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If you’re craving tender, flavorful pork that’s perfect for tacos, burritos, nachos, or even rice bowls, look no further than these Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas. With just a few simple ingredients and your trusty crockpot, you can create a delicious Mexican-inspired meal that tastes like it’s been simmering all day in a restaurant kitchen.

The best part? The slow cooker does most of the work for you, and the final broil in the oven gives the pork those irresistible crispy edges that make carnitas so special. For more inspiration, check out these Easy Slow Cooker Meals.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy prep: Just season, slow cook, shred, and crisp.
• Feeds a crowd: Perfect for family dinners, parties, or meal prep.
• Versatile: Serve in tacos, quesadillas, bowls, or on top of nachos.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 3–4 pounds pork shoulder (also called pork butt) – season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cups of chicken broth
• 4 lemons juiced (add the lemon rinds to the slow cooker as well)
• 1 lime juiced (add the lime rind to the slow cooker as well)
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 2 teaspoons of cilantro
• 2 teaspoons of black pepper

How to Make Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

Step 1: Season and Sear

Cut your pork shoulder into large chunks. Rub with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet and sear the pork chunks on all sides until golden brown. (This step locks in flavor, but you can skip if pressed for time.)

Step 2: Slow Cook

Place the seared pork into your slow cooker. Add in all the other ingredients, including the spices. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours, until the pork is fork-tender and falling apart.

Step 3: Shred the Pork

Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks. Discard any fat and place the meat back into the sauce.

Step 4: Crisp It Up

Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Take corn tortillas and dip them in the sauce in the slow cooker, and place them in the screaming hot pan. Top each tortilla with some of the meat and fold the tortilla over the meat, creating a taco.

Once one side is seared, flip and sear the other side. Remove from the hot pan and place on a serving tray. Top with pico de Gallo, some of the sauce, and your favorite taco toppings.

Serving Ideas

• Tacos – Load crispy carnitas into warm tortillas and top with cilantro, diced onion, and a squeeze of lime.
• Rice Bowls – Serve over rice with black beans, salsa, and avocado.
• Nachos – Pile onto tortilla chips with cheese, jalapeños, and sour cream.
• Quesadillas or Burritos – Wrap up in tortillas for the ultimate comfort food.

Storage Tips

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze shredded carnitas (without liquid) for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
• Reheating: Warm in a skillet with a splash of the cooking liquid to bring back moisture.

Jen’s Tips for the Best Carnitas

• Don’t skip the crisping in the pan—it gives you that authentic street-style crispiness.
• Use fresh citrus if you can. The lemon and lime juice bring brightness to the rich pork.
• Double the recipe and freeze half for quick weeknight meals later.

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas are the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it meal—full of flavor, juicy, and perfectly crispy on the edges. Whether you’re making them for taco night or meal prepping for the week, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite!

Perfect Pork Recipes

• Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Garlic Sauce from Creative Cynchronicity
• Double Smoked Ham from Palatable Pastime
• Ham and Cheese Enchiladas from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
• Honey Apple Pork Tenderloin from That Recipe
• Pork and Chinese Chive Steamed Buns from Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Pork Shoulder Roast from Art of Natural LIving

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Check Out this List for More Delicious Slow Cooker Recipes

• Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken
• Crockpot Lasagna
• Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes