Slow Cooker Carnitas Tacos
Slow cooker carnitas tacos are a mouthwatering delight that brings the flavors of Mexico right to your table. With tender, juicy pork slow-cooked to perfection and wrapped in warm tortillas, these tacos are topped with fresh cilantro and zesty lime for a burst of flavor. Easy to prepare and perfect for any occasion, they make mealtime a festive celebration.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 480 minutes (8 hours)
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Main
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 lbs pork shoulder (bone-in or boneless)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup fresh orange juice
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Tortillas (flour or corn) for serving
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
- Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Trim excess fat from the pork shoulder and cut into large chunks. Season generously with salt, cumin, chili powder, and pepper.
- Sauté diced onion and minced garlic in a skillet over medium heat until fragrant (about 2 minutes), then transfer to a slow cooker.
- Pour orange juice over the seasoned pork in the slow cooker.
- Cook on low for about 8 hours until the meat is fork-tender.
- Shred the pork using two forks, mixing some cooking liquid back in for moisture.
- Warm tortillas and fill each with shredded pork, garnishing with cilantro and lime juice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tacos (230g)
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: For enhanced flavor, sear the pork before adding it to the slow cooker. Feel free to substitute pork with chicken or beef; adjust cooking times accordingly based on the meat used. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.