Carnitas Recipe (Mexican Slow Cooker Pulled Pork)
Carnitas Recipe (Mexican Slow Cooker Pulled Pork)
Carnitas AKA Mexican Slow Cooker Pulled Pork takes minutes to prepare and is perfect for tacos, burritos, quesadillas, chimichangas and more!
We love eating this delicious pork with some of our favorite side dishes, including homemade flour tortillas, Mexican rice, and Mexican street corn.
What is Carnitas?
Carnitas are pork cut into small pieces and slow cooked. In fact, carnitas translates to “little meat”. It’s flavored with citrus and other delicious spices. The meat became full of flavour and tender, making it very tasty.
Carnitas are delicious on their own, in simple flour tortillas, or in tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadillas… Really, they work with just about anything.
This is where we like to cook large quantities of meat and then bag and freeze for several meals throughout the month.really tasty
The best meat
What cuts of meat are best for carnitas?: You’ll want to choose a marbled piece of pork. The more marbling, the more tender and juicy the shredded meat will be. Pork chops and boneless ribs are good choices.
How much to do? Plan to buy ⅓ to ½ pound of pork per person. This may seem like a lot, but keep in mind that pork loses some weight when it cooks. When serving, keep the pork warm in a crock pot or hot pot. This pork freezes well too, so keep stocking up.
How to make carnitas?
Carnitas are easier to make than you think! !
wipe. First rub in a small bowl and sit aside.
Season + slow cook. Dry the pig butt and coat it with garlic salt and pepper. Spread ingredients over pork chops and place in slow cooker, fatty side up.
Spice + Chef. Add minced garlic, onion and jalapeño, and top with lime and orange juice. Cook on high for 6 hours or on low for 9-10 hours. Let cool for 20 minutes before chopping, making sure to discard any large chunks of fat.
Carnitas Instant Pot Instructions
Instant Pot: For a quicker spread of the juicy shredded pork, use the Instant Pot.
- Cut the larger roast pork into 2-4 pieces, depending on size, and place in the pot.
- Add other ingredients.
- Seal the lid and make sure the valve is set to “seal”
- Select Manual and set to 60 minutes. (Please check your pot user manual carefully for specific times)
- Once done, allow the pressure to release naturally, this will take about 10 minutes. Remove the valve and allow the pressure to release.
- Remove the lid and remove the pork. It should have fallen apart. Finish mincing pork and serve.
Store, Freeze + Side Options
How to store + freeze shredded pork? Place leftover pork in an airtight container and refrigerate for about 4 days. You can also keep it in the refrigerator for 2-3 months. Thaw in a crock pot or oven and heat until hot. Make sure to include drops in the storage container. The juices help keep the meat moist and tasty.
make it crisp Baked in the oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Spread the pulled pork evenly on the baking sheet and roast on the top rack until golden and crispy.
With what carnitas? There are so many side dishes for this recipe! Here are some of our favorites:
Carnitas have so many great uses! We think you’ll love this juicy, flavorful pork that works great in many recipes! !
For more Mexican food, check out:
main course
Mexico food
Prep time 10 minutes
cooking time 9 hours
Serving Size 12
Calories 225 kcal
by Lil’ Luna
- 4 pounds boneless pork chops, skinless
- 2 teaspoons garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 4 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 jalapeno seeded, chopped
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup lime juice
rub ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
-
Combine rub ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
-
Dry the pig butt and coat it with garlic salt and pepper. Spread ingredients over pork chops and place in slow cooker, fatty side up.
-
Add minced garlic, onion and jalapeño, and top with lime and orange juice.
-
Cook on high for 6 hours or on low for 9-10 hours.
-
Let cool for 20 minutes before chopping, making sure to discard any large chunks of fat.