Crock Pot Pork Carnitas Recipe (2024)

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This Crock Pot Pork Carnitas recipe is a family favorite! It’s so easy to make in the Crock Pot or Instant Pot, and the leftovers make delicious meals like tacos, enchiladas, and burritos.


While this might not be a recipe for traditional Carnitas, I love that you can set it and forget it for the day in the Crock Pot or cook it hands free in the Instant Pot. The slow cooked pork comes out tender, flavorful, and ready to be made into a tasty carnitas taco, burrito bowl or taco salad.

Crock Pot Pork Carnitas Recipe (1)

Table of Contents

Where’s the recipe?

Here at My Crazy Good Life, we like to make our recipes easy for everyone to follow. In the article below, you’ll find lots of information including recipe tips and ingredient substitutions to help you with every aspect of making this recipe. I recommend reading it before heading to the printable recipe.

If you’re more comfortable in the kitchen and don’t need the extra help, simply scroll to the bottom of the page where you’ll find the easy to print Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas recipe!

Ingredients for Pork Carnitas

  • Pork Tenderloin: I always look for the leanest one I can find. You can use another cut of meat (boneless pork shoulder roast is popular), but tenderloin is the leanest. Whatever your grocery store has will work.
  • Green Chile Salsa: Find one with the fewest ingredients you can.
  • Diced tomatoes and Green chilies: Also called Rotel in some areas. Rotel is just tomatoes and green chilies.
  • Onions: Any color will do! I prefer to cook with red onions.
  • Bay Leaves: You’ll be adding these to the recipe before cooking and removing them after it’s cooked–try to not bury it down below the meat so they’re easy to grab out before eating.
  • Spices: This recipe uses simple Mexican spices. Cayenne Pepper, Chili Powder, and Cumin
  • Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt: As a topping, if desired.
  • Salt and Black Pepper: To taste.

Optional ingredients and sides:

  • warm tortillas
  • black beans or refried beans
  • Mexican rice
  • tortilla chips and salsa
  • fresh cilantro and fresh squeezed lime juice
Crock Pot Pork Carnitas Recipe (2)

How to make Crockpot Pork Carnitas

Slow cooking this recipe is the easiest method I’ve found.

  1. Cut the onions: Cut one onion into thick slices and line the bottom of your crock pot with them. Dice the other onion and set aside.
  2. Add the pork: Place pork tenderloin on top of the onions and sprinkle cayenne pepper, chili powder, cumin, and add bay leaves onto the top of the pork.
  3. Add sauces: Pour half of the jar of salsa and the entire can of Rotel over and around the pork.
  4. Cook: Cook on low heat for 5-8 hours, depending on the size of your tenderloin.
  5. Shred the pork: Take the bay leaves out of the Crock Pot and discard. Pull the pork loin out of the slow cooker and shred it, then add it back into the liquid.
  6. Serve! Serve with the rest of the bottle of green chili salsa, warm corn or flour tortillas, diced onions, and sour cream or Greek yogurt.
Crock Pot Pork Carnitas Recipe (3)

How to make Instant Pot Carnitas

  1. Prepare the pot: Spray the bottom of your Instant Pot with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Cut the onions: Slice one onion into thick slices and use them to cover the bottom of the pressure cooker. It’s ok if they overlap. Dice the other onion and set it aside.
  3. Add the pork: Add the pork on top of the onions. If you need to cut the pork into chunks so it fits better, you can do that.
  4. Sprinkle cayenne pepper, cumin and chili powder, and place bay leaves on the pork.
  5. Add sauces: Add 1/2 of the green chili salsa and the entire can of Rotel on and around the pork. This recipe does not need any extra liquid added. The salsa and tomatoes are enough.
  6. Set your pressure valve to Sealing and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes per pound of pork.
  7. Allow a 15 minute natural release after the cook time is finished. This means that for 15 minutes after the cook time is done, don’t touch the sealing valve–the pressure will begin to release all by itself. After 15 minutes, flip the valve to Venting and allow the rest of the pressure to release.
  8. Remove and discard the bay leaves.
  9. Shred the pork: Remove the pork from the pot with a slotted spoon and shred meat with a mixer or two forks.
  10. Add the pork back to the pot. I like to let it sit for a few minutes and soak in the seasoned liquid.
  11. Serve with the rest of the bottle of green chile salsa, warm flour or corn tortillas, diced onions, and sour cream or Greek yogurt.
Crock Pot Pork Carnitas Recipe (4)

Recipe Tips

  • For crispy carnitas: Sear the pork on all sides for a few minutes using a hot skillet and olive oil, avocado oil or cooking spray, then transfer to your slow cooker to cook. When the pork is cooked and shredded, place meat on a large baking sheet and add 1/2 cup – 1 cup cooking liquid. Broil for 1-2 minutes or until browned, then flip with tongs, add more liquid, and repeat.
  • If you’re using an Instant Pot and want Carnitas with crispy edges, allow the shredded pork to sit in the pot for 5-10 minutes to add additional flavor, then drain the liquid, move the pork to the sides and spray nonstick cooking spray (or drizzle olive or avocado oil) below it. Press sauté and allow pork to crisp for 3-10 minutes, depending on how crispy you want it.
  • If you’re looking to reduce the spicy heat in this recipe, leave the cayenne pepper out and reduce the chili powder to 1/4 tsp.
  • Onion, garlic, pico de Gallo and a spritz of lime juice are great toppings and flavors that blend well with the meat.
  • You can use pork butt or shoulder, but be sure recalculate your nutrition info as tenderloin is typically a leaner cut than those two.
  • Store leftover Carnitas in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. I swear this recipe tastes even better the next day.
Crock Pot Pork Carnitas Recipe (5)

Healthy Eating Plans

Weight Watchers: Please see this Weight Watcher Carnitas Recipe for the lowest point options.

Trim Healthy Mama

  • These slow cooker carnitas are an S recipe on THM without any needed modifications! That means you can enjoy this delicious recipe for pork carnitas crockpot style without any added steps.

21 Day Fix/Portion Fix

I count these as follows: 3/4 cup of Pork Carnitas = 1 Red Container.

  • Add veggies to your carnitas if you’d like for some extra greens–I love adding peppers and more onion!
  • Garnish with unflavored greek yogurt and count in your red container.
  • 2 small corn tortillas count as 1 yellow container.
  • Other optional (free!) toppings are cilantro and lime.

More healthy Crock Pot recipes

  • Healthy Stuffed Pepper Soup
  • Healthy Crock Pot Jambalaya
  • Crock Pot Chicken for Meal Prep

Crock Pot Pork Carnitas Recipe (6)

4.22 from 46 ratings

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Pork Carnitas: Instant Pot and Crock Pot

Created by: Becca Ludlum

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 6 hours hrs

Total Time 6 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Approximate Serving Size: 3/4 cup

Servings 6 people

Crock Pot Pork Carnitas are a spicy carnitas recipe that your whole family will love! Instant Pot and Crockpot instructions included. Make carnitas tacos, carnitas enchiladas, and burrito bowls from this recipe!

Equipment

  • Crockpot

  • Instant Pot 6 qt

  • Sealing Rings

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs pork tenderloin
  • 2 onions sliced thick
  • 2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin powder
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 8 oz green chile salsa or diced green chiles
  • 1 can Rotel or tomatoes with diced green chilies

Instructions

Crock Pot Instructions

  • Slice one onion into thick slices and line the bottom of your crock pot with them. Dice the other onion and set aside for a topping. 2 onions

  • Place pork tenderloin on top of the onions and sprinkle cayenne pepper, chili powder, cumin, and add bay leaves on the pork. 3 lbs pork tenderloin, 2 tsp cayenne pepper, 2 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp cumin powder, 2 bay leaves

  • Pour half of the jar of salsa and the entire can of Rotel over and around pork. 8 oz green chile salsa, 1 can Rotel

  • Cook on low for 5-8 hours, depending on the size of your tenderloin.

  • Take the bay leaves out of the Crock Pot and discard. Pull the pork loin out of the slow cooker and shred it, then add it back into the crockpot.

  • Serve with the rest of the bottle of green chile salsa, warm flour or corn tortillas, diced onions, and sour cream or Greek yogurt.

Instant Pot Instructions

  • Spray the bottom of your Instant Pot with nonstick cooking spray.

  • Slice one onion into thick slices and use them to cover the bottom of the pot. It’s ok if they overlap. 2 onions

  • Add the pork on top of the onions. If you need to cut the pork into chunks so it fits better, you can do that. 3 lbs pork tenderloin

  • Sprinkle cayenne pepper, cumin and chili powder, and place bay leaves on the pork. 2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/2 tsp cumin powder, 2 tsp chili powder, 2 bay leaves

  • Add 1/2 of the green chile salsa and the entire can of Rotel on and around the pork. This recipe does not need any extra liquid added. The salsa and tomatoes are enough. 8 oz green chile salsa, 1 can Rotel

  • Flip your valve to Sealing and Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes per pound.

  • Allow a 15 minute natural release after the cook time is finished. This means that for 15 minutes after the cook time is done, don’t touch the sealing valve–the pressure will begin to release all by itself. After 15 minutes, flip the valve to Venting and allow the rest of the pressure to release.

  • Remove and discard the bay leaves.

  • Remove the pork from the pot and shred with a mixer or two forks.

  • Add the pork back to the pot. I like to let it sit for a few minutes and soak in the seasoned liquid.

  • Serve with the rest of the bottle of green chile salsa, warm flour or corn tortillas, diced onions, and sour cream or Greek yogurt.

Video

Notes

  • For crispy carnitas: Sear the pork on all sides for a few minutes using a hot skillet and olive oil, avocado oil or cooking spray, then transfer to your slow cooker to cook. When the pork is cooked and shredded, place meat on a large baking sheet and add 1/2 cup – 1 cup cooking liquid. Broil for 1-2 minutes or until browned, then flip with tongs, add more liquid, and repeat.
  • If you’re using an Instant Pot and want Carnitas with crispy edges, allow the shredded pork to sit in the pot for 5-10 minutes to add additional flavor, then drain the liquid, move the pork to the sides and spray nonstick cooking spray (or drizzle olive or avocado oil) below it. Press sauté and allow pork to crisp for 3-10 minutes, depending on how crispy you want it.
  • If you’re looking to reduce the spicy heat in this recipe, leave the cayenne pepper out and reduce the chili powder to 1/4 tsp.
  • Onion, garlic, pico de Gallo and a spritz of lime juice are great toppings and flavors that blend well with the meat.
  • You can use pork butt or shoulder, but be sure recalculate your nutrition info as tenderloin is typically a leaner cut than those two.
  • Store leftover Carnitas in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. I swear this recipe tastes even better the next day.

Trim Healthy Mama

These slow cooker carnitas are an S recipe on THM without any needed modifications! That means you can enjoy this delicious recipe for pork carnitas crockpot style without any added steps.

21 Day Fix/Portion Fix

I count these as follows: 3/4 cup of Pork Carnitas = 1 Red Container.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 411kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 63g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 196mg | Sodium: 452mg | Potassium: 1476mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 835IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 3.9mg

Make This Recipe?

Make sure to follow on Pinterest @bludlum and on Instagram @beccaludlum

Crock Pot Pork Carnitas Recipe (7)

Becca Ludlum

Healthy recipe creator, self-confessed food snob, and certified Level 1 Precision Nutrition Coach. I create healthy recipes with minimally processed ingredients, but have never turned down a homemade brownie. ;)

Crock Pot Pork Carnitas Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to good carnitas? ›

Carnitas seasoning – rub pork with a simple spice mix of oregano, cumin, salt and pepper. Flavour for cooking – top pork in slow cooker with onion, garlic and jalapeño, then pour over orange juice (the secret ingredient!).

How do you keep pork carnitas from drying out? ›

Oven temps for perfect carnitas

For our carnitas, we want the temperature of the confit cooking fat to be about 200°F (93°C) or a little higher. At this temperature, we won't be drying out the surface of the meat cubes while we heat their centers.

Do you put fat up or down in crockpot pulled pork? ›

Worgul recommends placing the pork in the slow-cooker fat side up. The fat will render thoroughly during the cooking process and by placing the meat fat side up, it makes it much easier to remove excess fat before serving. "The cooker will be nearly filled with fat and liquid after hours of cooking.

Why do you put orange juice in carnitas? ›

The orange juice in the cooking liquid provides acidity that helps break down the meat so it's extra tender and juicy.

Why do you add milk to carnitas? ›

Adding the oranges is very much like braising pork Cuban-style for the traditional cubano sandwich. The milk acts as a tenderizer, a secret I learned while growing up watching dad make his carnitas which, by the way, were always exceptionally tender.

What is the best oil for carnitas? ›

Vegetable oil: Traditional carnitas recipes use lard as their cooking fat, but we'll use vegetable or canola oil today. Pork shoulder roast: The best cut of meat for carnitas is pork shoulder AKA pork butt AKA Boston butt because it is well-marbled with fat and cooks up incredibly tender with a long braise.

Can you overcook pork carnitas? ›

Any cut of meat can become overcooked, even in the crockpot. Avoid cooking this pork carnitas recipe for longer than the times listed below, or the meat will end up tough and chewy.

How do you add moisture to carnitas? ›

Smothering it with barbecue sauce would probably help, but my favourite thing to do with leftover or less than successful carnitas is a pasta sauce. I just add the meat to a good tomato sauce with appropriate seasoning and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes.

What can I add to pulled pork to keep it moist? ›

Additionally, spray chicken broth or apple juice on the meat to prevent it from losing more moisture in the crockpot. To add a strong flavor during the process, white wine can also be sprayed. You can shred the pork during smoking or in the crockpot.

Should pulled pork be covered in liquid in slow cooker? ›

Your liquid should not cover your pork in the slow cooker: it should only come up about a quarter of the way up the sides. The pork will make more liquid as it cooks, and you need to leave room for that. And 10 hours later, this huge hunk of meat is tender and ready.

Should I rotate pork in slow cooker? ›

Close the Proofer and allow the pork to cook for a total of 10 or 11 hours. Midway during the slow cook process you can turn the pork over once. After 10 hours check the interior of the pork with a thermometer.

Should you flip pulled pork in slow cooker? ›

Cover with a lid and cook on low for 10 hours, flipping the pork butt over halfway through. Note: it's important to not overcook the pork butt, or it'll make the pork tough and stringy. If you're using a smaller or boneless pork butt you'll need to reduce the cooking time.

Why do they add Coke to carnitas? ›

This classic soda tenderizes pork shoulder, and classic carnitas spices like chili powder, cumin, and oregano add balance. After cooking until the pork is super tender, reduce the sauce until it makes a delicious glaze.

Should you sear carnitas before cooking? ›

Step One: The trick to getting the most flavorful carnitas, is to sear the pork before allowing it to braise for hours. First, season the pork with a liberal sprinkle of salt and then sear the pork pieces on both sides until golden brown in avocado oil. Browning the meat helps to develop a rich deep flavor.

What is the difference between pork carnitas and pulled pork? ›

Pulled Pork. Both carnitas and pulled pork are cooked slowly for several hours, and great to make in the slow cooker or instant pot. Unlike pulled pork, however, carnitas are finished by roasting the meat in the oven until browned and crisp.

How do restaurants cook carnitas? ›

They are braised until they are fall apart tender. Then they get roasted in the oven to make the outside crisp. So part of them should be soft, and part of the outside should be crusty. Some recipes don't crisp up the meat at the end but authentic carnitas should be crispped.

How do you fix bland carnitas? ›

To flavor carnitas all the way through, put them back in the braising liquid that has been reduced since cooking the pork. You can create a kind of glaze out of the braising liquid, and toss the shredded pork in that (defat the braising liquid before reducing it).

How do you spice up bland carnitas? ›

To spice up bland carnitas, try adding extra seasoning such as chili powder, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, or diced jalapeños for a kick of heat. You can also experiment with different herbs and spices to tailor the flavor to your liking.

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