If you are craving a dish that is bursting with bold flavors, effortlessly tender, and packed with warmth, then this Easy Crockpot Carnitas Recipe is exactly what your kitchen needs. Combining simple, accessible ingredients with slow-cooked perfection, it transforms humble pork shoulder into irresistible, melt-in-your-mouth carnitas that are perfect for tacos, bowls, or just digging in with a fork. The magic lies in the blend of fresh orange juice, fragrant oregano, and smoky cumin, slowly melding together over hours to create layers of taste that feel like a big, flavorful hug on your plate.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients is wonderfully straightforward, yet each one plays an essential role in crafting the rich, savory, and slightly citrusy profile of this recipe. The pork shoulder provides the juicy, tender base while the fresh and dried seasonings create a balanced, aromatic experience.
- Pork Shoulder (2 kg or 4 lbs), skinless and boneless: This cut is perfect for slow cooking due to its fat content and tenderness after long cooking.
- Salt (2 ½ teaspoons): Enhances all the flavors and helps tenderize the meat.
- Black Pepper (1 teaspoon): Adds just the right amount of bite without overpowering.
- Onion (1, chopped): Brings sweetness and depth as it cooks down slowly.
- Jalapeno (1, deseeded and chopped): Adds a gentle heat that complements the citrus and spices.
- Garlic (4 cloves, minced): Infuses the dish with its unmistakable aromatic punch.
- Fresh Orange Juice (¾ cup, about 2 oranges): Provides bright acidity and subtle sweetness that tenderizes the meat beautifully.
- Dried Oregano (1 tablespoon): Gives an earthy, slightly minty flavor synonymous with Mexican cuisine.
- Ground Cumin (2 teaspoons): Adds a warm, smoky earthiness that is essential to authentic carnitas.
- Olive Oil (1 tablespoon): Helps the spices form a delicious rub and retains moisture throughout cooking.
How to Make Easy Crockpot Carnitas Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Spice Rub
Start by combining dried oregano, ground cumin, and olive oil in a small bowl. This mixture forms a fragrant spice rub that will seep into the pork during the slow cooking process, ensuring every bite is bursting with flavor. It’s such a simple step but makes all the difference.
Step 2: Season the Pork
Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels to ensure the spice rub adheres well. Rub the spice mixture evenly all over the meat, coating every inch for maximum flavor penetration. Don’t rush this step; it’s the foundation of your Easy Crockpot Carnitas Recipe.
Step 3: Place Pork in Crockpot and Season
Lay the pork shoulder in your crockpot, then sprinkle salt and black pepper over the top. These seasonings not only enhance the natural flavors but also contribute to the delicious crust that develops after shredding.
Step 4: Add Aromatics
Scatter the chopped onion, jalapeno, and minced garlic on top of the meat. These ingredients release their unique flavors slowly during cooking, infusing the dish with complexity and a bit of heat that’s perfectly balanced by the citrus.
Step 5: Pour in Orange Juice
Carefully pour fresh orange juice over the ingredients in the crockpot. This juice is key—it helps break down the meat fibers to create that succulent tenderness everyone loves while adding an irresistible zesty brightness.
Step 6: Slow Cook to Perfection
Cover your crockpot and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-6 hours. The goal is to achieve pork that is so tender it easily shreds with a fork. This part requires patience but promises a deeply gratifying reward.
Step 7: Shred and Soak
Once cooked, carefully remove the pork from the crockpot and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded pork to the pot to mingle with the flavorful juices. This soaking step enriches the carnitas, making every bite juicy and packed with that signature taste.
How to Serve Easy Crockpot Carnitas Recipe
Garnishes
The beauty of carnitas is how adaptable it is to your favorite toppings. Fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, diced onions, thinly sliced radishes, and crumbled cotija cheese are classic garnishes that elevate the dish with bursts of freshness, acidity, and texture.
Side Dishes
Pairing your carnitas with simple sides like warm corn tortillas, homemade guacamole, pico de gallo, or even Mexican street corn complements the rich pork perfectly. You can’t go wrong with a side of black beans or a vibrant cabbage slaw for some crunch.
Creative Ways to Present
Don’t limit yourself to tacos! Easy Crockpot Carnitas Recipe is wonderful in burrito bowls layered on rice with beans and veggies, atop nachos with melted cheese and jalapenos, or even scrambled into eggs for a savory breakfast kickstart. The possibilities are endless and endlessly delicious.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover carnitas keep beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Keep the pork soaked in its cooking juices to preserve moisture and flavor. This way, whenever hunger strikes, you have a quick, tasty meal ready to go.
Freezing
For longer storage, easy crockpot carnitas freeze very well. Portion the shredded pork and juices into freezer-safe bags or containers, and it will last up to three months in the freezer. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for a hassle-free dinner.
Reheating
Reheat the carnitas slowly over low heat on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to maintain moisture. Careful reheating helps keep that tender texture intact, making it taste as fresh and vibrant as the day you made it.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of pork for this recipe?
Absolutely! While pork shoulder is preferred for its fat content and tenderness, pork butt or even pork loin can work. Just note that leaner cuts require careful cooking to avoid dryness.
Is it necessary to peel the pork shoulder?
Peeling the pork shoulder means removing the skin, which isn’t necessary for this recipe but often recommended. Skin-on cooking can create a different texture but may require some adjustments during shredding.
Can I make this recipe spicy?
Definitely! Keep the seeds in the jalapeno or add extra chili powder or cayenne pepper to the spice rub for an extra kick. Adjust according to your heat tolerance.
Do I need to use fresh orange juice?
Fresh orange juice is best for its natural sweetness and acidity, but you can use store-bought 100% orange juice if you’re in a pinch. Avoid juice cocktails with added sugars as they can alter the flavor.
Can I cook this in an Instant Pot instead of a crockpot?
Yes! Using the Instant Pot’s slow cooker function works well, or you can use the pressure cooker setting for faster results. Adjust cooking times accordingly—usually about 1 to 1 ½ hours on high pressure.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Crockpot Carnitas Recipe truly embodies comfort food at its finest—simple to prepare, deeply flavorful, and delightfully versatile. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week, it’s one of those meals that brings people together with its aroma and taste. I encourage you to give it a try and savor the joyous ease of having incredible carnitas ready when you want them most.
Print
Easy Crockpot Carnitas Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
This Easy Crockpot Carnitas recipe features tender, flavorful pork shoulder slow-cooked with a zesty blend of orange juice, cumin, oregano, and garlic. The slow cooking process yields juicy, shreddable meat perfect for tacos, burritos, or a tasty main dish with your favorite sides.
Ingredients
Meat
- 2 kg (4 lb) pork shoulder (pork butt), skinless, boneless (or 5 lb/2.5 kg bone-in)
Seasoning and Vegetables
- 2 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 jalapeno, deseeded and chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Spices
- ¾ cup fresh orange juice (about 2 oranges)
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the spice rub: In a small bowl, combine the dried oregano, ground cumin, and olive oil thoroughly to form a flavorful spice mixture.
- Season the pork: Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels and evenly rub the prepared spice mixture all over the meat for balanced flavor.
- Place pork in crockpot: Transfer the seasoned pork shoulder into the crockpot. Sprinkle the salt and black pepper evenly on top to enhance seasoning.
- Add vegetables: Spread the chopped onion, deseeded and chopped jalapeno, and minced garlic evenly over the pork inside the crockpot.
- Pour orange juice: Pour the fresh orange juice over the layered ingredients to add moisture and a citrusy flavor that helps tenderize the meat.
- Cook the carnitas: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-6 hours, until the pork is fork-tender and easily shredded.
- Shred the pork: Carefully remove the pork shoulder from the crockpot and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded pork to the crockpot juices to soak up extra flavor before serving.
Notes
- For best results, use skinless, boneless pork shoulder but if unavailable, bone-in works well.
- If you prefer spicier carnitas, leave the jalapeno seeds in or add extra jalapenos.
- The shredded pork can be broiled briefly after cooking to get crispy edges if desired.
- Leftover carnitas can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Serve with warm tortillas, fresh cilantro, diced onions, and lime wedges for classic tacos.
