Pork Carnitasare nothing short of heavenly. This pork butt recipe is so tender and full of bold flavor. Plus, it only takes 5 minutes to add the ingredients to the slow cooker. You’ll put this one on repeat!

Slow cooker pork carnitas is a Mexican favorite that is great in tortillas, taco shells or on top of a salad. You can sit back and relax while the slow cooker does all of the work. It’s also a great way to add lots of protein to your meal in the most delicious way.

top view of shredded pork on a white plate with fresh lime

Pork Carnitas

If you haven’t had pork carnitas before, it is perfectly tender with crisp edges and so good that you will want to put it on everything! You can check out some other great Mexican recipes like mycheesy gordita crunch, andchipotle chicken burrito bowls.

You know I love to feed people, and this recipe is so great for feeding the masses. If you are having a party or inviting people over, pork carnitas are the way to go.

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

Easy to make- put it in the slow cooker and sit back!
It makes a lot, and freezes great to use later
Is delicious and can be put in a variety of dishes
A crowd pleaser!

What Cut Of Pork Is Best For This Recipe?

I love using a pork butt for the most juicy and tender meat, but you can also use a pork shoulder. Make sure to buy skinless so you can put on the homemade spice rub. I prefer a boneless pork butt, but if you can only find bone-in, just get an additional 1/2 pound of meat.

Recipe Ingredients

shreded cooked pork on a white plate with fresh lime with carnitas ingredients all around

Pork shoulder or pork butt:this type of pork roast has some nice marbling and fat to it which helps the carnitas cook up flavorful and moist
Homemade spice rub:it includes salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, and cumin. It comes together fast and makes for a great flavor base for the whole dish
White or yellow onion: this cooks so soft you can’t tell it’s there in the end product but it adds lots of flavor
Jalapeno:just a touch of heat to balance the richness of the pork, I promise it’s not spicy though (you can always add more to increase the heat!)
Juice from 2 oranges:a little sweet, a little acid, a little moisture, there’s some magic in the orange juice!

See recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities

Substitutions and Variations

If you like a little heat to your pork feel free to add another jalapeno or two and/or don’t remove the seeds.
I have the servings for this recipe as 8 but if you are having a lot of other toppings like rice and beans for your tacos the meat will go a lot further.
If you are just doing pork and a really simple onion/jalapeno/lime/cilantro topping (like the one I make forchicken street tacos, it’s amazing) then you’ll use a lot more pork.

shredded pork on a white plate with carnitas ingredients in the background

Recipe Instructions

Mix up your spice rub and rub it all over your pork butt or shoulder.
Place the pork in the slow cooker and add the onion, jalapeno, and orange juice to the slow cooker.
Let the pork cook until it is very tender.
Shred the pork and separate it from the remaining juices in the slow cooker.
Place the shredded pork in a hot skillet and add the juices (you might need to work in batches here so you don’t crowd your pan). Cook until the juices all evaporate and the pork starts to crisp.
Serve the crispy pork carnitas in your favorite dishes like tacos, burritos, and enchiladas.

Pro Tips & Tricks

To make this recipe ahead of time cook and shred the pork, then keep the shredded pork and juices stored separately in the fridge. When you are ready to serve it proceed with the pan crisping steps.
You can brown the pork a few hours ahead of time, reserving some of the liquid, and then keep the shredded browned pork in a warm slow cooker, with the remaining juices drizzled over it until you are ready to serve it.
You can keep the prepared or leftover pork in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge and refresh in a warm skillet with a little oil in the bottom.

Frequently Asked Questions

What to serve with pork carnitas?

This recipe for pork carnitas is super versatile, so the sides are as well! Serve it with rice and beans, or chips and dip! Or even add pork carnitas on top of things like pizza!

Can you overcook the pork carnitas?

Yes, any meat can be overcooked; even in a slow cooker! Avoid cooking the meat longer than the cook times listed below and avoid any overcooked, tough meat.

What is the easiest way to shred pork?

You can take the old school route and shred the pork using two forks. If you are cooking a lot of meat that needs to be shredded, I like to throw it in a stand mixer and attach the flat beater paddle. Turn it on for about 30 seconds and watch that meat shred. So quick and easy.