Carnitas, a traditional Mexican dish, translates to “little meats” and is known for its tender, flavorful, and crispy texture. This recipe leverages the convenience of a slow cooker to achieve perfectly seasoned pork that’s juicy on the inside and delightfully crispy on the outside. The slow cooking process allows the pork to absorb a rich blend of spices, while a final stint under the broiler ensures the coveted crispiness that makes carnitas irresistible. Whether you’re serving them in tacos, burritos, or on their own, these crispy slow cooker carnitas are sure to be a hit at any meal.
Ingredients:
- 4 pounds pork shoulder (pork butt), trimmed and cut into large chunks
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, quartered
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped
- 1 cup orange juice (about 2 oranges)
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions:
- Prepare the Pork:
- Season the pork chunks generously with salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, and coriander.
- Assemble in the Slow Cooker:
- Place the seasoned pork in the slow cooker. Add the minced garlic, quartered onion, chopped jalapeño, orange juice, lime juice, chicken broth, and bay leaves.
- Cook the Pork:
- Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or on high for 4-6 hours, until the pork is tender and easily shredded with a fork.
- Shred the Meat:
- Once cooked, remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Transfer the shredded meat to a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
- Crisp the Pork:
- Preheat your broiler. Spread the shredded pork evenly on the baking sheet and ladle about 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid over the top.
- Broil for 5-10 minutes, or until the edges of the pork become crispy and browned. Keep a close eye on it to avoid burning.
- Serve:
- Serve the crispy carnitas with warm tortillas, diced onions, fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and your favorite toppings.
Enjoy your delicious, crispy slow cooker carnitas!
