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Crispy Homemade Carnitas Slow Cooker Recipe for Perfect Tacos

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This easy slow cooker carnitas recipe delivers juicy, tender pork with crispy edges, perfect for tacos, burritos, or bowls. With simple ingredients and minimal hands-on time, it’s a crowd-pleasing, restaurant-quality dish for any taco night.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3–4 lbs pork shoulder (Boston Butt), trimmed of excess fat
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional but recommended)
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced (or 2 tsp garlic powder)
  • 1 large onion, roughly chopped
  • 1 large orange, juiced (about 1/2 cup), spent halves reserved
  • 2 limes, juiced (about 1/4 cup)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (or water or bone broth)
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil (for crisping)
  • Corn tortillas, warmed (for serving)
  • Toppings: chopped cilantro, diced onions, sliced radishes, avocado, salsa, lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Trim excess fat from pork shoulder, leaving some for flavor. Cut into 3-4 large chunks.
  2. Sprinkle pork with salt, black pepper, cumin, oregano, and smoked paprika. Add minced garlic and toss to coat evenly.
  3. Place chopped onion in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add seasoned pork on top.
  4. Pour in orange juice, lime juice, and chicken broth. Tuck bay leaves and spent orange halves around the meat.
  5. Cook on low for 8 hours (or high for 4-5 hours).
  6. Transfer pork to a cutting board when tender. Shred with tongs or forks. Discard bay leaves and orange halves.
  7. Pour remaining cooking liquid into a saucepan and simmer for 5-10 minutes until slightly thickened. Skim excess fat if desired.
  8. Preheat oven broiler. Spread shredded pork on a foil-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with vegetable oil and 1/2 cup of reduced liquid.
  9. Broil for 3-5 minutes until edges are golden and crispy. Flip and broil another 2-3 minutes.
  10. Serve hot in warm corn tortillas with desired toppings.

Notes

For best flavor, marinate pork overnight with seasonings. Use pork shoulder for juiciness; pork loin works for a leaner version. Reduce cooking liquid for extra moisture and flavor. Broil in batches for maximum crispiness. All ingredients are naturally gluten-free and dairy-free; check broth labels. Leftovers freeze well and taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: carnitas, slow cooker, tacos, Mexican, pork, crispy, easy, gluten-free, dinner, party, meal prep

Find it online: https://hungermind.com/crispy-homemade-carnitas-slow-cooker-recipe-for-perfect-tacos/