Pork Carnitas Recipe

I love a dinner that simmers in the crockpot all day long- making your house smell absolutely delicious! I start this pork carnitas recipe in the crockpot while I am making breakfast for the kids, allow it to slow cook all day, and then shred the pork and finish it on the stovetop in just 20 minutes right before serving!

You being by preparing a simple rub of oregano, cumin, and olive oil and rubbing that all on the outside of the pork shoulder. Then place it in the crockpot, fat cap on top and allow it to slow cook all day long.

It should be tender and just fall apart as you shred the meat with two forks.

But the real magic happens when you simmer it on the stovetop in some of the cooking juices until bits of it are crispy. Oh- the flavor this step adds is fantastic!

Pork Carnitas Recipe

4.5 from 2 reviews

Pork Carnitas Recipe

 

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I start this pork carnitas recipe in the crockpot while I am making breakfast for the kids, allow it to slow cook all day (which makes my house smell amazing!), and then shred the pork and finish it on the stovetop in just 20 minutes right before serving!

Author: MomOf6

Ingredients

• 5 lbs. pork butt (I usually buy picnic style)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• ¾ cup orange juice
• olive oil for "crisping"
• For the rub:
• 1 Tablespoon dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 Tablespoon of olive oil

Instructions

1. Prepare the rub by mixing together the oregano, cumin, and olive oil in a small bowl. Rub it all outside of the pork butt. Sprinkle on the salt and pepper on top of the rub, and place pork butt into the crockpot with the fat cap on top.
2. Top with the chopped onion and minced garlic, and drizzle the orange juice over that.
3. Cook on high for 6 hours, followed by low for another 2-3 hours.
4. The meat should be very tender and falling off the bone. Remove the pork butt and place onto a cutting board (ideally one with a lip to catch the juices). Shred the meat with two forks- discarding any bones and fatty pieces.
5. Pour the juices from the cutting board as well as the crockpot into a gravy separator and allow it to settle.
6. Right before serving, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add shredded pork into the pan, and drizzle the separated pan juices on top to cover the bottom of the pan.
7. Allow the meat to simmer in the liquid until the juices are evaporated, and the bottom of the beat becomes golden brown and crispy. Using a spatula, flip over the shredded pork to lightly crisp the other side. Ideally, you'll want a mixture of both tender and crispy bits of pork.
8. Repeat this "crisping process" in batches until all of the meat and has been simmered in juices.
9. Serve the shredded pork on a tortilla along with sour cream, salsa, shredded cheese, and diced avocado.

3.5.3251

Looking for More Recipes that Kids Will Actually Eat?

Then check out my Recipes page for breakfasts, dinners, desserts, and more that have been Rowley family approved!