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

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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 recipe, ready in about 320 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, H-E-B brand chipotle chili powder, H-E-B brand ground cumin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 calories and feeds 8, 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: 20 min Cook: 300 min Serves 8 Mexican cuisine 360 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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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?

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 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.

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