Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Carnitas
Easy to make slow cooker pulled pork carnitas – tender pull apart pork that tastes amazing. Minimal prep work, simple spices and great result. Use it for grain bowls, sandwiches, chili, or serve with mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Carnitas
I know this is not a typical recipe, you’ll see on my blog, but I do make pulled pork from time to time. I just never shared my favorite way of preparing it on my blog. And I also have a couple of recipes coming pretty soon, where I use this pulled pork.
When I make pulled pork, I use it in grain bowls, like these Pulled Pork Quinoa Bowls, Pulled Pork Nachos and Pulled Pork Sandwiches.
The great thing about this recipe- you can not get it wrong, it is so easy!
This recipe requires very minimal effort and if you have a slow cooker, you should definitely try it. Both my husband and I love pulled pork sandwiches and this is my go to recipe, when I decide to make some. You can add sauce to this pulled pork, but it also had a lot of flavor on its own. You can eat it as it is, or fry it until crispy in a skillet.
Pulled Pork Carnitas
I like to use it for pulled pork rice/quinoa bowls, nachos, tacos or taco salads. I’ll be sharing a pulled pork quinoa bowl recipe with you pretty soon.
After cooking the pork, you will have a lot of juice left in the slow cooker. You can either use this as a base for a gravy or pour it over the pulled pork, in cake it gets too dry.
For the seasoning, I also like to use Adobo sauce and chipotle peppers in Adobo sauce, which enhances the flavor of the meat.
Mexican Pulled Pork
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Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Carnitas
Ingredients
- 4 lb pork shoulder — , excess fat trimmed
- 1 small onion — , quartered
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 1/2 cup chicken stock or water
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp Adobo sauce from a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce — , chopped
- 1 bay leaf
To rub the meat:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
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In a bowl, combine olive oil, ground cumin, oregano, salt and black pepper. Rub meat with this mixture.
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Place garlic, onions, Adobo sauce, chipotle pepper, orange juice, chicken stock (or water), bay leaf and lime juice in a slow cooker. Add meat and cover.
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Cook on high for 6 hours or on low for at least 8 hours. The meat should be falling apart. Take out of the slow cooker and shred using two forks. (You can freeze already cooked pulled pork in zip lock bags.) You can reserve some or the juices, left after cooking the meat and add them to it if it turns too dry.
To serve:
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Heat 1-2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet and add pulled pork. Cook until golden and crispy. Serve.
This pulled pork looks delicious, Mira. Love how easy this is.
This pulled pork looks fantastic, Mira! Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous! I always make pulled pork in my slow cooker too, but I will have to try out your recipe. I love your seasonings! Pinned!
I love pulled pork! This looks delicious, Mira! Love how easy it is to make! The flavours sound amazing.
I could eat all the pork carnitas! It’s one of my favorite Mexican dishes. And a slow cooker version? I’m all over it!
I love using my slow cooker. Yum, I love that you added orange juice. It must be good:)
Pulled pork is so tasty, we love it! I love that this is made in the slow cooker too. Looks delicious!
Oh my gosh!! You know I ADORE pork carnitas! I had to check out your recipe – I like the idea of adding adobo, I will do that next time! N x Pinning of course – I adore your food!
Mira, your carnitas looks tender and delicious and such an easy recipe! Yum!!
Your pulled pork looks perfect, Mira! It’s one of my husband’s favorite! Love that it’s made in the slow cooker 🙂
Back when I ate meat, I used to make pulled pork in my slow cooker all the time! It’s the best and easiest way.
There is a restaurant in Toronto called “La Carnita” and they’re pulled pork is my favorite! This is perfect copycat for me to try at home!
Hope you like it Julie!
I don’t like cooking protein during the week because it’s time consuming. But with this recipe, I don’t mind all all! Your photo looks gorgeous and I want grab the bowl from my screen now!
Carnitas are the best, aren’t they?! Your recipe looks amazing!!
Can’t wait to give your recipe a try! I love all the flavors you have included! Thank you, also, for this printable recipe WITH the photo. It’s so helpful when looking back at a recipe and remembering what got your attention and how it will look for presentation! Thank you, Mira!
I’m new to your blog and a fan!
Hi Gael, Thanks so much! I’m so glad you like it! The printable will be helpful for a fun project like this one! Thanks for following my blog!