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Tender Slow Cooker Carnitas Recipe with Crispy Edges Easy and Perfect

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A tender slow cooker carnitas recipe that delivers melt-in-your-mouth pork with crispy edges, perfect for tacos, burrito bowls, or casual family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3–4 lbs pork shoulder (Boston butt)
  • 1 large orange, juiced and zested
  • 1 large lime, juiced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp oregano (preferably Mexican oregano)
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ cup chicken broth (120 ml)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil

Instructions

  1. Trim excess fat from the pork shoulder, leaving some for flavor and tenderness. Cut into 3-4 large chunks for even cooking. (10 minutes)
  2. In a bowl, combine minced garlic, cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt, black pepper, orange zest, and juice from the orange and lime. Stir well. (5 minutes)
  3. Rub the seasoning mixture all over the pork chunks, making sure every side is covered. (5 minutes)
  4. Place diced onion and bay leaves at the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the seasoned pork on top. Pour chicken broth around the meat, avoiding pouring directly on pork to keep seasoning intact. (5 minutes)
  5. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 4-5 hours, until pork is ultra-tender and easy to shred with a fork. (6-8 hours)
  6. Remove pork from the slow cooker and place on a large plate or cutting board. Use two forks or hands (once cooled a bit) to shred into bite-sized pieces. Discard bay leaves. (10 minutes)
  7. Heat olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add shredded pork in batches, pressing down slightly. Cook undisturbed for 3-5 minutes until the bottom turns golden and crispy. Flip and repeat for more crispy edges. Alternatively, spread shredded pork on a rimmed baking sheet and broil for 5-7 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning. (15-20 minutes)
  8. Serve immediately with tortillas, salsa, and your favorite toppings.

Notes

Do not rush the crisping step to get the best crispy edges. Keep an eye when broiling to avoid burning. Save some cooking liquid to drizzle over carnitas for extra juiciness. Use a meat thermometer to ensure pork reaches 195°F (90°C) for shredding. This recipe is naturally gluten-free if chili powder and broth are verified gluten-free.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker carnitas, tender pork, crispy carnitas, easy carnitas recipe, Mexican pork, carnitas tacos, slow cooked pork

Find it online: https://jodierecipes.com/tender-slow-cooker-carnitas-recipe-with-crispy-edges-easy-and-perfect/