Description
This delicious Crock Pot Pork Carnitas recipe features tender, flavorful pork shoulder slow-cooked with a blend of spices, onions, jalapenos, and fresh orange juice. After slow cooking, the pork is shredded and crisped up in the oven for that perfect combination of juicy and crispy textures, making it ideal for tacos, burritos, or your favorite Mexican-inspired dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Rub Ingredients
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp chipotle chile powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
Main Ingredients
- 4 pound pork shoulder roast
- 1 white onion, roughly chopped
- 3 jalapeno peppers, whole
- 2 oranges (for juice and rind)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dry Rub: In a small bowl, combine ground cumin, chipotle chile powder, salt, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground black pepper. Mix well to create a blended seasoning.
- Set up the Crock Pot Base: Place the roughly chopped white onion and whole jalapeno peppers at the bottom of your crock pot. Squeeze the juice from the two oranges, and add both the juice and the orange rinds to the crock pot alongside the onions and jalapenos for a citrusy aroma and flavor.
- Season the Pork: Pat the pork shoulder roast dry, then coat it evenly on all sides with the dry rub mixture. Pat the seasoning firmly into the meat to ensure it adheres well. Place the pork roast on top of the onions and jalapenos in the crock pot. Pour any remaining orange juice over the roast.
- Slow Cook the Pork: Cover the crock pot and cook the pork on low heat for 7 to 9 hours, until the meat is very tender and easily pulls apart.
- Shred the Pork: Remove the pork roast carefully from the crock pot and shred it using two forks, discarding any large fatty pieces to achieve a leaner texture.
- Crisp the Carnitas: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Spread the shredded pork in a single thin layer on a large baking sheet. Bake for 6 to 10 minutes, or until the edges of the pork become crispy to your preference, checking to avoid burning.
- Prepare the Juices for Serving: Strain the cooking juices from the crock pot, discarding the onions, jalapenos, and orange rind. Spoon the strained juices over the crispy carnitas when serving to add extra flavor and moisture.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of chipotle chile powder based on your preferred spice level.
- For additional smokiness, consider adding a smoked paprika to the rub.
- Serve the carnitas with warm tortillas, fresh cilantro, diced onions, and lime wedges for an authentic experience.
- Leftover carnitas can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Make sure to shred the pork while it’s warm for easier shredding.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: pork carnitas, crock pot carnitas, slow cooker pork, Mexican pork recipe, shredded pork carnitas
