orange juice
• 0.25 cup Lime juice
• 0.5 cup Chicken broth
• 2 tsp Ground cumin
• 1.5 tsp Dried oregano
• 1 tsp Smoked paprika
• 1 tsp Chili powder
• 2 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Black pepper
• 2 pieces Bay leaves
• 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
• 1 piece White onion, chopped
• 0.25 cup Fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
• 12 pieces Corn or flour tortillas (for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels and trim excess fat if needed. Cut into large chunks, about 3-4 inches across, for more even cooking.

Step 2

In a small bowl, mix together the ground cumin, dried oregano, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3

Rub the spice mixture all over the pork chunks to coat evenly.

Step 4

Place the chopped white onion, minced garlic, orange juice, lime juice, chicken broth, and bay leaves in the crockpot. Stir to combine.

Step 5

Add the spiced pork to the crockpot, nestling it into the liquid mixture.

Step 6

Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours, or on HIGH for 5-6 hours, until the pork is tender and easily shredded with a fork.

Step 7

Once cooked, remove the pork from the crockpot and use two forks to shred it. Discard the bay leaves.

Step 8

Optional: To achieve crispy edges, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Place some of the shredded pork in the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes, pressing it down to create crispy bits. Repeat in batches if needed.

Step 9

Serve the carnitas in warm tortillas with your favorite toppings such as fresh cilantro, diced onions, salsa, or guacamole. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3078.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6271.2

Total Fat 409.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 133.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 16.9g
Cholesterol 1270.1mg	0%
Sodium 6477.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 318.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 44.2g	0%
Total Sugars 32.3g
Protein 365.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 874.3mg	0%
Iron 33.7mg	0%
Potassium 6952.7mg	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: 57.4%

Protein: 22.8%

Carbs: 19.8%