Description
Make tender, flavorful pork carnitas in your slow cooker, finished under the broiler for a satisfyingly crispy exterior.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 lb pork shoulder (Boston butt), trimmed and cut into 2-inch chunks
- 1 large orange, halved
- 1 lime, halved
- 1 medium white onion, quartered
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup water or chicken broth
Instructions
- Place the pork chunks in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Squeeze the juice from the orange and lime halves over the pork. Place the spent citrus halves into the slow cooker.
- Add the onion, garlic, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker. Pour the water or broth over everything.
- Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 hours, until the pork is very tender.
- Remove the pork from the slow cooker using a slotted spoon and place it on a large cutting board. Discard the citrus halves and onion pieces.
- Shred the pork using two forks. If there is excess liquid in the slow cooker, skim off any visible fat from the top.
- Spread the shredded pork in a thin, even layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle 2 to 3 tablespoons of the cooking liquid over the pork for moisture.
- Place the baking sheet under your oven’s broiler on high. Watch closely. Broil for 3 to 5 minutes, until the edges of the pork are browned and crispy.
- Remove from the oven and serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, you can pan-fry the shredded pork in a little lard or oil after broiling until the edges crisp up further.
- If you prefer a less intense citrus flavor, use only one whole orange instead of two halves.
- Save the remaining cooking liquid to use as a sauce or to moisten leftovers.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 8 hr
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking and Broiling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Unsaturated Fat: 16
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 1
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 54
- Cholesterol: 150