Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas is a Mexican style slow cooked pulled-pork served on burritos, tacos, salads, nachos and more. It is melt in your mouth delicious!

Seasoned and seared in a hot skillet, then placed in a crockpot to begin the slow cooking process. Onions, garlic and seasonings are added to the crockpot. Then we cook it on low for about 8 hours.

When the pork is ready you will be able to easily shred it apart with 2 forks. Completely shred the pork and serve however you like.

Ingredients you need to make Pork Carnitas:

Pork Roast - You'll need a one to two pound pork roast. Boneless or bone-in pork shoulder or butt both work great. If using bone-in be sure to remove the bone prior to shredding.

Garlic - Fresh garlic cloves are best. This recipe calls for three cloves minced. If you don't have fresh on hand substitute for 1 teaspoon garlic powder.

Onion - Half a yellow, white, red or sweet onion.

Lime - Half of a lime juiced, equivalent to about 1 teaspoon lime juice.

Orange - Half of an orange juiced, equivalent to about 2 tablespoon orange juice.

Apple Cider Vinegar - This will help to tenderize the pork while it cooks.

Soy Sauce - Low sodium or regular soy sauce work fine since we are only using one tablespoon.

Oil - Avocado, olive, canola or your favorite oil to sear the pork in.

Seasoning Blend: Dried Oregano + Salt + Ground/Cracked Black Pepper + Chili Powder + Garlic Powder + Ground Cumin

Tools to have on hand:

• Slow Cooker – To slow cook the roast in.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons – For properly measuring all of your ingredients.
• Skillet – For searing the roast prior to slow cooking.

How to make the best Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas:

In a small bowl, mix carnitas seasoning and rub all over the pork.

Heat oil in a skillet over high heat. Once your skillet is very hot, carefully sear the pork for about 30 seconds on each side until golden brown. Transfer to the slow cooker.

Add remaining ingredients to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on the low setting for 8-9 hours or on the high setting for 4-5 hours.

Once the pork is done, shred with two forks. Serve on tortillas with your favorite toppings! Enjoy!

How To Make Pork Carnitas In An Instant Pot:

After your sear the meat, transfer to your instant pot instead of the slow cooker. Cook on “high” or “manual” mode for 1 ½ hours. Let pressure release naturally when done (about 15 minutes). When done, shred pork with two forks.

What To Make With Pork Carnitas:

You can make so many different dishes with homemade pork carnitas! For example: Tacos, Enchiladas, Burritos, Burrito Bowls, Sandwiches, Tortas, Salads, Taquitos…and more!

Mexican side dishes to pair with carnitas, tacos, burritos, and more:

Instant Pot Mexican Refried Beans - The easiest, most delicious refried beans made in an instant pot (pressure cooker)! These beans take less than an hour to make from start to finish using raw whole pinto beans and no lard.

Mexican Rice - My Mexican Rice recipe is so flavorful and super easy to make. We make it almost every single week!

Best Homemade Guacamole - Delicious fresh guacamole recipe made with fresh avocados, tomatillos, jalapeno, cilantro and lime juice.

Mexican Sweet Corn Cake -  With only four ingredients, this corn cake is so easy to make and absolutely delicious!

This post was originally published on September 2, 2018 and updated on June 8, 2023.