18 Crockpot Mexican Carnitas Recipe Unleash Your Inner Chef!
Published on: Apr 9, 2024
Carnitas is a traditional Mexican dish that is beloved for its delicious flavors and tender, juicy meat. This slow-cooked dish is typically made with pork shoulder and a variety of spices, resulting in a mouth-watering meal that is perfect for any occasion. While it may seem intimidating to make at home, with the help of a crockpot, you can easily recreate this Mexican carnitas recipe in the comfort of your own kitchen. In this article, we will provide you with a professional and well-organized introduction to making carnitas in a crockpot, so you can impress your family and friends with this delicious and authentic dish.
Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas Crock Pot (Mexican Pulled...
Main Ingredients: Pork Shoulder, Taco Seasoning Mix, Chipotle Peppers In
If you're a fan of Mexican cuisine, you've probably heard of pork carnitas. This slow cooker version is a game changer, making it easy to enjoy this delicious dish at home. Simply toss all the ingredients in your crockpot and let it do the work for you. The result? Tender, flavorful pork that is perfect for tacos, burritos, or even on its own.
2of 20
Crock-Pot® Slow Cooker Carnitas Tostadas
Main Ingredients: Sea Salt, Black Pepper, Dried Oregano, Chili Powder
Tostadas are a popular Mexican dish that involves crispy tortillas topped with various toppings. These carnitas tostadas are made in the crockpot, making the pork extra tender and flavorful. Serve them with your favorite toppings, such as avocado, salsa, and shredded cheese, for a delicious and easy weeknight meal.
3of 20
Slow Cooker Carnitas (Pork Carnitas)
Main Ingredients: Pork Butt, Chili Powder, Ground Cumin, Dried Oregano
This classic slow cooker carnitas recipe is a must-try for any Mexican food lover. The pork is cooked low and slow with spices and citrus juices, resulting in tender and flavorful meat. Serve it in tacos, burritos, or on top of rice for a delicious and versatile meal.
4of 20
Mexican Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas Tacos
Main Ingredients: Pork Shoulder, Lime Juice, Coarse Sea Salt, Ground
Tacos are a staple in Mexican cuisine, and this slow cooker pork carnitas version is sure to become a favorite in your household. The pork is cooked to perfection with spices and citrus juices, making it incredibly tender and flavorful. Serve it in soft or hard shell tacos, and top it with your favorite toppings for a delicious and easy meal.
5of 20
Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas (Mexican Pulled Pork)
Main Ingredients: Blade Roast, Kosher Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic, Cumin
This slow cooker pork carnitas recipe is perfect for those busy weeknights when you still want a delicious and satisfying meal. The pork is slow cooked with spices and citrus juices, resulting in tender and flavorful meat. Serve it in tacos, burritos, or even on top of a salad for a healthy and tasty meal.
6of 20
Slow Cooker Carnitas
Main Ingredients: Pork Butt, Coarse Kosher Salt, Ground Cumin, Ground
This slow cooker carnitas recipe is a great option for meal prep. Make a big batch and use it throughout the week in various dishes, such as tacos, burritos, or even on top of a pizza. The possibilities are endless with this tender and flavorful pork.
7of 20
Slow Cooker Carnitas Quesadillas
Main Ingredients: Boneless Pork Shoulder, Chipotle Powder, Black Pepper
Quesadillas are a quick and easy meal option, and this slow cooker carnitas version takes them to the next level. The tender and flavorful pork is perfect for stuffing inside a crispy tortilla with cheese and your favorite toppings. Serve it with a side of salsa and sour cream for a delicious and satisfying meal.
8of 20
Crock Pot Mexican Casserole
Main Ingredients: Virgin Olive Oil, Ground Turkey, Yellow Onion, Quinoa
Looking for a hearty and flavorful meal that can feed a crowd? This crockpot Mexican casserole is the answer. It's packed with layers of tortillas, cheese, beans, and of course, slow cooker carnitas. This dish is perfect for potlucks, game day, or just a casual family dinner.
9of 20
Slow Cooker Carnitas Street Tacos
Main Ingredients: Tortillas, Avocado, Cilantro, Lime, Pork Shoulder
Street tacos are a popular Mexican street food and for a good reason – they are packed with flavor and can be eaten on the go. This slow cooker carnitas version is perfect for recreating that street food experience at home. Top the tender and flavorful pork with your favorite toppings, such as cilantro, onion, and salsa for a truly delicious meal.
10of 20
Crock Pot Beef Carnitas Tacos
Main Ingredients: Flank Steak, Yellow Onion, Green Bell Pepper, Red Bell
If you're not a fan of pork, don't worry – you can still enjoy delicious carnitas with this beef version. The beef is cooked low and slow in the crockpot with spices and citrus juices, resulting in tender and flavorful meat that is perfect for tacos. Serve it with your favorite toppings and enjoy a tasty and easy meal.
11of 20
Crock Pot/Slow Cooker Authentic Street Tacos
Main Ingredients: Chicken Thighs, Red Onion, White Onion, Olive Oil
Authentic street tacos are all about the flavor, and this slow cooker version delivers just that. The pork is cooked low and slow with spices and citrus juices, resulting in tender and flavorful meat that is perfect for tacos. Serve it on soft corn tortillas with your favorite toppings for a truly authentic and delicious meal.
12of 20
Slow Cooker Beef Carnitas Tacos
Main Ingredients: Flank Steak, Yellow Onion, Green Bell Pepper, Red Bell
If you're craving carnitas but want something a little different, try this beef version. The beef is slow cooked with spices and citrus juices, resulting in tender and flavorful meat that is perfect for tacos. Serve it with your favorite toppings and enjoy a tasty and unique twist on a classic dish.
13of 20
Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken Tacos
Main Ingredients: Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, Diced Tomatoes
For a lighter option, try these slow cooker Mexican shredded chicken tacos. The chicken is cooked low and slow with spices and salsa, resulting in tender and flavorful meat that is perfect for tacos. Serve it with your favorite toppings, such as avocado and shredded cheese, for a delicious and healthy meal.
14of 20
Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas with Mexican Slaw
Main Ingredients: Pork Loin Roast, Oil, Kosher Salt, Chili Powder, Ground
Add a fresh and crunchy element to your slow cooker carnitas by serving it with a homemade Mexican slaw. The pork is cooked low and slow with spices and citrus juices, and the slaw is made with cabbage, cilantro, and a tangy dressing. Serve it all together in tacos or over rice for a delicious and satisfying meal.
15of 20
Crock-Pot Mexican Chicken
Main Ingredients: Corn, Chicken Tenders, Taco Seasoning, Tomatoes With
This crockpot Mexican chicken is a versatile and delicious dish that can be used in a variety of meals. It's cooked with spices and salsa, resulting in tender and flavorful meat that is perfect for tacos, burritos, or even on top of a salad. Make a big batch and use it throughout the week for an easy and tasty meal option.
16of 20
Slow Cooker Mexican Carnitas
Main Ingredients: Boneless Beef Chuck Roast, Salt, Black Pepper, Olive
This slow cooker Mexican carnitas recipe is a great option for those who want to spice things up. The pork is cooked low and slow with spices and peppers, resulting in tender and flavorful meat that is perfect for tacos, burritos, or even on top of nachos. Serve it with your favorite toppings for a delicious and fiery meal.
17of 20
Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas (Crispy Mexican Pork...
Main Ingredients: Pork Butt, Mexican Oregano, Cayenne Pepper, Cumin
If you're a fan of crispy carnitas, this slow cooker recipe is for you. The pork is cooked low and slow with spices and citrus juices, and then broiled in the oven to get that crispy exterior. Serve it in tacos, burritos, or on its own for a delicious and satisfying meal.
18of 20
Slow Cooker Mexican Pork Carnitas
Main Ingredients: Pork Shoulder Roast, Kosher Salt, Cracked Pepper, Dried
This slow cooker carnitas recipe is perfect for those who love a little spice in their life. The pork is cooked with spices and jalapenos, resulting in tender and flavorful meat that is perfect for tacos, burritos, or even on top of a pizza. Serve it with your favorite toppings and enjoy a delicious and fiery meal.
19of 20
Crock-Pot Pork Carnitas (Mexican Shredded Pork)
Main Ingredients: Chili Powder, Ground Cumin, Dried Oregano, Kosher Salt
If you're looking for a quick and easy meal, this crockpot pork carnitas recipe is a great option. The pork is cooked low and slow with spices and salsa, resulting in tender and flavorful meat that is perfect for tacos, burritos, or even on top of a salad. Serve it with your favorite toppings for a delicious and versatile meal.
20of 20
Slow Cooker Carnitas Tacos ~ Mexican Pulled Pork
Main Ingredients: Boneless Pork Butt, Chicken Broth, Onion, Garlic, Lime
Last but certainly not least, we have these delicious slow cooker carnitas tacos. The pork is cooked low and slow with spices and citrus juices, resulting in tender and flavorful meat that is perfect for tacos. Serve it with your favorite toppings and enjoy a delicious and easy meal that is sure to be a hit with the whole family.
Ingredients
Pork Shoulder
The key ingredient in this crockpot Mexican carnitas recipe is a pork shoulder, also known as pork butt or Boston butt. This cut of meat is ideal for slow cooking as it becomes incredibly tender and flavorful after hours of cooking. Look for a pork shoulder with a good amount of marbling for the best results.
Spices
To give the carnitas its signature Mexican flavors, you will need a combination of spices such as cumin, oregano, chili powder, and garlic powder. These spices will infuse the pork with a rich and aromatic flavor that will have your taste buds dancing.
Orange Juice
While not a traditional ingredient, adding orange juice to the carnitas adds a subtle sweetness and tanginess to the dish. It also helps to tenderize the meat and balance out the spices.
Lime Juice
For a burst of freshness, lime juice is added to the carnitas towards the end of the cooking process. This adds a bright and zesty flavor to the dish and pairs perfectly with the other ingredients.
Instructions
Now that you have all the necessary ingredients, it's time to start cooking! Here is a simple step-by-step guide to making crockpot Mexican carnitas:
Step 1: Prepare the Pork Shoulder
Start by trimming any excess fat from the pork shoulder and cutting it into 2-3 inch chunks. This will help the meat cook evenly and make it easier to shred later on.
Step 2: Season the Meat
In a small bowl, mix together cumin, oregano, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Rub this spice mixture all over the pork shoulder, making sure to cover all sides.
Step 3: Add Liquid Ingredients
In a crockpot, combine orange juice, lime juice, and chicken broth. Place the seasoned pork shoulder on top of the liquid.
Step 4: Slow Cook
Set your crockpot to cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-6 hours. The meat should be fork-tender and easily shred when done.
Step 5: Shred the Meat
Once the pork shoulder is cooked, remove it from the crockpot and shred it using two forks. Place the shredded meat back into the crockpot and mix it with the cooking liquid.
Step 6: Broil for Crispy Edges
For a delicious crispy texture, transfer the carnitas to a baking sheet and broil in the oven for 3-5 minutes. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Your crockpot Mexican carnitas are now ready to be enjoyed! Serve them in tacos, burritos, or over rice for a flavorful and satisfying meal.
In conclusion, making Mexican carnitas at home is easier than you think, thanks to the help of a crockpot. With a few simple ingredients and some patience, you can recreate this traditional dish and impress your loved ones with your cooking skills. Try out this crockpot Mexican carnitas recipe for your next family gathering or dinner party and watch it become a crowd favorite!