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Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

Tender, juicy carnitas made easily in a slow cooker, perfect for tacos or burritos, bringing a fiesta of flavor to your dinner table.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 4 pounds pork shoulder (also known as pork butt)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • Juice of 2 limes
  • 1 cup chicken broth

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Start by trimming excess fat from the pork shoulder and cut it into large chunks to allow for even cooking.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the pork chunks on all sides until golden brown.
  3. Add the diced onions and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for a couple of minutes until fragrant.
  4. Sprinkle the cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and oregano over the mixture, stirring well to combine.
Cooking
  1. Transfer the meat and spice mixture into your slow cooker.
  2. Add the lime juice and chicken broth, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4-5 hours, until the pork is fork-tender.
Final Steps
  1. Once cooked, remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred with two forks.
  2. For extra deliciousness, spread the shredded pork on a baking sheet and broil for 5 minutes to crisp the edges.

Notes

This dish can be served with rice, guacamole, corn chips, salsa, or salad. For added flavor, consider seasoning and allowing the meat to marinate overnight before cooking.