crispy slow cooker carnitas
Oh my goodness, people. I’ve stumbled upon a new way to make crispy pork carnitas. But instead of spending hours upon hours babysitting your carnitas in the oven, turning them countless times to get the crispies, and adding in tons of extra oil (or lard – eek), these delicious and crispy carnitas can be made in your slow cooker!
Are you ready for the secret?!?
It’s fabulously easy.
You just let the slow cooker do all of the work of preparing your tender and oh-so-flavorful pork. (And get ready – your home is going to smell amazing!) Then once the pork is ready, you shred it and lay it out on some baking sheets, and then briefly pop them under the broiler, giving them a quick turn and an extra dose of broth as they cook to keep them moist. BRILLIANT.
And to top it all off, I thought that the seasoning combo I tried for these carnitas turned out fantastic! Loved all of the Mexi spices, and I also threw in a bottle of a favorite (Kansas City!) beer for the cooking broth, which was fab. Definitely a delicious recipe everyone will love on tacos, burritos, salads, sandwiches, or whatever carnitas dish your heart desires. I know this one will definitely become a staple in my house!
A flavorful and easy way to make crispy carnitas using your slow cooker!
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp. canola or vegetable oil
- 1 (4-5 lb.) lean boneless pork roast, excess fat trimmed, cut into 3-inch chunks
- 8 oz. beer
- 1 large white onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp. chipotle powder (or 1 chipotle in adobo sauce)
- 2 tsp. cumin
- 1 tsp. chili powder
- 1 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
Method
Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the pork and sear on each side until browned (about 2 minutes per side). Transfer pork to the slow cooker.
Add remaining ingredients, and give the mixture a careful stir to combine. Cook on low for 6-8 hours until the pork is completely tender and shreds easily with a fork.
Once the pork is cooked, preheat your broiler to high heat and prepare two baking sheets with aluminum foil. Use a fork to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces, and then use a slotted spoon to transfer it to the prepared baking sheets, spreading it out evenly in a single layer. Reserve the remaining broth from the slow cooker.
Place one sheet under the broiler for about 5 minutes, or until the edges of the pork begin crisping up. Remove the sheet, and use a spatula or tongs to carefully toss the pork. Then ladle about 1/4 cup of the remaining slow cooker broth over the pork. Broil for an additional 5 minutes to get the meat more crispy. Then remove and ladle an additional 1/4 cup of broth over the crispy pork.
Repeat with the other baking sheet of pork.
Serve immediately in tacos, burritos, salads, or whatever sounds good to you! Or cover and refrigerate or freeze.
http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/crispy-slow-cooker-carnitas/




Can’t wait to make these! One question: cut into 3 inch cubes before the crockpot? I can’t tell if you cook the roast whole or in little chunks? Please help! Thanks!!
I have got to learn how to use a slow cooker…those look amazing!!!
I found Chipotle bullion type cubes… haven’t been able to find the powder. Do you think those will work?
Can you cook on high for a shorter time and still get the same results?
Omg…made these for dinner tonight and they are fantastic!!! Super easy to make and totally crave inducing! Hubby’s on a diet and he’s mad mad mad. Thanks so much for this great recipe!
My family made this for Superbowl Sunday and now I’m trying to make it again but, I can’t find the recipe. Just the pictures and blog entry no recipe. Please help.
Where can I get chipotle powder?
Made this last night–it was great! Much better than what I’ve made before. I will reduce the salt next time.
About to make these a reality… thanks for the recipe… tell you how they taste soon!
THIS is exactly what I was searching for… assembling my spices right away! Thanks!
I want these so badly it makes me cry.
Oh my dear god. I made these last night and they were way better than the carnitas I normally make. Thank you!
Wow! I’ve loved every recipe I’ve looked at so far. New to your site and about to be a frequent stalker .. I mean visitor to your site. Good grief don’t give out your address lmao or you’ll have guests for supper frequently! <3
You are a genius!!! The slow cooker is my BFF this time of year and you just gave me a new recipe to through in the rotation. We eat tacos at least once a week! ps- I always cook my pork in beer- love that you are on the same page!!
Love these pictures! They look really good but wow, the pictures. I think dishes with tortillas are always difficult to photograph but you did an awesome job. :)
Love a simpler way to make delicious carnitas! These are beautiful.
This IS brilliant! I love slow cooker season :)
mmmmm I wish this had been my dinner tonight ;)
Oh, girl… these are SOOOOO up my alley!!!!!!! :)
Ugh ok, now you’ve convinced me Ali. I need a slow cooker! I don’t have one. I feel so unladylike. :(
These look divine! And I have a mexican night on Friday… I already know I’m making guacamole but I needed a main dish. Perhaps this is my excuse to get that slow cooker!!!
I was just craving tacos! I was in search of the perfect recipe and I think I’ve found it!
I’d love to have some of this right now, love the method!!
oh, this looks delicious! will have to try this one!
it looks amazing! I cna’t wait to try making it!
These are my kind of tacos!
The slow cooker truly is a dream! Love these… now where are mine? I’m hungry.
Ali – what beer did you use for this recipe? I think Jeremy would love this!
Boulevard, baby — we’re in KC! ;)
Tell Jeremy hi for me!
Look at all that cilantro + onion goodness! I neeed.
Freaking. Love. This.
Can’t wait to try this! They look delicious and beautiful photos!
Delicious! I do slow cooker carnitas, but I don’t crisp them up. Nice twist!
Oh heck yes, I will be trying these. They look absolutely amazing. Pork carnitas rock!
Such a great idea to use the slow cooker; the meat looks like it’s falling apart. Love the pictures too!
I adore pork carnitas… and awesome pics here!