Easy Carnitas Pulled Pork
Transform your weeknight dinners with this Easy Carnitas Pulled Pork recipe—juicy, flavorful, and irresistibly crispy! Made with tender, slow-cooked pork shoulder infused with the zesty brightness of orange and lime juice, aromatic garlic, and a savory blend of spices, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality carnitas from the comfort of your kitchen. With just 15 minutes of prep and the help of a slow cooker, you’ll have melt-in-your-mouth shredded pork, perfectly crisped in a skillet for authentic texture. Served in tacos, burritos, or atop a bowl of rice, these carnitas are perfect to customize with fresh toppings like cilantro, onion, or avocado. Ideal for family meals or meal prep, this effortlessly delicious recipe is a must-try for anyone seeking bold, Mexican-inspired flavors!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 pounds pork shoulder (boneless)
- 1 orange (juiced)
- 1 lime (juiced)
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
Trim any excess fat from the pork shoulder and cut it into 4 large chunks for even cooking.
In a slow cooker, combine the pork chunks, orange juice, lime juice, minced garlic, diced onion, chicken broth, cumin, oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours, until the pork is tender and easily falls apart when shredded with a fork.
Once the pork is fully cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Transfer the shredded pork to a large bowl.
Strain the liquid from the slow cooker to remove solids, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid to use later.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil.
Working in batches, add a portion of the shredded pork to the skillet, spreading it out in an even layer. Allow the pork to crisp up for 2-3 minutes without stirring, then flip and crisp the other side. Repeat for all the pork.
Once crispy, pour a small amount of the reserved cooking liquid over the pork in the skillet to keep it moist and flavorful.
Serve the carnitas warm in tacos, burritos, or over rice, and garnish with your favorite toppings like cilantro, diced onion, salsa, or avocado.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4998 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 390.7 g | 501% | |
| Saturated Fat | 130.9 g | 654% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 16.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1270 mg | 423% | |
| Sodium | 6382 mg | 277% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 52.8 g | 19% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.4 g | 19% | |
| Total Sugars | 28.6 g | ||
| Protein | 335.5 g | 671% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 332 mg | 26% | |
| Iron | 24.8 mg | 138% | |
| Potassium | 6045 mg | 129% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
