Tender Crock Pot Carnitas (Printable Version)
Slow-cooked pork shoulder infused with spices and citrus, crisped for authentic Mexican-style dishes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pork and Marinade
01 -
4.5 to 5 lbs boneless pork butt (Boston butt), trimmed of excess fat
02 -
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
03 -
60 ml orange juice
04 -
30 ml lime juice
05 -
1 teaspoon liquid smoke
06 -
2 bay leaves
07 -
1 yellow onion, chopped
08 -
1 jalapeño pepper, deveined, deseeded, chopped
→ Wet Spice Rub
09 -
3 tablespoons olive oil
10 -
2 tablespoons tomato paste
11 -
1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce
12 -
50 grams packed brown sugar
13 -
1 tablespoon ground cumin
14 -
2 teaspoons dried oregano
15 -
2 teaspoons salt
16 -
1 teaspoon chili powder
17 -
1 teaspoon garlic powder
18 -
1 teaspoon onion powder
19 -
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
20 -
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
21 -
1/2 to 1 teaspoon ground chipotle chili pepper (optional)
# Step-by-Step Guide:
01 -
Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over high heat. Sear pork butt on all sides until lightly browned. Transfer to a cutting board to cool.
02 -
Whisk together olive oil, tomato paste, soy sauce, brown sugar, cumin, oregano, salt, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and chipotle chili pepper. Massage rub evenly over cooled pork and place into slow cooker.
03 -
Pour orange juice, lime juice, liquid smoke, and bay leaves into slow cooker. Top pork with chopped onion and jalapeño.
04 -
Cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours or on HIGH for 5 to 6 hours until pork is fall-apart tender.
05 -
Remove pork onto cutting board and shred thoroughly. Return shredded pork to slow cooker, toss with cooking juices, and cook on LOW for 20 minutes.
06 -
Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C) and line two baking sheets with foil.
07 -
Spread shredded pork evenly on prepared sheets. Drizzle about 60 ml of reserved juices over pork. Bake for 15 minutes, then broil for 5 to 10 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning until crisped.
08 -
Drizzle additional juices over crisped pork, toss gently, and serve warm with tortillas, rice, salads, or toppings of choice.
# Additional Notes:
01 -
Searing the pork before slow cooking enhances flavor through caramelization. Adjust chipotle chili pepper for preferred heat level.