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Home » Entrees

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

09/15/2016 Updated: 10/08/2018 By Karrie 15 Comments

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Pork Carnitas are tender, richly flavored pieces of crispy pork that just melt in your mouth.   So easy and effortless to make with the slow cooker, you can celebrate Taco Tuesday any day of the week.

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

A flavorful and super easy pork slow cooker recipe

It's Taco Thursday y'all so let's all celebrate by making some easy carnitas.  Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas may be the best taco filling EVER to grace a fresh tortilla.  Tender and flavorful pieces of crispy pork that just melt in your mouth.

Add simple toppings like fresh chopped cilantro and onions with a touch of salsa and you've got some yummy eats!

Slow Cooker Pork CarnitasY'all are probably thinking..."What's up with the Taco Thursday?  It's Taco Tuesday that everyone knows and loves"

I freakin' LOVE #tacotuesday and, if you follow my Instagram account, you know how much I partake in the weekly event, BUT...confession time...I'll eat tacos any day of the week, not just on Tuesday.

Yeah, that's what I said.

Any. Day. Of. The Week.

I don't care what dang day it is, if I want tacos then Mama gets tacos!

Slow Cooker Pork CarnitasI agree, it's pretty damn cool having a specific day of the week reserved just for taco eating; however, I predict there will be a major humanitarian crisis in this country if we continue to act like tacos should be eaten only on a day of the week that starts with a "T".

After all, let's think about the children...

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas(a big thanks to Dawn/Girl Heart Food for sending me that taco meme)

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

A crockpot pork recipe for the best tacos

So basically this pork carnita recipe of crock pot tacos are my contribution to society.  An easy and delicious way to make a pretty healthy porkalicious filling for all the pork tacos (and it's a super easy slow cooker recipe to have around).

AND it can be made any day of the week!  Woooohoooo!  Humanitarian crisis adverted.  You're welcome society.

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas can be served in tacos, burritos, on salads, in a sandwich, or on their own.  There's all sorts of wonderful things to do with the leftovers too, like nachos (classic), hash (with sweet potatoes. YUM!), and my favorite...an omelet with a super melty cheese inside.

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

Don't eat pork?  Try this filling for beef tacos:  Slow Cooker Cholula Shredded Beef Tacos

So remember my friends, live every day like it's Taco Tuesday and enjoy these Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas.  Tell me what is your favorite taco is the comments below!

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

The easiest recipe for pork carnitas ever!  Tender and flavorful pieces of crispy pork that just melt in your mouth.  So easy and effortless, you can celebrate Taco Tuesday any day of the week.
5 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Entree
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 325kcal
Author: Karrie | Tasty Ever After

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds of a well marbled boneless pork butt , preferably farm raised and grass-fed
  • 2 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons dried cumin
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • 2 medium fresh garlic cloves , peeled and minced
  • 1 cup beer
  • 1 whole fresh lime , juiced

Optional accompaniments: fresh chopped cilantro, diced onions, salsa and guacamole

    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Cut the pork into large 4 inch pieces and place them in the bottom of a slow cooker/crock pot.
    • In a small bowl, mix together the chili powder, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle mixture over the pork pieces and add the minced garlic. Using a spoon or hands, coat the pork with the spices and the garlic . Pour the beer and lime juice all over the seasoned pork. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours.
    • Preheat the oven broiler. Remove the cooked pork pieces from the slow cooker and place on a large baking sheet (can cover with foil to make clean up easy!). Using two forks, gently pull apart or shred the large pork pieces and spread out across the baking sheet. Place under the preheated broiler until pork turns crispy on one side. Remove and serve immediately.
    • To serve: stack 1 or 2 warmed corn tortillas on top of each other, fill with the desired amount of shredded pork and top with favorite accompaniments.
    Nutrition Facts
    Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 325 Calories from Fat 117
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 13g20%
    Saturated Fat 4g20%
    Cholesterol 136mg45%
    Sodium 618mg26%
    Potassium 841mg24%
    Carbohydrates 3g1%
    Fiber 1g4%
    Protein 43g86%
    Vitamin A 610IU12%
    Vitamin C 2.6mg3%
    Calcium 57mg6%
    Iron 3.7mg21%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe? Tag me today!Mention @tastyeverafter or tag #tastyeverafter

    Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

     

    Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

     

    More Entrées

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    • Braised Beef Brisket
    • Shredded Beef Tacos {only 2 ingredients!}
    • Best Vegetarian Chili Frito Pie Recipe

     ©  Tasty Ever After  All images and content are copyright protected, so please do not copy or claim my work as your own.  Please do not use any images or republish this recipe without prior permission.  If you want to reference this recipe, link directly back to this post.  Thank you.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gnyce

      August 26, 2020 at 2:39 pm

      How long should I cook 2 lbs of the pork for? 2 hours?

      Reply
      • Karrie

        August 26, 2020 at 4:39 pm

        Hi Gnyce, I've made this before with less meat and it still took the same amount of cooking time that's indicated for the 4 pounds (4 hours on high), due to the toughness of the meat. If you like, you can check it after 3 hours to see if it's tender enough, but if it's not, by opening the lid you'll add a little more time to the remaining cooking time. Let me know how it turns out for you!

        Reply
    2. Ben Maclain

      September 21, 2016 at 6:12 pm

      5 stars
      Yup, indeed I've been asking yourself this question recently. Why tacos? Why Tuesday? Why not Suturday? Why don't I follow this tradition? Finally, why don't I eat tacos at all? I think this question needs further investigation. Please, look into this and report in a next taco post, Karrie. Also, you can voluntarily send some tacos to me:)

      Reply
    3. GiGi Eats

      September 21, 2016 at 1:59 pm

      5 stars
      I just got a slow cooker in the mail for the wedding registry!!!! WOO WOO! I can make lots and lots of slowwwwww cooked meats that will MELT in my mouth - much like your carnitas!

      Reply
    4. Beeta @ Mon Petit Four

      September 20, 2016 at 7:14 pm

      HECK YES! Can we just live together and I can eat everything you make??? I've been waiting for some pork to go on sale at my local market so I can just make a s**tload of carnitas! haha I could eat these tacos erryday, gurl. <3<3

      Reply
    5. Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen

      September 20, 2016 at 4:20 am

      We love tacos around here, so needless to say that we can have them on any day of the week or perhaps on all days ! These slow cooker pork carnitas sound absolutely wonderful. Love how juicy and tender they are. And also how easy it is! Have a lovely week ahead.

      Reply
    6. Stephanie | The Foodie and The Fix

      September 18, 2016 at 4:17 pm

      5 stars
      Yasss!!! Tacos every day! Seriously, we MUST think of the children! These carnitas look absolutely perfect! It's definitely the time of year when I love to pull out my slow-cooker for pretty much all the things. Yum!

      Reply
    7. Kushi

      September 17, 2016 at 1:32 pm

      Beautiful clicks and lovely recipe . Looks so delicious. Bookmarked. Going to try this soon

      Reply
    8. Katie Crenshaw

      September 17, 2016 at 9:05 am

      I am with you, Karrie! I think we should also have a #TacoThursday and eat them everyday of the week. This post cracked me up. You brightened my day. I love a good crockpot recipe. Lately I am in the car in the evenings, so if I want a home cooked meal, I have to make it ahead. My trials with reheating haven't been so fabulous. But if it is in the crockpot.... It will be perfectly waiting for me at home. Putting this on my weeknight supper routine. Thanks for the recipe and the giggles! ????

      Reply
    9. Heather Wells

      September 16, 2016 at 2:05 pm

      5 stars
      Your the meanest friend. Pork. My favorite. Taco. My favorite. Together... ultimate favorite. I hate you.

      Reply
    10. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary

      September 16, 2016 at 11:25 am

      5 stars
      Bahahahahaha! Ohhh, guurl you crack me up! I LOVE that meme Dawn sent you!! And I 100% support your message - tacos all day, EVERY day! You should march at the capital or something with protest signs. Anyways, LOVE me some carnitas! Seriously, they are like lil nuggets of culinary crack - SO DELICIOUS! Love that you made them easy peasy with the slow cooker! Now I truly can have tacos every day of the week - and THAT my friend is winning at life! Pinned! Cheers! xoxo

      Reply
    11. Nicoletta @sugarlovespices

      September 16, 2016 at 2:18 am

      I so agree on not having a wonderful dish like tacos confined to one day of the week. I don't like labels that much and following the main stream, so bring it on! The tacos look fantastic, you did a great job because you're making me hungry only by looking at them!

      Reply
    12. Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks

      September 15, 2016 at 10:27 am

      Girl, tacos are perfect for every dang day of the week! Thanks for saving the world with these slow cooker pork carnitas! You are the queen of the memes!

      Reply
    13. Dawn @ Girl Heart Food

      September 15, 2016 at 9:35 am

      Well, hellooooo there beauties!! Thanks for the shout out there, Karrie! You da best, girl I'm right there with ya, tacos every day, all day! These pork carnitas look wicked! And that raw onion and cilantro on top? Perfect. I'm so glad you solved a humanitarian crisis. I mean, what would we do without ya? I know one thing's for certain-we wouldn't be stuffing our face with these delicious bites!! I love your suggestion of using the leftover pork in hash! That sounds like a deadly breakfast. But I don't know if there's be any leftover, lol Pinning, of course . Woo hoo for Taco Thursday! Xoxo

      Reply
    14. Gaila Perez

      September 15, 2016 at 9:35 am

      5 stars
      Karrie!! I am with you! in my house is taco any day of the week..even several days a week! and your carnitas are looking mighty good!! another success! hugs!

      Reply

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