Hola everyone! Slow cooker authentic Mexican pork carnitas is what I am making today. This is like the Mexican version of pulled pork that you crisp in the oven. The smell is filling my house and I am getting HUNGRY. I said to myself "I am going through all this trouble, why not blog about it, right?" There is nothing like killing two birds with one stone.
While the smell of carnitas fills my kitchen I am trying to find carnitas culinary equivalent. Those who know me well know that I am always tying to find food parallels, a culinary kin.
Similar dishes to carnitas:
Carnitas means “little meats” in Spanish and originated in the southwest state of Michoacan, MX. It’s a super tender, fall-apart meat, which exists in many different cultures. So, here I go, authentic Mexican pork carnitas are really the first cousin to pulled pork, a US favorite. Its Latin American/Caribbean counterpart is definitely pernil which is made with pork shoulder rather than pork butt. Authentic Mexican pork carnitas can also be Cuban ropa vieja's second cousin.
Now, in Mexico, there is another close relative to the authentic Mexican pork carnitas called "cochinita pibil", a dish of Mayan origin cooked with achiote paste and herbs. Achiote paste is made with annatto seeds, mixed with many herbs and spices such as cumin, oregano, and cinnamon.
In the U.S., you can find carnitas at chains like Chipotle or Qdoba. But you can find even better carnitas at authentic taquerias. Your tacos will be filled to the brim with this delicious Mexican pulled pork, cooked to tender perfection.
The traditional way of cooking this dish is by seasoning the pig and burying it in the ground. I don't think I'll be doing something similar any time soon, what will the neighbors say?
Traditional Cooking Methods
I read that authentic Mexican pork carnitas are traditionally cooked in a copper pot because copper distributes the heat evenly. Who would have thought? Luckily for most of us, there are many alternatives to cooking your carnitas in a copper pot. Don't worry, I don't have one. I actually like to use my slow cooker because I get to enjoy the beautiful aromas that slowly fill every corner of my kitchen.
I have also removed lard as an ingredient but the flavors are the same. No lard makes the dish much healthier. If you don’t have a slow cooker, feel free to use your sturdy Dutch Oven instead. Dutch Ovens retain a lot of consistent heat, and are built to cook for hours at a time. Just be sure you’ll be at home to keep an eye on it.
After the carnitas are nice and cooked to fork tender, I shred them with two forks, and then lay them out on a baking sheet, and broil for 5 minutes or so. They get a nice golden look on top, not to mention a yummy crispiness for your carnitas tacos.
Now, you would expect that something that tastes this good has to have a secret ingredient, or lots of ingredients. Actually, authentic Mexican pork carnitas is such a humble dish that you probably have everything you need in your fridge and pantry. I also like to use my very own chili powder blend. If you work from home, you can simply throw it all together in the morning and have it ready for dinner time. Or save this special recipe for the weekend. Put your ingredients in the slow cooker, run some errands, and come home to the amazing aroma of carnitas after your day out.
Step by step photos:
- Place the pork shoulder in the slow cooker then sprinkle on the spice mixture.
- Add the onions, garlic and bay leaves.
- Add the lime slices and be sure you peel them and discard the rind.
- Add 1 cup of water and cook on high for 6 hours. Flip the shoulder every couple hours.
- Check it after 5 hours and let it cook until the meat separates easily with a fork. So tender!
- Once the shoulder is fork tender shred it with a couple forks on a cutting board. Set your oven on broil while shredding.
- Place the shredded pork on a baking tray and slide under the broiler.
- Broil for 5 minutes or if you like it really crispy leave it a bit longer but keep an eye on it.
Carnitas are so versatile because you can use them for tacos, tostadas, burritos, tamales, and even nachos. Wow! Tonight we're enjoying carnitas with tortilla shells, and all the fixings.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I freeze the pork carnitas for later use? Yes, set aside and portion the amount you want to freeze before you get it crispy under the broiler. Allow the pork to completely cool and store in air tight freezer containers for 1-2 months. If you vacuum pack it will last over 12 months.
- How long will the pork last in the refrigerator for leftovers? If properly stored in airtight containers the pork should be used in 3-4 days.
- Can I make this in the oven? Yes, you can place all the ingredients in a roaster or large oven safe Dutch oven. Preheat the oven to 300°F and cook covered for 3 hours then flip the pork over and cook for 2 more hours. It should be fork tender and separate easily when done.
- What else can I make with the pork carnitas? Our favorite dishes to make are tacos with lettuce, cilantro, tomato and onion. You can also make quesadillas, tostadas and burritos with your choice of fillings.
- How do I adjust the recipe up or down? You can simply click on the number right next to: Servings: Change to adjust. Increase or decrease this number to your desired number of servings.
If you love Latin food then you have to try some of my all time favorite dishes or bookmark them for later. Here are some of the most popular ethnic dishes, their history and ingredients to make at home.
Cuban Ropa Vieja: A true comfort food of slow cooked beef served over rice.
Recaito: This is the cilantro based ingredient used in many Latin soups, stews and black beans.
Sofrito: You need to have this tomato based ingredient for Latin style beans and shredded chicken.
Latin Style or Cuban Black Beans: If you have never tried these you are missing out and they are so easy!
Tilapia Ceviche: A citrus cured fish or shrimp appetizer with some kick.
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Authentic Mexican Pork Carnitas Recipe Card
Slow cooker tender and delicious with a nice crispy finish! You will love these authentic Mexican pork carnitas! Super easy to make in the slow cooker and then crisp up in the oven.
Ingredients
- 6 lb pork shoulder or butt
- 1 onion medium, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp oregano dried
- 3 tsp cumin ground
- ½ tsp black pepper ground
- 2 tsp Kosher salt
- 2 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon ground
- 2 limes sliced sliced with rind removed
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- In a small bowl place oregano, cumin, black pepper, salt, chili powder,and cinnamon, then mix thoroughly.
- Put the pork shoulder in the slow cooker and add the onion, garlic, limes, bay leaves, water and spice mixture.
Cover and cook for 6 hours on high. Flip over every couple hours in the slow cooker. Check after 5 hours or so and cook until it separates easily with a fork.
Heat oven on broiler.
- Move meat to a large cutting board and using two forks begin the shred the meat.
Place the meat in a single layer on a baking tray, and broil for about 5 minutes.
Serve with flour or corn tortillas, lettuce, tomato, sour cream and hot sauce.
Recipe Notes
FAQs:
Q: Can I freeze the pork carnitas for later use?
A: Yes, set aside and portion the amount you want to freeze before you get it crispy under the broiler. Allow the pork to completely cool and store in air tight freezer containers for 1-2 months. If you vacuum pack, it will last over 12 months.
Q: Can I make this in the oven?
A: Yes, you can place all the ingredients in a roaster or large oven safe Dutch oven. Preheat the oven to 300°F and cook covered for 3 hours then flip the pork over and cook another 2 hours. It should be fork tender and separate easily when done.
Q: What else can I make with the pork carnitas?
A: Our favorite dishes to make are tacos with lettuce, cilantro, tomato, queso fresco and onion. You can also make quesadillas, tostadas and burritos with your choice of fillings.
Brittney
This looks delicious! I'm going to make this tomorrow night! What kind of sauce did you put on top of the tacos?
Brittney
Also, where did you buy the pork shoulder? Are there any alternatives?
Analida
I bought it at the grocery store. Pork shoulder is the same as pork butt if this helps. I have never used a substitute. Hope this helps.
Analida
I just put some sour cream in a plastic bag and squeezed some out. When I ate them I used hot sauce.
Katrina
Hello, I am making this as I write. I realized however this recipe did not call for browning in a pan prior to placing in a crock pot. Beyond providing color, a lot of crock pot recipes call for this, and I assume it is to compensate for the very slow cooking speed in a crock pot. Will this really be cooked through in 6 hours?
Thank you,
Katrina
Carol
Carnitas are my favorite and this slow cooker recipe is great! My family loved it! Thanks so much!
Analida
Carol, you are so welcome. I am so glad your family enjoyed it. It is a favorite at our house.
Heidi
Second time I have made this recipe. It is so the Carnitas I love. I did add the manteca large chicharrones drizzled over all then broiled. Tastes just like the carnitas we get at our favorite taqueiria!
Lilly
What was all the extra ingredients you added? Is that something you can buy at a store?
Heidi Brydone-Jack
Second time I have made this recipe. It is so the Carnitas I love. I did add the manteca large chicharrones drizzled over all then broiled. Tastes just like the carnitas we get at our favorite taqueiria!
Analida
I am so happy you like this recipe. The manteca large chicharrones sounds like a delicious touch. 🙂
Thanks for the rating also.
Staci Castle
Delicious! Great flavor. My family devoured the carnitas! The spices were fantastic.
Analida
Thanks Staci! It is a favorite at my house as well. 🙂
Charlotte Knudsen
Hi Analida, I'm only pretending to be a cook. So if its not clear instructions I'm useless in the kitchen. The instructions say "In a small bowl place oregano, cumin, black pepper, salt, chili powder and cinnamon, then mix thoroughly." Do i cover the pork like dry rub or just add to the crock-pot with the other ingredients?
Analida
Hi Charlotte! That is a really good question. It doesn't really matter, but if you prefer specifics, rubbing the pork is better.
Will
I've made these about 10 times now since discovering this site last year. Amazing, everyone has loved them. Thank you!
Analida
Thanks Will! I am glad everyone likes them.
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
We love Mexican food. These would be fun for a weekend feast. Perfect for serving to company for a "stress free" fun meal.
Analida
Hi Gloria! Yes they would be fun for a crowd, and totally stress free. Just let everyone make their own, and you can relax! 🙂
Abby @ WinsteadWandering
You're right, I do have all the ingredients to make this recipe! I had no idea authentic carnitas were so easy.
Analida
Hi Abby! They are so easy to make, and perfect for a crowd. Let me know how you like them. 🙂
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago
These look delicious and I love that they are made in a slow cooker!
Analida
Thanks Kathryn! Yes, the slow cooker method is a plus!
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
Love, love, love carnitas! So much flavor packed into a flour wrap. I like the idea of making them in a slow cooker -- easier to cook and you don't have to worry about them. We need a carnitas night here.
Analida
Yes, the slow cooker is the best part. You can use carnitas in so many ways. Make nachos, or sliders too! 🙂
Donna
Well I am trying these out this week!! They sound so amazing, and I agree with you on the love of the slow cooker and the smells that reach every corner of the house when it's used!! Yum
Analida
Hi Donna! Let me know how you like it. Make other stuff with them too. Nachos? sliders? The possibilities are endless. 🙂
Jodie Morgan
I love making carnitas in the slow cooker. It's a family favorite! These looks delish. Thanks for sharing!
Analida
Hi Jodie! So glad to hear that your family loves carnitas. They are so good. You are welcome!
Renee Gardner
These carnitas look amazing!!
Analida
Thank you Renee. They are yummy!
Theresa Hackett
Hello, I have a 2.5# pork. Your recipe calls for a 6# pork. Would it be safe to say i can cut the ingredients in half for a smaller pork.. this looks yummy but worried about ingredient amounts. Thank you!
Analida
I would say it is safe to cut the ingredients accordingly. You can always adjust if you feel it is under-seasoned.
william
Any idea of cook time for 2.5lbs? 6 lbs is alot to cook for 2 people.
Analida
I would check it at 3 to 4 hours and what you are looking for is the meat to be fork tender and come apart. Once it comes apart you can remove from it the slow cooker and it will shred easily. Let me know how you like it! Thanks! I LOVE cooking questions.
Sean Hutton
Great recipe! I made for the family tonight, and they came out absolutely perfect! I will definitely be using your recipe again. The spice blend was perfect!
Analida
Hi Sean! Thanks for commenting. I am so glad that the carnitas came out great for you. Glad you liked the spice blend. 🙂
George J Pfiefer
Good recipe EXCEPT for the cinnamin. Not a good ingredient for carnitas!
Analida
George, thanks for your input. The cinnamon is merely an accent. I have a friend who is a chef and I took a few classes with him. He always recommends adding a small amount of a spice that might not be typical of that dish to bring about an interesting depth in the flavor profile. You can certainly omit it if you don't think it will taste right. As I always say: A recipe is just a suggestion. 🙂
Rebecca C
Turned out great! My boys said they need more salt, but I thought they were perfect. I rubbed the mixture onto the pork and it was very flavorful. I will definitely make these again.
Analida
Rebecca, so glad your family liked the pork carnitas. I think kids like salty things. I always say that it's easier to add salt to a dish that to take away if it is too salty. 🙂
nina
Hello, do you use a boneless pork shoulder? And do you trim as much fat as possible or do you leave it on?
Thanks!
Analida
Hi Nina, I bought a bone-in pork shoulder. However, if this doesn't work for you use a boneless one. As for the fat, trim off as much as possible before you put it in the slow cooker. I hope this helps.
Georgina
Thank you for sharing, carnitas is one of my favorites. I'd like to know if you ever do anything with the left over juices. Seems to be a waste to toss it out. Thanks again, Georgina
Analida
Hi Georgina! I am so glad you like carnitas. As for the leftover juices, you can first freeze/refrigerate it, and then skim the fat. After you skim it, you can reduce it and use it as a sauce for the carnitas. Another idea is after it is skimmed, you can use it to make rice instead of broth or water. I hope this helps.
Jeremy W.
Hi Analida,
I tried your Carnitas recipe and it was awesome. I didn't have a broiler pan so I wasn't able to get the crispy part but it was still great. Is carnitas the same as pulled pork? If I use the same spices and smoke it, will I get the same results?
Analida
I would think it would be very similar but with the added smokey flavor. My husband always puts a tray of water in the bottom of our smoker to add some moisture while smoking pork shoulder so it does not dry out. If you have a baking safe dish, baking tray or cookie sheet you can crisp up a some of the pork on broil as well in the oven. I am so glad you liked them!
Jennett Swan
This recipe is so delicious and authentic! I love using my crock pot in the summer because it's so hot here, in AZ. Instead of placing the meat under the broiler. I quickly "stir-fry" it in my wok. It's too hot to turn on the oven and I attain the same crispy edges as using the broiler. It's a huge favorite at my house. Thank you for sharing Analida!
Analida
Hi Jennette,
I am so glad you like the carnitas! I love the stir-fry wok idea!
Kim
Lime peel leaves a very bitter taste. Needs to say squeeze limes or peel, I added the slices. Other than the bitter taste it was good.
Denell
Made this for the first time. Super yummy. I decided not to broil the meat. It was a bit soupy. We decided to make a bowl out of it, put w pork in a bowl, mix our toppings, and scoop or spoon on our mix with our favorite chips.
Analida
Nachos are a great way to eat this dish! We sometimes put it on slider buns with some salsa too! Thanks!
Cass
Have you tried adapting this recipe to an Instant Pot one, using the pressure cooking setting? Curious if there is a fast way...
Analida
Hi Cass,
I have never tried to make this in an Instant Pot but I bet if you can find a pulled pork recipe for the times and procedure for the Instant Pot it may work really well.
Thanks!
Analida
Meredith
I am making Carnitas enchilada casserole for our traditional Christmas Eve dinner, can't wait to try this recipe! I usually buy precooked Carnitas, but my husband found a great deal on bone-in pork shoulder at the grocery store. I am so excited!
Analida
I am so excited you are making carnitas for Christmas! I don't think everyone understands how important the pork shoulder is to Hispanics at Christmas! It is like the turkey at Thanksgiving! I hope you have a very blessed and delicious Christmas! ¡Buen provecho!
Nataly
Analida, that recipe looks so yummy! I'll have to try that one. Thanks for sharing.
Charlie
Copper pot - who has a copper pot these days! Slow cooker all the way!
Nathan
Would it be a problem for cooking it on low for an extended amount of time?
Analida
That is not a problem. You can cook on high for a shorter time or low for a longer time. Basically you want to get it cooked enough so it separates easily with a fork. Enjoy!
Juliette
I am excited to make carnitas for the first time. Everyone in my family is an appreciator of the delicacy. My daughter worked in an upscale, trendy, Mexican street-food restaurant in NYC where they cook the carnitas with Cocacola! And I am seeing recipes online that use orange juice in the slow-cooker instead of water. Your recipe favors the tangy lime and has no sweetener. Just wondering if this is a regional difference and your thoughts on sweet accent.
Analida
We prefer the tangy spicy version. This is a personal preference I have found from my other Mexican friends but citrus is a must when making carnitas.
lu
love it!
Aline
Just made this for cinco de Mayo Taco Tuesday date night tomorrow and it's great! We cant wait so we'll probably just start eating tonight too ahahah
Analida
This is our favorite Taco Tuesday dish for sure! Thanks so much!
Aimee Daley
Second time I have used this recipe while on Covid lockdown in the UK , we love it! Thank you for sharing xx
Steve Simpson
Wow, these are great carnitas. I gotta tell you, I usually like "authentic" or traditional recipes. But your research and work paid off to create a traditional result. We've been eating this all week (just the two of us, and I did 3 lbs of shoulder). Instead of broiling, I actually rendered the fat down, heated it to high, the quick fried chunks of the finished meat to give it a crispy exterior. Thanks for the great recipe!
Analida
Thanks so much Steve! Those crispy fried chunks sound fantastic!