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Tender Crockpot Pulled Pork Carnitas Tacos

crockpot pulled pork carnitas tacos - featured image
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A simple and flavorful slow-cooked pulled pork recipe perfect for easy weeknight dinners, delivering tender, juicy carnitas with a bright citrus twist.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3–4 pounds pork shoulder (pork butt), trimmed of excess fat
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for searing)
  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano (Mexican oregano if available)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup fresh orange juice (about 1 large orange)
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth or water
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Corn or flour tortillas (small size for tacos)
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Diced white onion
  • Fresh lime wedges
  • Your favorite salsa or pico de gallo
  • Optional: sliced avocado or guacamole

Instructions

  1. Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels and trim excess fat if desired.
  2. Mix salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, and chili powder in a small bowl. Rub the spice blend all over the pork shoulder evenly.
  3. Optional: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the pork on all sides until deep golden-brown, about 4-5 minutes per side.
  4. Place sliced onions and minced garlic at the bottom of the slow cooker. Set the seared pork on top.
  5. Pour orange juice, lime juice, and chicken broth around the pork, avoiding pouring directly on top. Add the bay leaf.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until pork is fall-apart tender.
  7. Remove pork from the crockpot and shred with two forks or tongs, discarding the bay leaf. Skim excess fat from cooking liquid if desired.
  8. Optional: Spread shredded pork on a baking sheet, spoon some reserved cooking liquid over it, and broil for 5-7 minutes until edges are crispy.
  9. Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or wrapped in foil in the oven until pliable.
  10. Assemble tacos by filling tortillas with pulled pork and topping with diced onions, cilantro, lime juice, salsa, and avocado as desired.

Notes

Searing the pork before slow cooking adds depth of flavor but is optional. Use fresh orange and lime juice for best flavor. Broiling shredded pork at the end crisps edges for authentic texture. Keep a little cooking liquid to moisten pork if needed. Avoid opening the slow cooker lid frequently to maintain temperature.

Nutrition

Keywords: pulled pork, carnitas, crockpot, slow cooker, tacos, easy dinner, weeknight meal, Mexican cuisine

Find it online: https://siennaspoon.com/tender-crockpot-pulled-pork-carnitas-tacos-recipe-easy-perfect-for-weeknight-dinners/