These Slow Cooker Carnitas from the Fraîche Table Meal Plan are cooked low-and-slow in the crockpot for the most amazing, juicy, fall-apart tender goodness!
Do you only pull out your crockpot in cooler months? Well, not anymore.
Picture this: you toss all the ingredients into the crockpot before heading out for a busy, action-packed summer day. When you return home (tired and hungry) your house is filled with the yummy aromas of tender and juicy pork carnitas, ready to be devoured. Now that’s my idea of a summer meal—simple and satisfying!
Simple Dinners
Admittedly, I stole this recipe from within my Fraîche Table Meal Plan as a little gift for you. If you’re a member you already know: the recipes inside are 10/10. Fraîche Table is a digital meal plan, that takes care of ‘what’s for dinner’ so you can focus on what’s important: putting your feet up in the lounge chair as much as possible, all summer long.
As a busy working mom, the question ‘what’s for dinner?’ once brought tears to my eyes (and I’m a dietitian!). I was consistently frustrated and SO stressed over meals… sound relatable? I searched for something that could do the meal planning for me in a way that actually helped, and came up empty-handed. So, I decided to create it myself.
Learn more and give it a try for yourself at fraichetable.com, your first 10 days are always free!
What Are Carnitas?
Carnitas means ‘little meats’ in Spanish, and are a traditional Mexican pork dish. Typically made from pork butt or pork shoulder, the meat is braised or simmered for several hours until it becomes tender enough to shred. To finish, the meat is roasted to achieve a crispy texture.
Looking for a vegan alternative? Try my Jackfruit Carnitas Recipe!
What Kind of Pork Is Best for Crock Pot?
Both pork shoulder and pork butt work great for this carnitas recipe. They are tough cuts of pork that are perfect for long and slow cooking, like roasting and braising.
The slow cooker is the perfect method for making Carnitas, and cooking the pork slowly at a low temperature gives you a tender, flavourful, and delicious filling for tacos
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
- Herbs and spices: cumin, paprika, chili powder, oregano, salt, brown sugar and garlic.
- Pork Shoulder: this tough cut of meat is perfect for cooking low-and-slow. Pork butt works well too.
- Yellow Onion
- Jalapeño: adds just the right subtle bite.
- Fresh orange and lime: These help break down the meat so that it becomes super tender.
- Stock: to keep everything juicy and moist.”
Now, when it comes to taco toppings, I feel like things can get very personal! I love fresh avocado, Pickled Red Onions, cilantro, and a dash of my favourite hot sauce, but the options are limitless and uniquely your own.
What To Serve with Slow Cooker Carnitas
Here are some ideas for sides to serve alongside these carnitas:
- Chipotle Grilled Corn
- Taco Salad
- Cowboy Caviar Salad
- Guacamole and Chips
- Fresh Pico de Gallo and Chips
Slow Cooker Carnitas
Slow Cooker Carnitas
These Slow Cooker Carnitas from the Fraîche Table Meal Plan are cooked low-and-slow in the crockpot for the most amazing, juicy, fall-apart tender goodness!
Ingredients
For The Pork:
- 4 teaspoons cumin
- 4 teaspoons paprika
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- Salt (as desired)
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 4 lbs trimmed pork shoulder
- 8 smashed garlic cloves
- 2 peeled & quartered yellow onion
- 1 chopped jalapeño
- 2 oranges, juiced (save the rinds)
- 2 limes, juiced
- 2 cups stock (chicken or vegetable)
- 2 teaspoons oil
To Serve:
- 16 small tortillas
- crumbled feta optional topping
- roughly chopped cilantro optional topping
- sliced avocado optional topping
- Pickled red onions optional topping
Instructions
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In a small bowl stir together the cumin, paprika, chili powder, dried oregano, salt and brown sugar. Rub the spice mix on the pork, coating evenly on all sides. Add the pork to the slow cooker along with the garlic cloves, onion, jalapeño, orange juice (and rind), lime juice and stock. Cook on low for around 8 hours.
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Remove the pork from slow cooker and use two forks to shred the pork.
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Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat with the oil. When the pan is hot, add the pork along with around a ¼ cup of the liquid and cook 3-4 minutes until the pork is slightly crisp.
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Assemble the tacos with your desired toppings! I used feta, cilantro, avocado and pickled red onions.
Thank you for the inspiration, my husbands’s milestone birthday is coming up, I have decided to have a Mexican themed dinner with your pork carnitas as the star is the show.
Can I use chicken or vegetable broth or do I need to use chicken stock? Where can I find chicken stock?
Hi Debbie! This is the perfect dish for that! I have not tried with vegetable stock but it will work. I simply prefer the flavour of chicken stock! I get mine in the spice aisle at the grocery store and like the “Better Than Bouillon” brand.
Wishing an early happy birthday to your husband!!
xx Tori