Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas just in time for your fiesta! Whether you are cooking for a crowd or want a main dish that will stretch through several meals, break out your slow cooker for these delicious pork carnitas!
These authentic Mexican carnitas are the type you’ll find at the taquerias here in California.
Simple fresh ingredients that are filling and flavorful! No lettuce, cheese or sour cream touch these babies. Wrapped in a warm corn tortilla, these tacos are filled with shredded pork, pico de gallo, and a squeeze of lime juice.
That’s it! And this simple combination is keeping thousands of mom and pop taquerias thriving!
I bet this is the type of taco that fast food restaurant Taco Bell had in mind too. I remember when they sold a simple taco shell filled with a tablespoon of meat, two shreds of lettuce, and another shred of cheese that sold for 60 cents back in the 80’s. Those details stay with me because Alan’s first paycheck came from Taco Bell, and there may have been a few pit stops to the restaurant back then!
Alan still reminisces about those good ‘ole days, and explains to all those that get him talkin’ tacos about how the foods on the menu were made from scratch. They had to cook the pinto beans, shred the lettuce and cheese. Oh, and they served black olives in their foods! It has all gone to crap (sorry TB) since my husband left the company at a young 18 years of age. Fiery Dorito Locos Tacos grace their menu now…<sigh>.
Stick with authentic flavors and give this slow cooker pork carnitas a try!
This recipe is perfect for a Cinco de Mayo fiesta! The shredded pork can feed quite a few people, and you can leave the meat cooking all day while you tend to other dishes like a side of Spanish Rice.
You’ll also have extra time to dust off the blender for margarita mixing and don’t forget dessert! How does Kahlua Tres Leches Cupcakes sound?
This recipe calls for citrus, oregano, bay leaves and even a cinnamon stick that adds a unique tasty flavor. Sounds different, but it’s super flavorful! Trust me, you’ll be going back for second and third servings!
Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
Ingredients
Instructions
Bam's Kitchen
April 29, 2015 at 1:19 amSandra, your pork carnitas look seriously delicious and along with your salsa, just perfect for a fun weekend gathering. Pinned and shared!
Sandra Shaffer
April 30, 2015 at 7:26 amYou’re the best, Bobbi! That’s for always being so supportive 🙂
christine
April 29, 2015 at 8:20 amThese look delish Sandra. So fresh and delicious looking. Great recipe.
Sandra Shaffer
April 30, 2015 at 7:25 amThank you, Christine! This is one of those recipes that I keep going back to.
Rachael
April 29, 2015 at 8:53 amJust in time! I was needing a yummy way to cook the pork I have in my freezer! These look delicious!
Sandra Shaffer
April 30, 2015 at 7:25 amExcellent! I hope you get to use up your pork soon!
Nagi@RecipeTinEats
April 29, 2015 at 2:44 pmI had to pop over to have a read because carnitas is one of the most popular recipes on my blog! Ours are very similar. I love the addition of cinnamon!
Sandra Shaffer
April 30, 2015 at 7:23 amI saw your recipe, Nagi and I almost didn’t post mine because I thought, “oh, my gosh, that’s the most beautiful photo. Mine is ehhhh.” I got my courage back. 🙂
Renee's Kitchen Adventures
April 30, 2015 at 7:24 amI love pork carnitas but have never made them at home. Now I can. Thanks for sharing this recipe. Time to pull out that slow cooker!
The Food Hunter
April 30, 2015 at 8:14 amtotally dusting off my blender!
Erica (@Erica's Recipes)
April 30, 2015 at 12:38 pmI love love love carnitas and haven’t made them in like forever. I love that you included the cinnamon stick – I’m going to try that. Great recipe! …and sorry, but I love Dorito Locos Tacos 🙂
Choc Chip Uru
April 30, 2015 at 6:38 pmCarnitas are the best, they look very tasty 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Debra @ Bowl Me Over
May 1, 2015 at 4:18 amMmmm…..these look so good! Love that I can use the slow cooker too, yum!
Kristin @ Dizzy Busy and Hungry!
May 2, 2015 at 11:32 amI love that this is made in the slow cooker. This would be a great weeknight dinner for my family!
Joy @ Joy Love Food
May 2, 2015 at 3:20 pmI love making pork carnitas in the slow cooker, your version with the OJ and cinnamon sounds delicious!
Brandy M.
May 8, 2015 at 7:57 pmYour photos are so gorgeous! My slow cooker has a permanent spot on my counter and I’m always looking for new recipes. Tacos are a normal part of our menu so these will fit in nicely.
Sandra Shaffer
May 9, 2015 at 9:16 amGlad to offer another recipe so you can keep that slow cooker in use!
Stacey- Travel Blogger
May 11, 2015 at 12:39 pmI love slow cooker recipes! I’ll have to try this one out!
Dawn McAlexander
May 22, 2015 at 6:29 pmI love a good taco! This one looks really tasty! I will have to try it out!
Richa Gupta
February 12, 2018 at 5:35 amCarnitas are my favourite and they’d be perfect for a party! Can’t wait to try these out!
Madi
February 12, 2018 at 5:41 amSlow cooker meals are the best! I have to make this for dinner!
debi at Life Currents
January 26, 2019 at 7:06 amTacos are my favorite meal & carnitas are always a hit with my family!
Jennifer A Stewart
January 26, 2019 at 12:47 pmPork carnitas are a favorite of ours and we typically braise them in the oven but when I tried this recipe it was so much easier for me. No hot house from running the oven all day and with a crockpot liner clean up was even easier!
Julie Menghini
January 26, 2019 at 4:16 pmMy husband just asked what I wanted to dinner and I said CARNITAS! I can’t wait to try this recipe. We love Mexican inspired dishes and this one is so pretty too.
Sandra Shaffer
January 28, 2019 at 8:52 pmhaha! So glad these carnitas caught your eye…you’ll love the flavor and how easy it is to make.
Kylee from Kylee Cooks
January 27, 2019 at 7:42 pmmaking carnitas in the crockpot low and slow means these would be SO tender and full of flavor. Perfect for Taco Tuesday1
michele
January 27, 2019 at 8:02 pmThis meat is calling my name…simple ingredients full of flavor make for a delicious dinner !!
Amy Nash
January 27, 2019 at 9:45 pmCarnitas are one of my favorite Mexican foods! I love how easy this is to make and that I can use my slow cooker!
Sandra Shaffer
January 28, 2019 at 8:48 pmWe can’t eat enough carnitas! We never get tired of them and yes, super easy in a slow cooker.
Brandi
January 28, 2019 at 10:22 amAdding this to next weeks menu! Slow Cooker recipes like this are such time savers for our busy family! This looks SO GOOD!
Michaela Kenkel
January 29, 2019 at 7:56 pmWhen given the choice of what kind of tacos to order, Carnitas is ALWAYS my first pick! I can’t wait to try your recipe!!