Slow Cooker H-E-B Brand Pork Carnitas with Citrus and Chipotle

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

Tender, flavorful pork carnitas slow-cooked with H-E-B brand spices, orange juice, and chipotle peppers to create a perfect filling for tacos or burritos. This mexican-inspired pork ready in about 320 minutes turns H-E-B brand chipotle chili powder, H-E-B brand ground cumin, minced garlic cloves into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 360 calories and feeds 8, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. 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: 20 min Cook: 300 min Serves 8 Mexican cuisine 360 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp H-E-B brand chipotle chili powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp sea salt, and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Rub this spice mixture all over 3 lbs of trimmed pork shoulder cut into 4 pieces. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the pork pieces for 3-4 minutes per side until browned.
  3. Step 3: Transfer the seared pork pieces to a slow cooker. Pour 1 cup orange juice and 2 tbsp fresh lime juice over the pork, then add 2 bay leaves.
  4. Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until pork is very tender and shreds easily with a fork.
  5. Step 5: Remove bay leaves, shred pork with two forks, and mix well with cooking juices. Serve in warm tortillas with your favorite toppings.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow Cooker H-E-B Brand Pork Carnitas with Citrus and Chipotle take to make?

Total time is about 320 minutes (20 min prep + 300 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 Cooker H-E-B Brand Pork Carnitas with Citrus and Chipotle?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker H-E-B Brand 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 Cooker H-E-B Brand Pork Carnitas with Citrus and Chipotle 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 Slow Cooker H-E-B Brand 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.

Related recipes