Hello, welcome to my beautiful world! My name is Prisca Bush. I am a food lover; I enjoy writing about my favorite recipes. 

 

Introduction

 

There’s something magical about walking into your home and being greeted by the warm, savory aroma of something delicious simmering all day long. That’s exactly what happened the first time I made the crock pot carnitas recipe—a traditional Mexican dish that’s been given the slow cooker treatment for maximum flavor with minimal fuss.

The inspiration came during a visit to a friend’s abuela in Southern California. She didn’t speak much English, and I barely knew a handful of Spanish words, but food doesn’t need translation. She served the most incredible recipe—crock pot carnitas recipe—juicy pork with crispy edges, wrapped in warm corn tortillas and topped with just lime and onion. It was perfection.

Back at home, I wanted to recreate that flavor without spending hours tending a pot. Enter the slow cooker—my weeknight hero. This crock pot carnitas recipe is my go-to for easy weeknight dinners, game day parties, taco nights, and even meal prep. The best part? It’s simple, budget-friendly, and absolutely packed with bold, authentic flavor.

Let’s dive in.

 

Do you want more recipes?

 

Slow Cooker Jambalaya Recipe

Creamy Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats Recipe

 

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Crock Pot Carnitas Recipe (2025)

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Ingredients – What You’ll Need

 

For the Carnitas:

 

• 4–5 lbs boneless pork shoulder (also called pork butt), excess fat trimmed
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup orange juice (fresh is best)
• 1/4 cup lime juice (about 2 limes)
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 ½ tsp salt (more to taste)
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 cup chicken broth

 

Optional (for crisping):

 

• 2 tbsp olive oil or reserved pork fat

 

How to Make Crock Pot Carnitas Recipe

 

This is truly a set-it-and-forget-it recipe, but the flavor payoff is off the charts. Here’s how to do it:

 

Step 1: Prep the Pork

 

• Trim any excess fat from the pork shoulder and cut it into 3–4 large chunks.
• Season generously with salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, paprika, and oregano.

 

Step 2: Load the Crock Pot

 

• Add chopped onions and garlic to the bottom of the slow cooker.
• Place the seasoned pork on top.
• Pour in the orange juice, lime juice, and chicken broth.
• Tuck in the bay leaves.

 

Step 3: Cook Low and Slow

 

• Cover and cook on LOW for 8–10 hours or HIGH for 5–6 hours, until the pork is fork-tender and falling apart.

Pro Tip: Low and slow is best for ultra-tender, flavorful carnitas.

 

Step 4: Shred the Pork

 

• Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks.
• Discard the bay leaves.
• Optional: Strain and reserve some of the cooking liquid.

 

Step 5: Crisp It Up

 

This is where the magic happens.

 

Option A – Stovetop Crisping:

 

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add a little olive oil or pork fat.
• Add shredded pork in batches and press down gently to crisp one side (about 2–3 minutes).
• Spoon some of the reserved liquid over the top to keep it juicy.

 

Option B – Oven Crisping:

 

• Spread shredded pork on a baking sheet.
• Drizzle with some cooking liquid.
• Broil on HIGH for 5–7 minutes, stirring once, until crispy edges form.

 

How to Serve Crock Pot Carnitas Recipe

 

This crock pot carnitas recipe is super versatile. Here are our favorite ways to serve it:

 

Classic Street-Style Tacos

 

• Warm corn tortillas
• Carnitas
• Chopped white onion
• Fresh cilantro
• Lime wedges

 

Carnitas Bowls

 

• Serve over rice or cauliflower rice
• Add black beans, avocado, grilled veggies, and salsa

 

Burritos & Quesadillas

 

• Wrap with rice, beans, cheese, and salsa for a hearty burrito
• Use inside quesadillas with melty cheese for a crispy treat

 

Carnitas Salad

 

• Pile onto greens with avocado, corn, black beans, and a tangy lime vinaigrette

 

Breakfast Tacos

 

• Reheat leftovers with scrambled eggs and cheese in tortillas

 

Tips

 

1. Use Pork Shoulder: It has the ideal fat content for rich, juicy carnitas. Don’t substitute with leaner cuts like pork loin.
2. Don’t Skip the Citrus: Orange and lime juice help tenderize the pork and add authentic flavor.
3. Crisp in Batches: Overcrowding the skillet prevents those delicious browned bits from forming.
4. Reserve the Juice: The slow cooker liquid is pure gold—use it to rehydrate leftovers or drizzle over meat before serving.
5. Make It Ahead: Carnitas actually taste even better the next day. Store the meat and juice separately for best texture.

 

Variations

 

1. Spicy Carnitas

 

• Add a diced jalapeño or chipotle pepper to the slow cooker
• Top with spicy salsa or pickled jalapeños

 

2. Carnitas Verde

 

• Swap orange juice for tomatillo salsa
• Add a handful of fresh cilantro during the last hour of cooking

 

3. Tropical Twist

 

• Replace half of the orange juice with pineapple juice for a fruity flair

 

4. Chicken Carnitas

 

• Substitute pork with boneless skinless chicken thighs
• Reduce cook time to 4–5 hours on LOW

 

5. Vegetarian Carnitas

 

• Use jackfruit as a meat substitute
• Follow the same seasonings and slow cook time

 

FAQs 

 

Q1: Can I make carnitas ahead of time?

 

Yes! In fact, carnitas taste even better after the flavors have had time to settle. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

 

Q2: What’s the best way to reheat carnitas?

 

For best texture, reheat in a skillet with a little oil until crispy. You can also microwave them with a spoonful of broth or slow cooker juices to keep them moist.

 

Q3: Can I cook carnitas on high instead of low?

 

Yes, but low heat over a longer period results in more tender meat. Use HIGH for 5–6 hours if you’re short on time.

 

Q4: Can I use frozen pork?

 

For safety, it’s best to thaw pork completely before adding it to the crock pot to ensure even cooking.

 

Q5: Is pork shoulder the same as pork butt?

 

Yes! Despite the confusing name, pork butt and pork shoulder are often used interchangeably. Both are well-marbled and ideal for slow cooking.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Whether you’re feeding a crowd, meal prepping for the week, or just want a hands-off dinner that delivers big-time flavor, this crock pot carnitas recipe is the answer. It’s rich, satisfying, and oh-so-crispy in all the right places.

With just a few ingredients and a trusty slow cooker, you can bring the flavor of Mexican street food into your own kitchen—no taco truck required. The beauty of crock pot carnitas recipe is that it’s flexible, freezer-friendly, and foolproof.

So go ahead—grab a pork shoulder, let it slow cook all day, and get ready for the kind of meal that has everyone coming back for seconds (and thirds).

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