Slow Cooker Carnitas recipe that is muy bueno!
Reece has picked a really bad trait that apparently runs in my family. He gets it from my sister Melissa. She’s the only other person I know that does this. When he eats certain meat, he tucks it into his cheek. He’ll take bite after bite, chewing and then tucking away until he looks like a little chipmunk. Apparently chicken can be difficult to swallow…??? I don’t know. Meat and I have always gotten along. What cracks me up is this is exactly what my sister used to do (okay still does) when we were growing up.
Anyhoo, around these parts the meat has to be extra tender so my little darling can swallow it 🙂 One surefire way of getting that Reece-approved tenderness is with the slow cooker. Low and slow = tender. Which also means Reece eats his dinner. Which means mommy is happy. Yeah. That’s how we roll.
As our schedules continue to grow busier and busier I find myself using our slow cooker more and more frequently. I mean, really, nothing beats a home-cooked meal that is magically ready at the end of the day – am I right? Carnitas made in the slow cooker is one of those magical meals for our family. So tender and just dripping with flavor, slow cooker carnitas is good any night of the week!
I love serving carnitas up in some homemade tortillas -yum!
Make sure you get your rub on with this recipe – makes the meat super flavorful and yummy!
How do you like your Carnitas?
Slow Cooker Carnitas
Ingredients
- 4 lbs boneless pork shoulder roast
- 2 cups chicken broth or stock
- 3 bay leaves
- 4 cloves garlic smashed
For the rub
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
Instructions
- Cut pork into quarters.
- Combine ingredients for the rub and really rub it into the meat. All four pieces should be fully coated. Make sure to use all of the rub.
- Place pork into slow cooker and add bay leaves and garlic.
- Carefully pour chicken stock into the slow cooker without removing the rub from the pork.
- Cook on low for 8-10 hours or until fork tender. Should be falling apart.
- Carefully remove the pork and shred with two forks.
- Add reserved juice as needed to shredded pork to gain desired level of moistness.
Nutrition
Recipes we enjoy:
Chipotle-Inspired Pico de Gallo
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Dar says
My family loves this. Don’t change a thing! Flavor is perfect!
James says
Hi Trish,
I love your recipes. Can you confirm that 1 (4) pound boneless pork shoulder roast, means I need 4 lbs of pork total – split into 4 pieces that are 1 lb each? Thank you.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yes sir! That is correct 🙂
Jasmine says
Do you think I could freeze any cooked leftovers I have? I’m only cooking for two, but it would be nice to have in the freezer for when we are craving it.
Viviana says
I’ve made this a few times already and it is fantastic. I do have a quick question. Do you think I can cook it on high? Often when I plan on making it, I forget in the morning. So by the time I remember I realize it would be like 9pm for dinner.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Hi Viviana! Hmmm…you can cook it on high but it will not be quite as tender as when you do it for longer on slow. So yeah, when you forget I would keep it on low for as long as possible and then switch it to high so it’s done at a reasonable time for dinner 🙂 Good luck!
Steph says
This looks great! I’m thinking of making it for guests we’ll be having over soon. Do you have any idea how many people a 4lb roast would serve?
lovely says
Hi!What size of a slow cooker do you use on this? Thanks!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I used a 6 qt slow cooker but I think a 4-5 would work as well. Enjoy!
Jennifer says
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Kate | Food Babbles says
Mmmm!! My mouth is watering right now. This looks amazing!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Kate! Super easy too!
Kathy says
Looks delicious! I think I could eat Mexican every night for dinner and not get bored!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Oh me too for sure Kathy! Thank you so much for visiting!
kelley @ Miss Information says
Hey Tish dying to see this recipe but the link is not showing up also can’t wait to try the homemade tortillas!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
So sorry Kelley! I was having host issues all day today but everything should be working now. Please let me know if you encounter any problems and thank you for your patience 🙂
Anne @ Domesblissity says
They look so yummy Trish. What happened to your blog? Are you in the process of changing?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
No 🙁 Host problems today Anne but everything seems to be working now (fingers crossed!).
tanya says
WOW!!! Trish this is pretty darn fantastic!!! I love carnitas, but don’t really have a recipe I’m in love with. Can’t wait to try this! And how funny that Reece stores meat in his cheeks! Cute!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
This is one I highly recommend Tanya – delicious! And Reece is just crazy. I always ask him if his teeth are broken 😉 I just hope he grows out of it!
Gwen @SimplyHealthyFamily says
Fantastico! 😉 It’s been waaaay too long since we’ve made carnitas!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Must make them again soon Gwen 🙂 Thank you so much!
Happy Valley Chow says
Those carnitas look spectacular! Love that you did them in your slow cooker 🙂
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you so much! We just love our slow cooke 🙂
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
OMG. Jordan does that. Then she drinks milk and it bypasses the meat completely, still stuffed in her mouth. I didn’t even know it was possible to do that.
LOVE the carnitas!
Valerie says
Carnitas are my husband’s favorite. We will be trying this one for sure. Thanks for sharing.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
That is exactly how Reece is! These kids 🙂 Thanks Dorothy!