This easy carnitas slow cooker recipe is very versatile and has delicious flavor. Pork shoulder, jalapenos, onions and seasonings are cooked all day in the crock pot before being fried to golden brown perfection in a hot skillet.
3/4cupfresh orange juiceor substitute chicken broth or water for extra tame eaters
1teaspoonsalt
1teaspoonfreshly ground black pepper
1teaspoondried oreganofinely crumbled
2teaspoonsground cumin
1onionchopped
1jalapenoor substitute large Anaheim chile, deseeded, chopped
4clovesgarlicminced (or more or less to suit your tastebuds)
1tablespoonolive oil
1tablespoonbutter
limes for squeezing and garnish
Optional:
warmed flour tortillas
shredded cheese
chopped lettuce
chopped tomato
salsapico de gallo or hot sauce
Instructions
Sprinkle the roast all over with salt, pepper, oregano and cumin. Pour the orange juice in the bottom of the Crock Pot, and fit the roast in on top. Sprinkle the chopped onion, jalapeno and garlic over the top.
Cover and cook on high for 6 hours, or low for 9 hours.
Use a slotted spoon to transfer the meat and onion mixture to a large bowl, cover with foil, and let it cool for about 20 minutes. (Keep the cooking juices warm in the Crock Pot.)
Use two forks to separate the meat, shredding some of it and leaving some of it in larger pieces. Cut long pieces into shorter chunks with a knife, if needed. Remove and discard any fat as you cut and shred the meat.
Heat the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
When the mixture is hot, add about 1/3 of the shredded pork to the pan; you want a single layer of meat with some space around the pieces so they can brown. Then spoon some of the juices from the Crock Pot over the top.
Move the pieces around to absorb the butter mixture and then cook without stirring until the bottom of the meat turns brown around the edges. Peek underneath and flip the pieces over when they’re nicely browned.
Continue cooking for a minute or two. (You don’t want to brown the second side of the meat too much, or it will begin to get tough.) Transfer to a serving dish when each piece is cooked to your liking and drizzle with some of the cooking juices.
Repeat with the remaining meat, adding more butter and oil to the skillet if needed. Serve hot accompanied with lime wedges.
Notes
Optional: We like to serve Carnitas with warmed flour tortillas, cheese, lettuce, tomato and pico de gallo or salsa.Store any leftovers tightly wrapped in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat Carnitas in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until hot, about 6 minutes.