Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas – succulent, tender and flavorful pulled pork with minimal work. Wrap these carnitas up in warm flour tortillas for delicious tacos, perfect for an easy family meal or a casual dinner party.
A Slow Cooker Version of Traditional Carnitas
Carnitas translates to “little meats” and is a popular dish in Mexican cuisine. Traditionally, they are made by slow simmering large chunks of well-seasoned pork in lard in a copper pot.
My version is made in the slow cooker with minimal prep. And, there is no lard, oil or any other added fat. You just add the ingredients to the slow cooker and leave the pork to do its thing and simmer away for hours. It’s so simple and your house will smell amazing.
The result is tender, juicy, succulent pork that you shred with two forks. Serve the shredded meat on warm tortillas with your choice of toppings.
I like to add slices of creamy avocado. A dollop of sour cream and slices of red onion give a little crunch and tanginess. Fresh cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime adds brightness.
This recipe makes a lot, 8-12 servings depending on the size of your roast. So, this is a great dish for a potluck or a casual dinner party. Set up a taco station and let guests serve themselves.
Set out the shredded pork, kept warm in the slow cooker. Include warm tortillas and various toppings such as sour cream, slices of red onion and avocados, fresh cilantro leaves and slices of lime. And, guests can assemble their own tacos to their liking. Perfect for simple, easy entertaining.
Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
Notes
If anyone in your party is not a cilantro fan, omit if from the slow cooker and serve only as a topping instead.
Ingredients
- 1 (3 – 4 lb) boneless pork butt roast
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (see Notes)
- 2 (4 oz) cans chopped green chilies
- 1 cup salsa verde, or other mild salsa
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 16 – 24 (6-inch) fajita size flour tortillas, warmed
- optional toppings: fresh cilantro leaves, sliced avocado, sliced red onion, light sour cream
- optional: lime wedges
Instructions
- Place pork butt in 6-quart slow cooker.
- Add garlic, green onion, cilantro, salsa, green chilies, salt and pepper to slow cooker.
- Pour chicken broth over mixture in slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on LOW heat for 7-8 hours or until meat is tender.
- Remove roast from slow cooker onto a cutting board. Shred meat with 2 forks. Return meat to slow cooker and stir to combine with sauce.
- Serve shredded pork on warm tortillas with slices of avocado, red onion, fresh cilantro and sour cream, if desired. Squeeze fresh lime over tacos, if desired.
Can you do this on high for 4 hours for a faster cook time??
Hi Karina, yes, you can cook this on high heat for about 4-5 hours. You’ll know the meat is done when you can easily shred it using two forks. Hope you give it a try and enjoy!
I love me some slow cooker recipes. I’m looking forward to trying some of yours esp. the pork carnitas!
Thanks Rebecca! I agree, slow cooker recipes are the best!
We love carnitas! And making them in the slow cooker just makes them so easy.
Thanks for coming by Jade!
Yum!! this looks good! This would go down really well with my family 🙂 Definitely pinning!
Thanks Dini! Thanks for the pin!
Yum! I love carnitas 🙂 Sharing and pinning!
Thanks Jenny! Thanks so much for sharing!
Yum! I’m a big fan of anything Mexican or Tex-Mex style. This really looks delicious! My family would love it! Sharing and pinning!
Thanks Michelle! I love Mexican and Tex Mex too! Thanks do much for sharing 🙂
I’ve never tried making carnitas. I love that this is done in a crock pot. My family and I love Mexican and Tex Mex food, so I know this would be a hit. Cilantro on mine only though. The guys don’t like it!
Thank you for stopping by and linking this week!
Thanks Michelle! These are so easy in the crock pot!
[…] are so many different recipes you can make with a boneless pork roast, this Slow Cooker Pork Ragu, Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas, pulled pork, the list goes on and on, and with the slow cooker, they are all so […]
Hi Joy, oooo I love slow cooking, these look so good!!!
Thanks for sharing on Oh My Heartsie Girl Friday Feature!!! Happy New Year!!!
Thanks so much Karren! Happy New Year!
Awesome and using a crock pot? Perfect! I’d love it if you shared this at the Saturday Showcase at Bowdabra.com
~Crystal
Thanks Crystal! I’ll be sure to come by Saturday Showcase, thanks for the invite 🙂
So. Much. Yes. I make a LOT of tacos in my house. These are perfect. The only change I would make is to add sliced radish—the perfect taco topping.
Thanks for sharing!!! Visiting from Totally Terrific Tuesday 🙂
Hi, thanks so much! Radish would be a wonderful topping addition, yum! Thanks for coming by 🙂
Oh my! Yum! Pinned and tweeted. Lou Lou Girls
Thanks so much!
Thank you so much for attending week 11 of #PureBlogLove and linking your fantastic blog post. These pork carnitas look delicious 🙂 I can’t wait to see what you have in store for our party next week Thursday 8 PM EST- Sundays at midnight. Your post has been added to the #PureBlogLove Pinterest board for all to see 🙂 Have a great day!
Nicole
Thanks so much Nicole!
Looks delish as always! I would think of making something like this for hubby – but out of some of the ingredients!
Hi Zan, hope you give it a try and enjoy!
Love your caritas recipe! I always need new ideas for pork roasts. Thanks this looks like a winner. It ‘s pinned!
Thanks Diane! Hope you give it a try and enjoy! Thanks for the pin 🙂