Slow Cooker Morally Corrupt Pork Carnitas

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

Tender, slow-cooked pork shoulder shredded and crisped with bold spices for irresistible carnitas perfect for tacos or burritos. This mexican-inspired pork ready in about 500 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 420 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: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 Mexican cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rub 3 lbs pork shoulder with 1 tbsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1 tsp smoked paprika until evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Place the seasoned pork shoulder in a slow cooker and pour 1 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, and add 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 bay leaves on top.
  3. Step 3: Cover and cook on low heat for 8 hours until the pork is very tender and easily shredded.
  4. Step 4: Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks, discarding bay leaves.
  5. Step 5: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shredded pork in batches and cook for 5 minutes per side until edges are crispy and caramelized.
  6. Step 6: Warm 12 corn tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave.
  7. Step 7: Serve crispy pork carnitas in warm tortillas, garnished with 1/4 cup chopped cilantro.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow Cooker Morally Corrupt Pork Carnitas take to make?

Total time is about 500 minutes (20 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 Cooker Morally Corrupt Pork Carnitas?

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 Morally Corrupt Pork Carnitas?

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 Morally Corrupt Pork Carnitas 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 Cooker Morally Corrupt Pork Carnitas?

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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