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Home » Pork Recipes » Crock Pot Pork Carnitas

Crock Pot Pork Carnitas

Published: Aug 4, 2017 · Modified: Mar 2, 2023 by Arlene Mobley · This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Do you want to create delicious, fall-apart-tender pork Carnitas without hours of tending over a stove? Fortunately, you can use your trusty slow cooker to make an incredible pork Carnitas meal with minimal effort.

Tender shredded pork carnitas meat piled on a tortilla with salsa.

Make them in your slow cooker and it takes most of the work out of the slow cooking process on the stove.

Crock Pot Carnitas recipe can then be used to make your favorite Mexican recipes like these Pulled Pork Tacos I made.

Crock Pot Carnitas recipe via flouronmyface.com

Ingredients

  • 5 lb. boneless pork shoulder roast, trimmed of fat and cut into large chunks
  • salt and pepper
  • 4 tablespoons of butter or lard
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • ⅓ cup of lime juice
  • 4 or 5 sprigs of fresh thyme or 2 teaspoons of dry thyme
  • 4 small bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 2 cups of water

Directions

  1. Trim the pork shoulder of the excess fat from the outside, cut into large chunks and season with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat a large skillet and melt the butter or lard in it.
  3. Brown the chunks of pork in the melted butter turning to brown all sides. As the pork chunks turn golden brown move them to a 6 or 7-quart crock pot slow cooker.
  4. Once all of the pork is cooked add the diced onion and garlic to the pan. Lower the heat and sauté the onion and garlic until the onion is translucent making sure not to burn the garlic.
  5. Scrape the onion, garlic and pan drippings into the slow cooker.
  6. Add the remaining ingredients to the crock pot and mix well. Cover and cook for 8 to 10 hours on low.
  7. Once the pork has cooked remove the meat from the crock pot to a bowl or serving platter.
  8. To serve shred the meat and serve on warm tortillas with your favorite pork taco toppings.
Slow Cooked Pork Carnitas Recipe via flouronmyface.com

How to make crispy edges on crock pot pork carnitas

  • Browning pork meat In the slow cooker: One way to get the pork carnitas meat to brown on the edges is to make sure you don't completely cover the meat in the liquid in the crock pot.
  • Browning pork carnitas in the oven: Shred the cooked pork meat apart with a fork after it is done slow cooking in the crock pot, spread the meat out on a cookie sheet and broil it in the oven for a few minutes, occasionally tossing to brown all the edges evenly.
Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas recipe via flouronmyface.com

These pork Carnitas turned out juicy and tender. I just couldn't help myself.

I topped them with a homemade Pineapple Mango Salsa I canned last week.

I just couldn't stop eating them because they were so good.

Mexican Pulled Pork Carnitas recipe made in the crock pot slow cooker via flouronmyface.com

How To Make Sauce for Carnitas

Once the pork Carnitas are done slow cooking you can turn all those lovely juices from the crock pot into a carnitas sauce that can be spooned over the cooked pork.

  1. Strain the liquid from the crock pot into a saucepan and bring to a boil.
  2. Lower the heat and simmer the sauce until it reduces by half.
  3. Or mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with about 4 tablespoons of cool water. Add the cornstarch thickener to the boiling pot of carnitas juices. Stir well and bring it to a boil until thickened. Spoon over you pulled pork carnitas tacos.
Crock Pot Carnitas recipe- Mexican Pulled Pork recipe via flouronmyface.com

Recipe FAQS

Can you get the crispy edges on Crock Pot pork carnitas like traditional carnitas?

You won't get the same crispy edges when you make carnitas in a crock pot but it is easy to brown the meat in the oven before serving.

Expert Recipe Tips

  • Freeze the leftovers: Leftover carnitas meat can be frozen and reheated and eaten later.
  • Pork Freezer Meals: Or you can slow cook the pork and freeze dinner size portions for meals during the month. Slow cooked carnitas make a perfect pork freezer meal where you can cook it once and have the the pork on hand for a couple of other Mexican recipes later in the month.
  • Browning pork carnitas in the oven: If you like crispy edges you can brown the cooked meat in the oven. Spread the meat out on a cookie sheet and broil it in the oven on 400 F. degrees for a few minutes, occasionally tossing to brown all the edges evenly.

Making pork Carnitas in a Crock Pot is a delicious and straightforward meal that requires minimal effort to make succulent, fall-apart-tender meat that’s perfectly seasoned for tacos, burritos, salads, and more.

From prepping the meat, to layering the ingredients, to slow-cooking the dish, this Crock Pot Pork Carnitas recipe is one you’ll want to keep handy for when your craving authentic Mexican food.

With its savory taste, beautiful tender texture and endless meal options, this Carnitas recipe is sure to be a hit.

More Mexican Crock Pot Recipes

  • Overhead bowl filled with cornbread casserole with toppings.
    Crock Pot Mexican Cornbread Casserole
  • Overhead image of a bowl filled with Frito Taco Casserole topped with lettuce and salsa.
    Cheesy Frito Taco Casserole
  • Crock Pot Salsa Chicken recipe served with rice on a plate.
    Crock Pot Salsa Chicken Recipe
  • A square piece of Chicken Enchilada Casserole on a plate.
    Crock Pot Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Print the Crock Pot Carnitas Recipe below

Email questions or recipe requests to flouronmyface@gmail.com. Follow me on Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.

Tender shredded pork carnitas meat piled on a tortilla with salsa.

Crock Pot Pork Carnitas

Arlene Mobley - Flour On My Face
Making pork Carnitas in a Crock Pot is a delicious and straightforward meal that requires minimal effort to make succulent, fall-apart-tender meat that’s perfectly seasoned for tacos, burritos, salads, and more. Crock Pot Pork Carnitas can be made for dinner and then freeze the left overs to make pulled pork tacos, nachos or quesadillas later in the month.
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Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 4 hours hrs
Total Time 4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Cinco de Mayo, Mexican
Servings 10 servings
Calories 337 kcal

Ingredients  

  • 5 lb boneless pork shoulder (trimmed of fat and cut into large chunks)
  • salt and pepper
  • 4 tablespoons of butter or lard
  • 1 medium onion (diced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • ⅓ cup lime juice
  • 4 sprigs or 5 sprigs of fresh thyme or 2 teaspoons of dry thyme
  • 4 small bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano (crushed)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 2 cups of water
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Instructions 

  • Trim the pork shoulder of the excess fat from the outside, cut into large chunks and season with salt and pepper.
  • Heat a large skillet and melt the butter or lard in it.
  • Brown the chunks of pork in the melted butter turning to brown all sides. As the pork chunks turn golden brown move them to a 6 or 7 quart crock pot slow cooker.
  • Once all of the pork is browned add the diced onion and garlic to the pan. Lower the heat and sauté the onion and garlic until the onion is translucent making sure not to burn the garlic.
  • Scrape the onion, garlic and pan drippings into the slow cooker.
  • Add the remaining ingredients to the crock pot and mix well.
  • Cover and cook for 8 to 10 hours on low.
  • Once the pork has cooked remove the meat from the crock pot to a bowl or serving platter.
  • To serve shred the meat and serve on warm tortillas with your favorite pork taco toppings.

Recipe Expert Tips

  • Freeze the leftovers: Leftover carnitas meat can be frozen and reheated and eaten later.
  • Pork Freezer Meals: Or you can slow cook the pork and freeze dinner size portions for meals during the month. Slow cooked carnitas make a perfect pork freezer meal where you can cook it once and have the the pork on hand for a couple of other Mexican recipes later in the month.
  • Browning pork carnitas in the oven: If you like crispy edges you can brown the cooked meat in the oven. Spread the meat out on a cookie sheet and broil it in the oven on 400 F. degrees for a few minutes, occasionally tossing to brown all the edges evenly.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 337kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 51gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 148mgSodium: 400mgPotassium: 895mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 199IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Share a picture on Instagram and tag @flouronmyface2

Crock Pot Carnitas Can be used to make your favorite Mexican recipes

  • Pulled Pork Nachos
  • Pork Chalupas
  • Homemade Chimichangas 
  • Homemade Tamales
  • Pork Quesadillas 

Find more Crock Pot recipes on my Crock Pot recipe page!

More Pork Recipes

  • Sweet and Sour Pork with a mound of white rice served in a shallow teal colored bowl.
    Crock Pot Sweet and Sour Pork
  • A terra cotta bowl filled with tender Green Chile Pork served with white rice and topped with Salsa Verde.
    Green Chile Pork
  • Country style pork ribs on a brown dinner plate with potato salad and coleslaw.
    Country Style Pork Ribs (Instant Pot)
  • Pulled Pork Sandwich served with chips, coleslaw and a pickle wedge.
    Best Crock Pot Pulled Pork Sandwich Recipe
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About Arlene Mobley

Arlene Mobley author of Flour On My Face-a Food & Lifestyle website helping busy families get dinner on the table by serving easy recipes every week.

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Arlene Mobley Food & Lifestyle Blogger


Hi, I'm Arlene Mobley the cook & photographer here at Flour On My Face. I have been cooking for my family for over 35 years. I love sharing recipes to help busy families get dinner on the table. Learn more here

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