Pork Carnitas Mexican Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Carnitas Recipe

Savory Mexican seasoned pulled pork carnitas slow-cooked in flavorful citrus and Mexican lager beer braising liquid.  Perfect for tacos, carnitas bowls, and more. 

Take advantage of the HOT sale on pork shoulder at Safeway and make this carnitas recipe, perfect to feed a crowd. 

Carnitas are a 

Ingredients in Carnitas

  • 3 lbs. pork shoulder
  • 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 orange, quartered
  • 1 lime, halved
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons pepper
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 can of beer, preferably a Mexican style lager
  • optional toppings – jalapeno, avocado, sliced red onion, cheese

Mango Salsa – Optional

  • 1 mango, diced 
  • 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
  •  1 tablespoon diced jalapeno
  • 1 tablespoon cilantro, minced
  • juice of a lime
  • salt and pepper to taste

carnitas_ingredients

 

How to Make Mexican Pulled Pork Carnitas

The pork shoulder should be cooked low and slow in the braising liquid so that it can be shredded easily with two forks.  You can either use a slow cooker, the oven or the instant pot.  Cooking instructions for each are provided below.  I prefer to do it in the slow cooker as that is easiest for me, but you can follow whichever method you prefer. 

Generously season the pork shoulder with salt, pepper, dried oregano, and cumin.  

Place a layer of sliced onions on the bottom of the slow cooker.  Add the seasoned pork shoulder.  Top with additional onions.  Add the orange quarters, lime and the can of beer. 

Top with the lid and cook on low heat for 10 – 12 hours. 

Once the pork is cooked, remove the bone, if there is one, also remove the orange and lime pieces from the slow cooker.  Shred the pork with two forks.

Preheat the oven to 350° F.

This step is optional – but highly recommended.  Place the pulled pork onto a baking sheet, reserving the juices in the slow cooker.   Cook the pork for about 10 minutes, just until it’s crispy on top.  Place into a serving platter and pour the reserved juices back over the top. 

Serve with charred corn or flour tortillas, avocados, queso fresco, fresh red onion, and a fresh mango salsa if desired. 

 

carnitas_mexican_pulled-Pork

 

Additional Pork Recipes:

Instant Pot Carnitas

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork With Spicy Slaw Using Santa Maria Seasoned Pork Roast

Instant Pot Country Style Ribs Recipe

Crockpot Posole Recipe

8 Delicious Ways to Cook a Pork Shoulder

 

Carnitas_Recipe

Pork Carnitas - Mexican Pulled Pork

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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Mexican Pulled Pork, Pork Carnitas, Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 12 hours
Total Time: 12 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories:
Author: Eva Fry

Ingredients

Carnitas Mexican Pulled Pork

  • 3 lbs. pork shoulder
  • 1 medium yellow onion thinly sliced
  • 1 orange quartered
  • 1 lime halved
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons pepper
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 can of beer preferably a Mexican style lager
  • optional toppings - jalapeno avocado, sliced red onion, cheese

Mango Salsa - Optional

  • 1 mango diced
  • 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
  • 1 tablespoon diced jalapeno
  • 1 tablespoon cilantro minced
  • juice of a lime
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Generously season the pork shoulder with salt, pepper, dried oregano, and cumin.
  • Place a layer of sliced onions on the bottom of the slow cooker.  Add the seasoned pork shoulder.  Top with additional onions.  Add the orange quarters, lime and the can of beer.
  • Top with the lid and cook on low heat for 10 - 12 hours.
  • Once the pork is cooked, remove the bone, if there is one, also remove the orange and lime pieces from the slow cooker.  Shred the pork with two forks.
  • Preheat the oven to 350° F.
  • This step is optional - but highly recommended.  Place the pulled pork onto a baking sheet, reserving the juices in the slow cooker.   Cook the pork for about 10 minutes, just until it's crispy on top.  Place into a serving platter and pour the reserved juices back over the top.
  • Serve with charred corn or flour tortillas, avocados, queso fresco, fresh red onion, and a fresh mango salsa if desired.

pork_Carnitas_Tacos

What to Serve with Carnitas

The carnitas are a meal in themselves with the tortillas, but you could serve with Spanish rice, black beans, homemade salsa, or a salad.  You can  

Black Bean & Roasted Corn Salsa

Mango Avocado Salsa

 

 

 

 

SuperSafeway is a blog devoted to helping you find the best deals at Safeway in the Denver division.  Every week we slice and dice the ad and tell you the best deals at Safeway with and without coupons.  

For more low prices, check out the Safeway weekly ad and the Safeway coupon matchup page. Would you like to stay updated on the best deals? If so, make sure to like Super Safeway on Facebook, join our Facebook group, follow us on Twitter, subscribe to our Instagram, or head over to Pinterest. Also, make sure to subscribe to our newsletter.

* Please note – Savings information is based on Colorado pricing and the Safeway Coupon Policy for the Denver Division which includes Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Wyoming and South Dakota. Your market may vary. Prices may vary per location*

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