Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas: The Juiciest, Crispiest, Easiest Mexican Pulled Pork You’ll Ever Make

If you love deeply seasoned, fall-apart tender shredded pork with irresistibly crispy edges, this Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas recipe will become a permanent favorite in your kitchen. Carnitas—meaning “little meats” in Spanish—are an iconic Mexican dish known for incredible flavor, versatility, and juicy-meets-crispy texture. Traditionally, pork carnitas are slow-cooked in lard until tender, then crisped before serving. This recipe brings that same restaurant-quality experience straight to your home using the power of a slow cooker.

With minimal hands-on time and maximum payoff, slow cooker carnitas make an excellent meal for busy weeknights, weekend gatherings, tacos, burrito bowls, or meal prep. A pork shoulder infused with citrus, garlic, onions, and spices simmers low and slow until the fibers melt apart. Then, a quick flash under the broiler or in a hot skillet turns the shredded meat into the most irresistible combination of tender and crunchy bites.

This recipe is incredibly forgiving, extremely flavorful, and nearly impossible to mess up. Whether you’re a home cook building confidence, a busy parent who needs easy meals, or someone who wants authentic flavor without hours at the stove, Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas check every box.

Below, you’ll find everything you need: ingredients, step-by-step instructions, tips for crisping, serving ideas, variations, and more.

⭐ Why You’ll Love These Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

• Hands-off cooking: The slow cooker does almost all the work.
• Super tender: Pork shoulder becomes incredibly juicy and falls apart effortlessly.
• Perfectly seasoned: Bright citrus and earthy spices create classic carnitas flavor.
• Crispy edges: Built-in broiling step gives that essential carnitas texture.
• Versatile dish: Tacos, burritos, rice bowls, nachos—you name it.
• Meal prep friendly: Stores beautifully and reheats even better.

If you want a meal that feels restaurant-quality but couldn’t be easier, this is it.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

You only need a few simple ingredients, but each one plays an important role in creating deep, authentic flavor.

Ingredients

• 4–5 lbs pork shoulder (also called pork butt), trimmed of excess fat
• 1 large white onion, sliced
• 6 garlic cloves, smashed
• 1 orange, cut in half (juice added, then include spent halves)
• 2 limes, juiced
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 2 tsp cumin
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 2 bay leaves

Instructions: How to Make Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

1. Prepare the Pork

Trim excess fat from the pork shoulder and pat dry. Keeping a little fat is important, because that’s what gives carnitas their juicy texture, but large thick layers should be removed.

2. Season Generously

Mix salt, chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Rub the mixture all over the pork until fully coated.

3. Build Flavor in the Slow Cooker

Place sliced onions, garlic cloves, bay leaves, orange juice, lime juice, and chicken broth at the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the squeezed orange halves for extra flavor.

4. Cook Low and Slow

Place the seasoned pork shoulder on top of the aromatics.

• Cook on LOW for 8–10 hours
• Or cook on HIGH for 4–6 hours

When finished, the pork should shred effortlessly with a fork.

5. Shred the Pork

Transfer the cooked pork to a large bowl. Shred with two forks, discarding large fatty pieces. Strain the cooking liquid and reserve.

6. Crisp the Carnitas (Essential!)

This step transforms good carnitas into exceptional carnitas.

Option A – Broiler Method (Recommended):
Spread shredded pork onto a large baking sheet.
Pour ½–1 cup of cooking liquid evenly over the top.
Broil for 5–7 minutes, toss, then broil another 5 minutes until edges are browned.

Option B – Skillet Method:
Heat a skillet to medium-high.
Add a thin layer of shredded pork and drizzle a bit of cooking liquid over it.
Cook until crispy and caramelized, 5–8 minutes.

7. Serve

Serve hot with tortillas, rice, beans, or any of your favorite toppings.

Tips for the BEST Pork Carnitas

1. Use Pork Shoulder

This cut has the perfect balance of fat and connective tissue. Lean cuts like pork loin won’t shred properly.

2. Don’t Skip the Citrus

Orange and lime add brightness that balances the richness of the pork.

3. Crisp with the Cooking Liquid

The broth adds moisture back into the shredded meat and intensifies flavor during crisping.

4. Double Batch for Meal Prep

Carnitas freeze beautifully for up to 3 months and reheat without drying out.

5. Broil in Batches

Overcrowding your baking sheet prevents the pork from crisping properly.

Serving Suggestions

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas are incredibly versatile. Here are some delicious ways to enjoy them:

Classic Street Tacos

Serve carnitas on warm corn tortillas with fresh cilantro, diced onions, and lime wedges.

Burrito Bowls

Layer carnitas with rice, black beans, salsa, guacamole, and shredded lettuce.

Carnitas Nachos

Pile crispy carnitas over tortilla chips with cheese, jalapeños, and pico de gallo.

Quesadillas

Stuff crispy carnitas and melted cheese into flour tortillas—always a hit.

Torta Sandwich

Rolls + carnitas + avocado + pickled onions = incredible.

Breakfast Hash

Top roasted potatoes with carnitas and a sunny-side-up egg.

Flavor Variations

Spicy Carnitas

Add diced jalapeños or 1–2 chipotle peppers in adobo to the slow cooker.

Pineapple Carnitas

Add 1 cup crushed pineapple for tropical sweetness.

Garlic-Lovers Version

Double the garlic and add extra onion powder.

Beer-Braised Carnitas

Replace chicken broth with a light Mexican beer.

Cultural Context: A Taste of Mexico at Home

Carnitas originate from the Mexican state of Michoacán, famous for its rich pork traditions. Traditionally cooked in copper pots filled with lard, carnitas represent the deep culinary heritage of Mexican cuisine. While this slow cooker version offers a convenient modern twist, the flavors remain deeply rooted in tradition—bright citrus, earthy spices, and tender meat crisped to perfection.

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

Tender, juicy, citrus-infused pork cooked low and slow, then crisped to perfection for authentic carnitas flavor.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 hours hrs

Total Time 8 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American, Autumn

Calories: 310

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Carnitas

• 4-5 lbs pork shoulder trimmed
• 1 white onion sliced
• 6 cloves garlic smashed
• 1 orange juiced, halves included
• 2 limes juiced
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 2 tsp cumin
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 0.5 cup chicken broth
• 2 bay leaves

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Baking sheet
• Wire rack
• Hand mixer or stand mixer

Method

 

1. Trim excess fat from pork shoulder and pat dry.
2. Mix spices and rub mixture all over the pork.
3. Place onions, garlic, bay leaves, orange juice, lime juice, and broth into the slow cooker.
4. Add pork and cook on LOW for 8–10 hours or HIGH for 4–6 hours.
5. Shred pork and strain cooking liquid.
6. Spread meat on a baking sheet, pour cooking liquid, and broil until crispy.
7. Serve hot with tortillas, rice, or desired toppings.

Notes

For extra crispy carnitas, broil in batches and add extra cooking liquid between rounds.