• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to privacy navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Jo Cooks

Simple - Easy - Comfort

Join my free recipe email club!
Free eBook
  • Recipe Index
  • Cookbook
  • ABOUT JO
  • Contact
  • Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter YouTube
  • Dinner Ideas
  • Instant Pot
  • Slow Cooker
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • One Pot
  • Desserts
Home / Recipes

Crockpot Pork Carnitas

8 hours 10 minutes
4.71 from 27 votes
39 Comments
Jump to RecipePrint Recipe
  • 264
  • 1488
by: Joanna Cismaru
02.22.20

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Crockpot Pork Carnitas – juicy, tender meat that will melt in your mouth. These pork are carnitas are incredibly simple to make and extremely versatile, perfect for tacos or burritos!

shredded pork carnitas in a bowl with a bowl of gravy in the background

I absolutely LOVE making pork carnitas, which is essentially just another way to say Mexican pulled pork. There is so much flavor in this meat, the pork will blow your mind. I make pork carnitas often because of their versatility. They are perfect for tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and enchiladas – to name a few.

I’ve discovered that these are much easier to make in a slow cooker, it requires very little effort. The beauty of cooking in a slow cooker is that you can basically throw all of your ingredients in it, set it and forget it. The end result is incredibly juicy, tender pieces of pork with unbelievable flavor.

What Are Carnitas?

Carnitas are a dish originated in Mexico. Carnitas actually means “little meats“, the Mexican version of pulled pork.

Carnitas are made by either braising or simmering pork in oil or sometimes, lard – until tender and then shredding it into small pieces to be used as a filling for a variety of Mexican dishes. The only difference between carnitas and pulled pork is that carnitas are typically put under a broiler after cooking to give the meat a crispy finish.

pork carnitas in a crockpot

Ingredients

Keep scrolling to the recipe card for a full list of ingredient amounts and instructions or click the “Jump to Recipe” button at the top of the page!

  • Pork – I used a pork shoulder.
  • Onion – Large, quartered.
  • Herbs and Spices – I used a blend of garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, onion powder and dried oregano.
  • Salt and Pepper – To taste.
  • Bay leaves – If you don’t have bay leaf, you can substitute 1/4 tsp. dried thyme or oregano for each leaf.
  • Cinnamon – I used a full stick. If you don’t have cinnamon sticks you can use whatever cinnamon you have in your pantry.
  • Orange Juice – You can use freshly squeezed or store bought.
  • Beer – I like using a light beer or lager. Modelo is a nice Mexican beer that works well.

How to make pork carnitas in the crockpot

  1. Cut Pork – Cut the pork shoulder into large 2 inch chunks. Trim some of the fat if needed.
  2. Cook Pork – In your crockpot add the rest of the ingredients and stir. Add the pork to the crockpot and stir. There should be enough liquid to cover the pork. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 5 hours.
  3. Shred Pork – Take 2 forks and start shredding the meat into smaller pieces. Pour some of the leftover liquid over the meat or strain the liquid and use it to make a gravy.
  4. Serve – Serve on tacos, burritos, tamales, sandwiches, etc.
wraps made with pork carnitas

The right cut of meat

The trick to getting perfect pork carnitas is using the right cut of meat! And in my opinion, that is pork shoulder or pork butt. The reason for this is because it’s a fattier cut of meat. I wouldn’t recommend using pork tenderloin since it can tend to turn out dry – you won’t end up with the same juicy, tender pork other cuts will render.

How to serve

You have options when it comes to crockpot pork carnitas! You can serve it as is, straight out of the crockpot – shredded on a bun, in a taco or wrap. If you want a little crispiness, pop the meat under the broiler. You can even make a gravy with the leftover juices! (See recipe notes for how to make gravy)

I loaded my burritos with the pork and then filled them with lettuce, red peppers, herbs (cilantro and dill), scrambled eggs, pickled beets, some with Sriracha, some with gravy and some with mayo – the ultimate breakfast burritos! You can go for a more traditional option if you’d prefer.

Can I make this in advance?

Absolutely! You can prep everything the night before, turn on your slow cooker and in the morning, your house will smell fabulous and you’ll have mouthwatering pork ready to be shredded for breakfast, lunch or dinner throughout the week!

a stack of wraps made with pork carnitas

Leftovers

Leftover pork should be stored in airtight containers or wrap tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Properly stored, your leftovers   will keep for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.

If you want to preserve the life of your leftovers, you can keep them in the freezer – sealed or tightly wrapped for up to three months. While the pork will keep longer, it will lose some of its texture quality.

crockpot pork carnitas in a bowl

More great recipes to try:

  • Beef Carnitas Tacos
  • Pork Carnitas
  • Pork Loin Roast
  • Spanish Rice with Ground Beef
  • Pork Fajitas
  • Mexican Stuffed Peppers
  • Brown Sugar Balsamic Pulled Pork
  • Cheesy Beef Quesadillas
  • Mexican Beef and Rice Casserole
  • Steak Fajitas
  • Pork and Balsamic Onion Quesadilla
  • Mexican Beer and Chicken Taco Casserole
  • Crockpot Mexican Chicken

Looking for more recipes? Follow on… My Newsletter Pinterest Facebook Instagram

side view shot of a bowl full of carnitas

Crockpot Pork Carnitas

4.71 from 27 votes
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 8 hrs
Total: 8 hrs 10 mins
Author: Joanna Cismaru
Serves: 8
Print Pin Rate
These Crockpot Pork Carnitas are full of incredible flavor and so easy to make. They are super versatile and perfect for tacos or burritos!

Equipment

  • 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker

Ingredients

  • 4 lb pork shoulder
  • 1 large onion quartered
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp cumin
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp oregano dried
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 stick cinnamon
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 12 oz beer
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Cut the pork shoulder into large 2 inch chunks. Trim some of the fat if needed.
  • In your crockpot add the rest of the ingredients and stir. Add the pork to the crockpot and stir. There should be enough liquid to cover the pork.
  • Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 5 hours.
  • Remove the pork from the slow cooker using a slotted spoon. Take 2 forks and start shredding the meat into smaller pieces. Pour some of the leftover liquid over the meat or strain the liquid and use it to make a gravy. See notes for instructions.
  • Serve on tacos, burritos, tamales, sandwiches, etc.

Recipe Notes

  1. To make a gravy from the leftover juices, strain the liquid through a sieve. Add the liquid to a saucepan and sprinkle 2 to 3 tbsp of all-purpose flour over it. Whisk it vigorously until smooth and comes to a boil, over medium heat.
  2. If you wanted crispy pork carnitas, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spread the pulled pork over the prepared baking sheet and place it under the broiler for about 3 to 5 minutes or until crispy.
  3. Store pork carnitas leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 5 days.
  4. Nutritional information is only for the pork caritas, not for the burritos. Calories for burritos can vary greatly based on ingredients used.
  5. Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 341kcal (17%)Carbohydrates: 9g (3%)Protein: 52g (104%)Fat: 8g (12%)Saturated Fat: 2g (13%)Cholesterol: 136mg (45%)Sodium: 434mg (19%)Potassium: 1011mg (29%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 3g (3%)Vitamin A: 370IU (7%)Vitamin C: 17mg (21%)Calcium: 44mg (4%)Iron: 3mg (17%)
Course:Main Course
Cuisine:Mexican
Keyword:crockpot pork carnitas, crockpot recipes, pork carnitas
Tried this recipe? Rate it belowtag @jocooks on instagram and hashtag it #jocooks!

Meet Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

30 recipes from around the world cover.

Never miss a recipe!

Subscribe and get a FREE dinner recipes ebook!

a plate of kale and quinoa salad with a fork resting on the plate
Previous Post
Kale and Quinoa Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
side view show of a bowl full of braised pork with sweet soy sauce
Next Post
Braised Pork in Sweet Soy Sauce

Primary Sidebar

Joanna Cismaru

Hey there!

I'm Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More…

My Cookbook

Order Now: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indie Bound | Books-A-Million

Never miss a recipe!

Subscribe and get a FREE dinner recipes ebook!

Sign me up

Christmas Favorites

overhead shot of sliced brined roast turkey breast surrounded by roasted veggies and rosemary sprigs on a serving plate

Brined Roast Turkey Breast

side view shot of sliced turkey breast drizzled with gravy atop a pile of mashed potatoes on a plate garnished with fresh cranberries

Instant Pot Turkey Breast

side view shot of a stack of shortbread cookies

Classic Shortbread Cookies

side view shot of christmas morning wife saver with two pieces missing

Christmas Morning Wife Saver

a prime rib roast sliced on a plate

Prime Rib Roast

christmas menu guide collage

Easy Whole Day Christmas Menu

overhead shot of crescent bacon breakfast ring

Crescent Bacon Breakfast Ring

brown sugar cola glazed ham in a black crockpot

Crockpot Brown Sugar Cola Glazed Ham

Popular Now

overhead shot of a bowl of instant pot chicken noodle soup

Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

side view shot of stuffed shells in a baking dish with a serving spoon taking a scoop

Stuffed Shells

side view shot of tongs holding up a scoop of aglio e olio from a pot

Aglio e Olio

a white bowl full with american goulash and a fork inside stacked on top of an empty bowl

American Goulash (Chop Suey)

two roasted cornish hens in a roasting pan with sprigs of rosemary and lemon slices

Roasted Cornish Hens

a piece of roast beef cut into slices on a cutting board

Roast Beef

sideview shot of butter chicken on a plate over white rice garnished with parsley

Butter Chicken

close up shot of a serving spoon taking a portion of cabbage roll casserole

Cabbage Roll Casserole

Jo Cooks...

Flavors from around the world

No matter what household we have all grown up in, there is something that has brought us all together here and that is a love and appreciation of food. Food that is from cultures and cuisines across the world has always been a staple of the blog. I'm excited to bring you all a taste of each corner of the earth, every last bite seasoned to perfection and served up with love - from my kitchen to yours.
freshly made korean beef stir fry in a serving platter.

Asian

a bunch of amaretti cookies on parchment paper with almonds.

Italian

mexican wedding cookies on parchment paper.

Mexican

closeup of chicken with creamy mushroom sauce.

Romanian

sideview shot of butter chicken on a plate over white rice garnished with parsley

Indian

a chicken gyro wrapped in paper and topped with lots of tzatziki sauce with another gyro in the background

Middle Eastern

Trending Now

overhead shot of oven baked chicken breasts in a baking dish

Baked Chicken Breast

overhead shot of oven baked chicken thighs in a pan

Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

a whole roast chicken surrounded by potatoes

Roast Chicken

a prime rib roast sliced on a plate

Prime Rib Roast

Browse All
  • Easy Dinners
  • Instant Pot
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • Chicken Recipes
  • Desserts
  • Recipe Index

Featured On

today logo.
huffpost logo.
the washington post logo.
jezebel logo.
countryliving logo.
good housekeeping logo.
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter YouTube
  • Recipe Index
  • Cookbook
  • About Jo
  • Contact
  • visit my other site: Craving Home Cooked
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
© 2020 · All Rights Reserved · Back to Top
Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window

Subscribe and get a free dinner recipes ebook!

45742shares
  • 264
  • 3
  • 1488