The only crockpot pork carnitas recipe you need! Just 6 ingredients create a flavorful and crowd pleasing meal. Serve with tacos, over roasted potatoes, or in a salad! However you enjoy it, try this recipe because it never dissapoints!
Crockpot pork carnitas
I can’t even count the number of times I’ve made this carnitas recipe. You just can’t beat how simple it comes together or, how dang delicious it is! Seriously, mouth watering and a crowd pleaser. I’ve served it as the main dish for a birthday party for about 30 people, and it was a total hit!
I trust the result, each and every time. The meat is so tender, juicy and leaves you wondering what that special thing is that you’re tasting (hint hint, it’s cinnamon!).
The flavors work so well that I took them and turned them into beef carnitas, too! We just can’t get enough of this amazing pork version, and the beef too.
Here’s what you need for crockpot carnitas
How to make this easy recipe
- Prep your pork by cutting it into 4-6 equal pieces, slightly smaller than the size than a baseball. Heat a large heavy bottom pan to medium-high heat. Sprinkle sea salt and pepper on all sides of the pork pieces, and place in the hot pot to sear. Sear for 3-4 minutes on one side, then flip and sear on the other. Place in the crockpot when both sides are seared. If not all of the pork pieces easily fit in your pan, you can do this step in batches. (Rushed on time? You can totally skip these steps and simply add everything into the crockpot and follow from step 4!)
- When the pork is done, add the onion to the hot pot and saute for 1-2 minutes, just to get some color on the onions. Add the onions into the crockpot.
- Add ½ cup of water, along with the chili powder and cinnamon.
- Cook on low for 8 hours. The pork carnitas will easily shred and are ready to eat! Serve it up in tacos, cilantro lime brown rice, or with crispy potato bites and all your favorite taco toppings!
Different ways to serve your carnitas
My favorite way to serve these is over a potato base, like crispy potato bites. Baking up a batch of waffle fries and sweet potato waffle fries are another great potato base.
Of course you can turn them into taco with all the tasty taco toppings! Think: guacamole, avocado slices, pico de gallo, salsa, hot sauce, green onion, cilantro, diced tomatoes, slaw, shredded sharp cheddar… any of your go to taco toppings!
Another fun way to enjoy the carnitas is in a taco salad. Pair crisp chopped lettuce, tomato and carnitas together, and add in black beans, diced avocado and a cilantro lime ranch dressing. Delicious!
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Crockpot Pork Carnitas
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prep your pork by cutting it into 4-6 equal pieces, slightly smaller than the size than a baseball. Heat a large heavy bottom pan to medium-high heat. Sprinkle sea salt and pepper on all sides of the pork pieces, and place in the hot pot to sear. Sear for 3-4 minutes on one side, then flip and sear on the other. Place in the crockpot when both sides are seared. If not all of the pork pieces easily fit in your pan, you can do this step in batches. (Rushed on time? You can totally skip these steps and simply add everything into the crockpot and follow from step 4!)
- When the pork is done, add the onion to the hot pot and saute for 1-2 minutes, just to get some color on the onions. Add the onions into the crockpot.
- Add ½ cup of water, along with the chili powder and cinnamon.
- Cook on low for 8 hours. The pork carnitas will easily shred and are ready to eat! Serve it up in tacos, or with crispy potato bites and all your favorite taco toppings!
Nutrition
If you try this recipe, I’d love it if you left a star rating and comment below letting me know how it turned out!
XO
Heather
*Originally published in December 2017. Updated August 2021.*
3 comments
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