Juicy Pork Carnitas (Slow Cooker or Stovetop)

I love making this carnitas recipe because it is simple to prepare and incredibly versatile. Once the pork is tender and crisped, you can use it in tacos, rice bowls, quesadillas, enchiladas, burritos, sandwiches, and more. The pork turns out juicy, savory, and packed with flavor. You can prepare it in a slow cooker or cook it on the stovetop in a Dutch oven, making it an easy option for any day of the week.

Ingredients

Notes & Substitutions

• Boneless Pork Shoulder – You may find pork shoulder labeled as pork butt, Boston butt, or pork for carnitas. Cut the pork into roughly 2–3-inch chunks so it cooks evenly and becomes tender efficiently. Trim away excess fat before cooking.
• Onion – Either a white or sweet onion works well. The onion becomes very soft during cooking, so you can remove it afterward or keep it if you enjoy adding it to tacos, enchiladas, or burrito bowls.
• Garlic Cloves – Fresh garlic works well, but you can substitute about 2 teaspoons of garlic powder. Garlic can sometimes turn blue or green when cooked in acidic ingredients such as citrus juice. This is a harmless reaction.
• Orange Juice – Freshly squeezed orange juice and organic orange juice both work well, so use whichever is most convenient.
• Lime Juice – Fresh lime juice or bottled lime juice can be used. If using fresh limes, about 2–3 should provide enough juice.

See the recipe card below for the complete ingredient list and exact measurements.

How to Make Carnitas on the Stove

1) Cook the Pork

Place the cubed pork shoulder in a Dutch oven with onion, garlic, orange juice, lime juice, oregano, salt, and water. Bring everything to a simmer and cook for around 2 hours, or until the pork is tender enough to shred easily.

2) Shred & Reduce

Remove and shred the tender pork. Then continue cooking the liquid until it has reduced by about half. Spread the shredded pork onto a baking sheet and spoon some of the reduced cooking liquid over the meat.

3) Crisp your Carnitas

Place the pork under the broiler for approximately 4–6 minutes until the edges become crispy. Toss the meat with additional cooking liquid and broil it again until you reach your preferred level of crispiness. Add a little extra salt and fresh lime juice before serving if desired.

How to Make Carnitas in a Slow Cooker

1) Cook the Pork

Add the cubed pork shoulder, onion, garlic, orange juice, lime juice, oregano, and salt to your slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours, until the pork is tender and easy to pull apart.

2) Shred

Transfer the cooked pork to a baking sheet and shred it into smaller pieces. Spread the meat into an even layer, then drizzle approximately ½ cup of the cooking liquid over the pork.

3) Crisp Your Carnitas

Broil the shredded pork for about 5–7 minutes until the edges become crisp. Turn or toss the pork, add another small amount of cooking liquid, and broil for another 4–6 minutes. Finish with salt and a squeeze of lime juice if you like.

Ways to Eat Carnitas

Tacos – Fill warm tortillas with crispy carnitas and top them with diced onion, fresh cilantro, and lime juice. Add pico de gallo or guacamole for even more flavor.

Carnitas Quesadillas – Combine carnitas with melted cheese inside tortillas, then cook until the tortillas are crisp and golden. They are also a great way to use leftover pork.

Carnitas Enchiladas – Roll seasoned carnitas inside tortillas, arrange them in a baking dish, then cover with enchilada sauce and cheese before baking.

Burrito Bowls – Build a filling bowl with cilantro-lime rice, carnitas, black beans, corn, pico de gallo, guacamole, salsa, and shredded lettuce.

Nachos – Spread crispy tortilla chips on a baking sheet and layer them with carnitas, melted cheese, beans, jalapeños, and sour cream.

Loaded Fries – Turn crispy fries into a complete meal by topping them with carnitas, cheese, pico de gallo, and a drizzle of crema.

Carnitas Burrito – Wrap carnitas in a large tortilla with your favorite fillings, such as refried beans, rice, cheese, and fresh toppings, then serve warm.

Breakfast Hash – Add leftover carnitas to crispy potatoes and top with eggs for a hearty and flavorful breakfast.