Slow-Cooked Pork Carnitas with Orange and Clove

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-24 · Updated 2026-05-24

Tender slow-cooked pork infused with bright orange and warm clove flavors, perfect for filling soft tortillas or serving over rice. This Mexican Cinco de Mayo recipe, ready in about 525 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, orange juice, and orange zest for a weeknight-friendly dinner. Each serving lands at about 400 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 "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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 lb pork shoulder, cut into 3-inch chunks
• 1 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• 4 garlic cloves, smashed
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup water

Slow cookers worth buying for this → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice, 1 tbsp orange zest, 4 smashed garlic cloves, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/4 tsp ground cloves, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Add 2 lb pork shoulder chunks and toss to coat evenly. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear pork pieces in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and caramelized. Transfer pork to slow cooker.
3. Step 3: Pour remaining marinade and 1/2 cup water into the slow cooker with pork. Add 2 bay leaves. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours until pork is very tender and falls apart easily.
4. Step 4: Remove pork from slow cooker and shred with two forks. For crispy edges, spread shredded pork on a baking sheet and broil for 5-7 minutes, stirring halfway, until edges are caramelized and slightly crispy.
5. Step 5: Serve pork carnitas in warm corn tortillas or over rice with your favorite toppings.