Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
These Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas are bursting with flavor! Pork shoulder simmered with the perfect blend of seasonings, onions, and garlic simmered in orange juice and lime juice, then quickly fried. You won't want to wait for Taco Tuesday for these!
Servings: 12
Calories: 216kcal
Ingredients
- 3 ½ pound bone-in pork shoulder (or 3 pound boneless, trimmed of excess outer fat)
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeno, membrane and seeds removed, minced
- 1 cup no pulp orange juice
- ½ cup lime juice
- 2 teaspoons dried cilantro
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon ground red cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
- 12 corn tortillas
- vegetable cooking spray
- salt
Instructions
- Place the pork shoulder in the slow cooker and top with the chopped onion, garlic and jalapeno. In a two cup measuring cup or a bowl combine the orange juice, lime juice, cilantro, oregano, chili powder, paprika, cumin, and cayenne pepper; mix well. Pour the mixture over the pork shoulder, cover and cook on HIGH for 4-5 hours, or on LOW for 8 hours.
- Remove the pork from the slow cooker to a large cutting board and shred. Place back in the slow cooker, cover and cook for ½ hour more.
- Heat the oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. With a slotted serving spoon, transfer just enough pork to the pan to cover the bottom. Press the pork into the oil and fry for about 2 minutes, Stir once, cook for about 1 more minute, or until the pork is slightly crisp. Serve on corn tortillas that have been sprayed with cooking oil, lightly salted and fried over medium high heat, one at a time, for two minutes on each side until golden and lightly crisp.
Notes
Leftovers may be frozen and then thawed in the refrigerator. Reheat in a saute pan with oil.
Nutrition
Calories: 216kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 77mg | Potassium: 407mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 220IU | Vitamin C: 16.4mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 1.7mg