Slow cooker recipes are a lifesaver for busy individuals who still want to enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal. One dish that is perfect for slow cooking is Mexican pork shoulder. The combination of tender pork, flavorful spices, and juicy vegetables makes for a mouth-watering and satisfying meal. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to make the perfect Mexican pork shoulder in a slow cooker. So, get your ingredients ready and let's get cooking!
Main Ingredients: Corn Tortillas, Carnitas, Salsa Verde, Pickled Red
Carnitas tacos are a delicious and flavorful option for any taco night. The tender, juicy pork is slow-cooked to perfection and then shredded for the perfect taco filling. Top them with your favorite toppings and enjoy a tasty and satisfying meal. Here are 20 different ways to make carnitas tacos that will take your taco game to the next level.
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Pork Carnitas (Mexican Slow Cooker Pulled Pork)
Main Ingredients: Pork Butt, Brown Sugar, Cumin, Oregano, Salt, Garlic
This classic Mexican dish is made by slow-cooking pork in a flavorful blend of spices and citrus juices. The result is tender and juicy pulled pork that is perfect for tacos, burritos, or any other Mexican-inspired dish. It's an easy and delicious way to enjoy carnitas without spending hours in the kitchen.
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Carnitas (Mexican Slow Cooker Pulled Pork)
Main Ingredients: Pork Shoulder, Salt, Black Pepper, Onion, Jalapeno
If you love the flavors of a classic carnitas recipe but don't have a slow cooker, don't worry. This stovetop version is just as delicious and requires minimal effort. Simply sear the pork in a pan and then let it simmer in a flavorful mixture of spices and citrus juices until it's tender and falling apart.
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Slow Cooker Carnitas Quesadillas
Main Ingredients: Boneless Pork Shoulder, Chipotle Powder, Black Pepper
Take your quesadillas to the next level with this slow cooker carnitas version. The tender pulled pork is layered with cheese and then sandwiched between two tortillas and cooked until crispy. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce for a tasty and satisfying meal.
This traditional Mexican carnitas recipe is full of flavor and easy to make. The pork is cooked in a mixture of spices, onion, and garlic until it's fall-apart tender. Serve it with your favorite toppings and tortillas for a delicious and authentic Mexican meal.
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Pork Carnitas Tacos With Tomatillo Salsa Verde
Main Ingredients: Salsa Verde, Tomatillos, Green Chilis, Onion, Fresh
Upgrade your carnitas tacos with this delicious tomatillo salsa verde. The tangy and slightly spicy salsa pairs perfectly with the tender pulled pork and adds a fresh and vibrant element to the dish. Top it off with some crumbled queso fresco and fresh cilantro for a tasty and colorful meal.
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Carnitas Street Tacos
Main Ingredients: Corn Tortillas, Pork Carnitas, Green Cabbage, Red
Street tacos are a popular and delicious option for a quick and easy meal. These carnitas street tacos are no exception. The tender and flavorful pork is topped with your favorite toppings and served on small tortillas for a tasty and satisfying meal.
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Pork Carnitas Burrito Bowl
Main Ingredients: Boneless Pork Shoulder, Salt, Pepper, Dried Oregano
If you're looking for a healthier option, try making a carnitas burrito bowl. Layer rice, beans, and your favorite toppings in a bowl and top it off with tender pulled pork for a flavorful and filling meal. Don't forget to add a drizzle of creamy avocado or spicy salsa for an extra kick of flavor.
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Carnitas Enchiladas (Pork Enchiladas)
Main Ingredients: Olive Oil, All Purpose Flour, Chili Powder, Ground
Enchiladas are a classic Mexican dish that can be made with a variety of fillings, including carnitas. These pork enchiladas are filled with tender pulled pork, covered in a delicious enchilada sauce, and topped with cheese and fresh cilantro. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly for a satisfying and flavorful meal.
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Carnitas Taco Lettuce Wraps
Main Ingredients: Avocados, Lime, Garlic Clove, Salt, Bibb Lettuce, Red
If you're looking for a low-carb option, try making carnitas taco lettuce wraps. Simply wrap the tender pulled pork in lettuce leaves and top with your favorite toppings. It's a lighter and healthier way to enjoy this delicious dish without sacrificing any flavor.
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Easy Pork Carnitas Taco Board
Main Ingredients: Pork Carnitas, Lime, White Onion, Cilantro, Chip, Blue
For a fun and interactive meal, try making a carnitas taco board. Arrange all of your taco toppings on a large board and let everyone build their own tacos. It's a great option for parties or family dinners and allows everyone to customize their tacos to their liking.
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Carnitas Chilaquiles with Whipped Jalapeño Cream.
Main Ingredients: Pork Shoulder Roast, Canola Oil, Pepper, Salt, Smoked
Carnitas chilaquiles are a delicious and comforting Mexican dish made with tortilla chips, salsa, and tender pulled pork. Top it off with a whipped jalapeño cream for an extra kick of flavor. This dish is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
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Carnitas Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Main Ingredients: Boneless Pork Shoulder, Dried Oregano, Ground Cumin
Take your stuffed pepper game to the next level with this carnitas version. The tender pulled pork is mixed with rice, beans, and cheese and then stuffed into roasted poblano peppers. Bake until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted for a delicious and satisfying meal.
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Ultimate Nachos with Beer-Braised Carnitas
Main Ingredients: Salt, Smoked Paprika, Cumin, Onion Powder, Chili
Nachos are a classic game-day or party food, and these beer-braised carnitas nachos are sure to be a hit. The tender pulled pork is cooked in a flavorful beer-based sauce and then piled high on top of tortilla chips with cheese, beans, and your favorite toppings. It's the ultimate indulgent and delicious dish.
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Skinny Crispy Carnitas Tacos with Cilantro Lime Ranch
Main Ingredients: Mission Corn Tortillas, Cream, Carnitas, Avocado
If you're looking for a healthier option, try making these skinny crispy carnitas tacos. The pork is cooked in the oven until crispy and then topped with a fresh and flavorful cilantro lime ranch dressing. Serve with your favorite toppings for a tasty and light meal.
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Whole30 Chilaquiles with Carnitas and Sweet Potatoes...
Main Ingredients: Sweet Potato, Avocado Oil, Salt, Pepper, Salsa
If you're following a Whole30 or paleo diet, you can still enjoy carnitas with these delicious chilaquiles. The sweet potatoes add a healthy and hearty element to the dish, and the tender pulled pork is full of flavor. Top it off with avocado and fresh cilantro for a satisfying and healthy meal.
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Carnitas Caldo (Carnitas Soup)
Main Ingredients: Olive Oil, White Onion, Chayote, Garlic, Chicken Broth
Carnitas aren't just for tacos and burritos; you can also use them to make a delicious soup. This carnitas caldo is a hearty and comforting soup made with tender pulled pork, vegetables, and spices. Serve with tortillas or crusty bread for a delicious and satisfying meal.
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Mexican Cuban Sandwich
Main Ingredients: Carnitas, Ham Slices, Cheese, Pickled Jalapenos
If you love the flavors of a Cuban sandwich and a carnitas taco, why not combine them into one delicious dish? This Mexican Cuban sandwich is filled with tender pulled pork, ham, cheese, and pickles, and then pressed until crispy and melty. It's a tasty and unique take on two classic dishes.
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Slow Cooker Pulled Pork & Creamy Coleslaw
Main Ingredients: Pulled Pork, Onion, Garlic, Beef Broth, Water, Brown
This slow cooker pulled pork is a delicious and easy way to enjoy carnitas. The pork is slow-cooked in a flavorful sauce until tender and then served with a creamy coleslaw for a delicious and satisfying meal. Serve it on buns for a classic pulled pork sandwich or use it as a taco filling.
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Carnitas Enchiladas
Main Ingredients: Pork Carnitas, Pinto Beans, Rice, Green Chilis, Cotija
These carnitas enchiladas are a delicious and easy way to enjoy this classic dish. The shredded pork is mixed with cheese, rolled in tortillas, and then covered in a flavorful enchilada sauce. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly for a tasty and satisfying meal.
Preparing the Pork Shoulder
Choosing the Right Cut
When it comes to making Mexican pork shoulder, the type of pork you use is crucial. The best cut for this recipe is a bone-in pork shoulder or picnic roast. This cut is well-marbled, which means it has a good amount of fat that will keep the meat moist and tender during the slow cooking process. Make sure to trim off any excess fat before cooking.
Marinating the Pork
To add even more flavor to your Mexican pork shoulder, it's best to marinate it for at least 2 hours before cooking. You can use a pre-made marinade or create your own using a combination of featured keywords such as cumin, chili powder, garlic, and orange juice. Place the pork in a large resealable bag and pour the marinade over it. Make sure to massage the marinade into the meat, so it is evenly coated. Refrigerate the pork while you prepare the other ingredients.
Prepping the Vegetables
Choosing the Right Vegetables
The beauty of this Mexican pork shoulder recipe is that it is a complete meal in one pot. Along with the pork, you will need to add some vegetables to the slow cooker. For this recipe, we recommend using featured keywords like bell peppers, onions, and corn. These vegetables will add a delicious texture and flavor to the dish.
Dicing and Sautéing
Before adding the vegetables to the slow cooker, you will need to dice them into bite-size pieces. Heat some oil in a skillet and sauté the vegetables for a few minutes until they are slightly softened. This step will help enhance the flavor of the vegetables and prevent them from becoming too mushy during the long cooking process.
Cooking the Mexican Pork Shoulder
Layering the Ingredients
Now it's time to assemble all the ingredients in the slow cooker. Start by placing the marinated pork shoulder at the bottom of the slow cooker. Next, add the sautéed vegetables on top of the pork. You can also add a can of diced tomatoes and some chicken broth for extra flavor.
Cooking Time
Set your slow cooker on low heat and let it cook for 8-10 hours. This slow cooking method will ensure that the pork is cooked to perfection and the flavors have fully developed. Once the cooking time is up, your Mexican pork shoulder will be fall-apart tender and ready to be served.
Serving Suggestions
There are many ways to serve this delicious Mexican pork shoulder. You can shred the meat and serve it in tortillas for flavorful tacos or use it as a filling for burritos or enchiladas. You can also serve it over rice or with a side of Mexican-style cornbread. The possibilities are endless!
Now that you have all the steps to make the perfect Mexican pork shoulder in a slow cooker, it's time to try it out for yourself. Trust us, your taste buds will thank you!
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