Slow-Cooked Citrus Carnitas with Pineapple Salsa

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-23 · Updated 2026-04-23

Tender pork shoulder slow-cooked with citrus and spices, served with a vibrant pineapple salsa for a sweet-tangy finish. This mexican-inspired slow cooker ready in about 495 minutes blends pork shoulder, orange juice, lime juice into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. 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
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 large, thinly sliced onion
• 4 cloves, minced garlic
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup pineapple chunks
• 1 cup diced pineapple
• 1/2 cup, diced red bell pepper
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place 2 lbs pork shoulder cubes, 1/4 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, 1 tbsp dried oregano, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 large thinly sliced onion, and 4 minced garlic cloves in a slow cooker. Add 1 cup chicken broth and stir to combine.
2. Step 2: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours until pork is fork-tender.
3. Step 3: Shred the pork with two forks, return to the slow cooker, and stir in 1 cup pineapple chunks. Cook uncovered for 30 minutes to meld flavors.
4. Step 4: In a bowl, combine 1 cup diced pineapple, 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1 tbsp lime juice, and 1/4 tsp salt for the salsa.