Slow-Cooker Pork Carnitas with Citrus and Cilantro

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-24 · Updated 2026-04-24

Tender, juicy pork shoulder infused with citrus and herbs, ideal for a relaxed summer gathering. This Mexican-inspired Father’s Day recipe, ready in about 495 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 350 calories and feeds 4, 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

• 2 lbs, trimmed pork shoulder
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 4 cloves, minced garlic
• 1 medium, chopped onion
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro

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

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place 2 lbs trimmed pork shoulder in slow cooker. Add 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp dried oregano, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 chopped medium onion, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine.
2. Step 2: Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours until pork is fork-tender.
3. Step 3: Remove pork and shred with two forks. Return shredded pork to slow cooker and stir in 1/4 cup chopped cilantro.
4. Step 4: Serve with lime wedges.