Garcia's Slow-Cooked Carnitas with Charred Corn
Tender, fall-apart pork shoulder braised in citrus and spices, served with smoky charred corn that celebrates the cultural roots of America's most common Hispanic surname. This mexican-inspired slow cooker ready in about 495 minutes pairs pork shoulder, orange juice, lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork shoulder
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1/2 cup diced white onion
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1, diced avocado
- 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
- for serving lime wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Place pork shoulder in slow cooker. In a bowl, whisk together orange juice, lime juice, diced onion, minced garlic, oregano, and cumin. Pour over pork and add chicken broth. Cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 5 hours until pork is fork-tender.
- Step 2: Remove pork and shred with two forks, reserving 1 cup of cooking liquid. Return shredded pork to slow cooker and stir until well coated with liquid. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes to thicken.
- Step 3: Heat a dry skillet over medium-high heat. Add corn kernels and cook for 3-4 minutes until charred in spots and slightly crispy. Serve shredded pork with corn, diced avocado, and chopped cilantro, garnished with lime wedges.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Garcia's Slow-Cooked Carnitas with Charred Corn take to make?
Total time is about 495 minutes (15 min prep + 480 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Garcia's Slow-Cooked Carnitas with Charred Corn?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Garcia's Slow-Cooked Carnitas with Charred Corn?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Garcia's Slow-Cooked Carnitas with Charred Corn for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Garcia's Slow-Cooked Carnitas with Charred Corn?
Mexican slow cooker like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
