Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas is an easy and flavor-packed pork recipe! A pork roast is cooked low and slow with onions, oranges and spices to create a fall-apart tender and flavorful carnitas recipe. Shred and serve as carnitas tacos, burritos, burrito bowls, salads and more!

What Cut of Pork to Use

For this recipe I recommend using a boneless pork shoulder butt roast. It’s easy to handle, cook and shred. It works perfectly! If it comes with a cooking twine netting wrapped around it, simply cut it off prior to placing the roast in the slow cooker. Trust me, it is much easier to do it before the roast is cooked! Speaking from personal experience here haha.

Another option would be to use a bone-in pork shoulder roast, if you are able to find one that is around the 4-5 pound range. The only thing about using a bone-in roast, is that it will need a bit longer cooking time since it has a bone. The bone will also need to be removed prior to shredding and serving.

How to Make Carnitas

If you’ve been through the Chipotle line or dined in Mexican restaurants, you’ve most likely seen carnitas on the menu. It may seem like a daunting recipe to make at home, but it couldn’t be easier! Think of carnitas as the Mexican version of pulled pork or bbq pulled pork.

Here’s how to make carnitas at home:

Place the pork roast in a slow cooker.
Rub it down with a homemade spice blend (you probably have most of these items in your spice cupboard already!)
Arrange the onion and orange slices around the roast.
Cover with a lid and cook low and slow!

See? Easy peasy!

How to Serve

Not only is this pork carnitas recipe simple to make (and leaves your home smelling AMAZING), but it can also be served so many different ways! It’s perfect for a weeknight meal, dinner party, celebration, Cinco de Mayo party, football food, healthy meal prep and so much more! Here are some ways to serve:

Tacos – hard shell or soft shell! I personally like to use soft white corn tortillas.
Burritos – roll it up with your favorite burrito companions: cheese, rice, beans, salsas etc.
Burrito bowl – create your own burrito bowls at home! I love to use my Cilantro Coconut Rice as the base and then use toppings galore!
Salad – top your favorite salad with some warm carnitas to take it to the next level.

All you have to do is simply shred the roast after it is done cooking and submerge the carnitas in the wonderful juices it was cooked in. This really helps the pork to stay flavorful and tender! If you are making this ahead of time and storing, I recommend storing it in the cooled juices as it will help keep the carnitas tender when reheated. Plus, it’s just too good to resist!

Looking for other Pork Recipes? Check these out!

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Balsamic Glazed Pork Tenderloin

Herb Smothered Pork Chops

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