Slow-Cooked Mexican Pork Carnitas with Citrus and Chipotle

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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Tender, slow-cooked pork shoulder infused with bright citrus and smoky chipotle peppers, perfect for tacos or burritos. This Mexican-inspired pork recipe, 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 6, 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 Mexican cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large slow cooker, place 2 lbs pork shoulder trimmed of excess fat. Pour 1 cup orange juice and 1/4 cup lime juice over the pork. Add 2 chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Nestle 1 quartered medium yellow onion around the pork.
  2. Step 2: Cover and cook on low heat for 8 hours until the pork is very tender and easily shredded.
  3. Step 3: Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shredded pork in batches, cooking for 3-4 minutes per side until the edges are crispy and caramelized.
  4. Step 4: Serve immediately in warm tortillas or use as a filling for burritos, garnished with fresh cilantro and diced onions if desired.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Mexican Pork Carnitas with Citrus and Chipotle 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 Slow-Cooked Mexican Pork Carnitas with Citrus and Chipotle?

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 Slow-Cooked Mexican Pork Carnitas with Citrus and Chipotle?

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 Slow-Cooked Mexican Pork Carnitas with Citrus and Chipotle for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Slow-Cooked Mexican Pork Carnitas with Citrus and Chipotle?

Mexican pork 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.

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