Slow Cooker Carnitas

15 minutes Prep Time
6 minutes Cook Time
6 Servings

Carnitas are small or shredded pieces of crisp roast pork, eaten as a snack, used as a filling for burritos, tacos or in other Mexican dishes.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 pound boneless pork shoulder, cut into 3 inch cubes
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 can Redpack® 28 oz Diced Tomatoes, drained
  • 1 tablespoon chipotle powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Mexican oregano
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lime juice
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 6 corn tortillas
  • 2 avocados, pitted and sliced
  • Chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 (4 ounce) can green chilies

Instructions

Step one

Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the pork and sear on each side until browned (about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer pork to the slow cooker.

Step two

Add onion, garlic, brown sugar, diced tomatoes, chipotle powder, Mexican oregano, cumin, chili powder, salt, black pepper, orange juice, lime juice and chicken stock. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours until pork is completely tender and shreds easy with a fork.

Step three

Once the pork is cooked, preheat broiler and prepare two baking sheets with aluminum foil. Remove meat from slow cooker and use a fork to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces. Place on prepared baking sheets; spreading the pork in an even layer. Reserve juices for later.

Step four

Place one sheet under the broiler for about 5 minutes or until edges of pork begin browning and crisping up. Remove sheet from oven and ladle about ½ cup juice evenly over the pork. Give it a good toss and broil for an additional 5 minutes to get the meat more crispy. Ladle an additional ¼ cup broth over the crispy pork.

Step five

Repeat with second sheet of pork.

Step six

Serve immediately in a warmed corn tortilla along with avocado, cilantro and salsa.

Step seven

Option:  Recipe great served with beans of your choice.

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