Slow-Cooked Pork Carnitas with Citrus and Cilantro
Shredded pork shoulder simmered with citrus and spices until tender enough to pull apart, served with fresh cilantro. This mexican-inspired slow cooker ready in about 495 minutes pairs trimmed of excess fat 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 220 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.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs, trimmed of excess fat pork shoulder
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 1.5 lbs trimmed pork shoulder in a slow cooker. Whisk together 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp salt. Pour over pork, ensuring it's mostly covered.
- Step 2: Cook on LOW for 8 hours until pork is fork-tender and easily shreds.
- Step 3: Remove pork from slow cooker; discard fat. Shred meat using two forks, returning juices to the pot. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and cook on LOW for 10 more minutes to meld flavors.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Pork Carnitas with Citrus and Cilantro 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 Pork Carnitas with Citrus and Cilantro?
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 orange juice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Pork Carnitas with Citrus and Cilantro?
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 Pork Carnitas with Citrus and Cilantro 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 Pork Carnitas with Citrus and Cilantro?
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
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 480-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
