15 Slow Cooker Carnitas

What should I make for dinner tonight? This might just be the number one question that we ask ourselves almost daily over here.

Then you have come to the right place, we have rounded up 15 slow cooker carnitas that we have shared over the years.

Plus, there is such a variety of flavours in these recipes, so you are sure to find something for you. Most of these recipes are quick and easy ones made especially for busy weeknights.

15 Slow Cooker Carnitas

Crispy Slow Cooker Carnitas

6 hr 10 min

Boneless pork roast, adobo sauce, garlic, chili powder, chicken stock

4.984

Gimme Some Oven

Carnitas (Mexican Slow Cooker Pulled Pork)

6 hr 15 min

Lb pork shoulder, orange, jalapeno, olive oil, garlic

5.0848

RecipeTin Eats

Slow Cooker Carnitas

10 hr 10 min

Boneless pork shoulder, chicken broth, cinnamon, garlic powder, bay leaves

4.62K

Allrecipes

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

8 hr 40 min

Pound pork shoulder, oranges, garlic, chili powder, black pepper

5.064

Damn Delicious

Slow Cooker Carnitas

5 hr 16 min

Boston butt, brown rice, orange juice, queso fresco, lime juice

5.01

Well Plated by Erin

Carnitas (Slow Cooker Recipe)

6 hr 15 min

Pork shoulder, orange juice, lime juice, garlic, chili powder

5.03

Kristine’s Kitchen

Slow Cooker Carnitas

9 hr

Pound pork roast, green chile, lime, oranges, garlic

5.018

Self Proclaimed Foodie

Slow-Cooker Pork Carnitas

5 hr 15 min

Boneless pork shoulder, orange juice, corn tortillas, chicken broth, red pepper flakes

4.6103

Food Network

Crispy Slow Cooker Carnitas

8 hr 5 min

Lbs pork shoulder, orange, lime, cayenne pepper, chicken stock

5.012

The Modern Proper

Easy Crockpot Carnitas

8 hr 10 min

Pork shoulder, beer, orange juice, chipotle hot sauce, cinnamon

4.9140

Pinch of Yum

Pork Carnitas (Instant Pot or Slow Cooker)

2 hr 20 min

Pork shoulder roast, brown sugar, chipotle peppers, chili powder, chicken stock

4.86

A Little and A Lot

Best Slow Cooker Carnitas

4 hr 5 min

Pork butt roast, liquid smoke, orange juice, bacon grease, ancho chile

5.035

A Spicy Perspective

Slow-Cooker Pork Carnitas

10 hr 10 min

Pound pork roast, orange juice, olive oil, garlic, black pepper

4.914

Barefeet In The Kitchen

BEST Crispy Slow Cooker Carnitas Recipe

4 hr 10 min

Pork shoulder, orange juice, lime juice, garlic, chili powder

5.02

Key To My Lime

Easy Slow Cooker Carnitas

Boneless pork shoulder, dairy free, orange, lime, cinnamon

5.06

The Real Food Dietitians

12 Related Question Answers About Slow Cooker Carnitas

Can you overcook carnitas in slow cooker?

Yes, you can overcook carnitas in a crockpot. If you planned on cooking meat for a really long time, like 18+ hours, you would likely end up with overcooked meat that separated into really fine strands. I prefer cooking these on LOW so that the timeframe where they’re cooked is more forgiving.

What is the difference between pulled pork and carnitas?

Pulled pork is meat from a pig (typically from the shoulder region) that has been slow-cooked until it’s easy enough to shred, whereas carnitas (meaning “little meats”) is a version of pulled pork that’s often fixed with Mexican spices (or simply salt).

Do you put liquid in slow cooker for pulled pork?

Does pulled pork in the slow cooker need liquid? No. When making pulled pork in the slow cooker I add a small amount of extra liquid for flavor but it’s not a necessity. Because there is a good amount of fat and water in pork shoulder roasts you don’t have to add extra liquid when making pulled pork.

What pork is best for carnitas?

How do you know when carnitas are done?

Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4 hours, or an internal temperature of at least 170 degrees F to make sure the meat is tender. Once the meat is tender and done cooking, remove from the crockpot and let cool slightly so you can handle it.

Can I use pork picnic for carnitas?

From the top of the shoulder: Boston butt, pork butt, fresh pork butt, Boston shoulder, Boston butt roast, or shoulder roast. From the foreleg section of the shoulder: picnic or picnic shoulder.

What is pastor tacos made of?

Al Pastor meat is taken from boneless pork shoulder. Although the cooking style is identical to that of the Lebanese shawarma with its vertical spit-roasting method, the meat is completely different from lamb. Pork shoulder is slow-cooked to keep its tenderness while it is thinly sliced off the spinning spit-roast.

What do you put on carnitas?

Suggested toppings:

1. shredded jack cheese or crumbled cotija cheese.
2. thinly shredded green cabbage.
3. chopped cilantro.
4. finely chopped raw white onion.
5. Mexican crema or sour cream.
6. Guacamole or avocado slices.
7. Pico de Gallo.
8. Homemade Refried Beans on the bottom of the tacos or served on the side.

Is carne asada and carnitas the same thing?

Carne asada: Grilled meat, usually beef, sliced thin. Carnitas: Literally “little meats.” Usually pork butt simmered and fried in its own fat.

Can you overcook pulled pork in a slow cooker?

Can you overcook the pork? It’s hard to overcook the well-marbled and fatty shoulder cut. However, it can become mushy due to the acids in the sauce if the cooking continues too long beyond the recommended cook times. Make sure to keep an eye on the pork and take a bite for the best gauge of doneness.

How long does pork take to cook in slow cooker?

2 – 4 hours, cook it for 4 – 6 hours on High or 8 – 12 hours on Low.

Is pulled pork better in oven or slow cooker?

Results: The oven roasting method using the pork shoulder definitely yielded the best results. The flavour of the pulled pork was amazing and the texture wasn’t grainy or spongy like the pork that was cooked in the slow cooker (probably because the tenderloin is a much leaner cut).