Crockpot Delish Carnitas

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Crockpot Delish Carnitas
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Oh, hey there! Meet my cozy little treasure of a recipe — Crockpot Delish Carnitas. It’s the kind of meal that jazzes up a dull Tuesday with minimal effort. Picture this: tender, flavorful pork that magically happens while you’re busy with… you know, life. This recipe has snuck into our menu habit so hard, it practically demands a seat at the dinner table. Why put this beauty to the test? Because it gets the whole family doing happy dances around the kitchen, and who doesn’t love a good kitchen dance-off?

You know you’ve found a keeper when dinner gets cheers and fist bumps from the fam, right? My husband and our little munchkins (who usually think anything new is “weird”) have fully embraced these carnitas as their ultimate pick-me-up. I swear, every time the crockpot starts radiating that delicious scent, it’s like a family magnet, drawing everyone and their questions into the kitchen. True story: Once, I came home to find my husband eating leftovers right out of the fridge — spoon in one hand, carnitas in the other. It’s real life, folks.

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Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Delish Carnitas

– You literally get to dump stuff into a pot and forget about it — the epitome of lazy chef goals.
– Makes you look like a culinary genius when you’re actually just trying to find the kid’s other shoe.
– It’ll make your house smell like you hired someone named Juan to cook you dinner.
– Picky eaters? They don’t stand a chance.

How to Make It

Alright, lean people, here’s the scoop. First off, you grab your pork shoulder, whisper sweet nothings, and plop it into the crockpot. From there, squeeze in some lime juice like you’re making a cocktail at a tiki bar. Then, go wild tossing in the rest. Maybe you get tripped up by the onions—I mean, to cry or not to cry? The choice is yours. Set that magical gadget on low, and voila, your dinner is on cruise control for the next 8 hours. Feel free to binge-watch or battle life as needed. When it’s time, shred the pork like you’re Samson facing off with a lion.

Ingredient Notes

– Pork Shoulder: This is your main squeeze. Get it right, and it’s melt-in-your-mouth gold. Get it wrong…well, we’ve all been there.
– Lime: DON’T skip this — it’s like the Beyoncé of the group. Tangy, zesty perfection.
– Onion: One time, I forgot it. Game-changer, and not in the good way. It basically gives your dish the side-eye you deserve.

Recipe Steps:

1. Place pork shoulder in crockpot with lime juice.
2. Add the rest of your ingredients.
3. Set cooker to low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
4. Shred pork when done.

What to Serve It With

– Tortillas, if you’re feeling like tacos.
– Rice for those comfy bowl vibes.
– A simple salad for balance (or to justify the second helping).

Tips & Mistakes

Let’s just say, if you’re pressed for time and jam that sucker to high heat, keep an eye on it. Low and slow is the North Face of this recipe — reliable and warm.

Storage Tips

If you’ve got leftovers (unlikely), slap those in a big ol’ container. They’ll hang tight for a few days in the fridge. Cold carnitas are a weirdly delicious breakfast option over scrambled eggs. No judgment here.

Variations and Substitutions

Don’t have lime? Lemon will do in a pinch, though it’s not quite the same VIP lime experience. If there’s an apocalypse, you can swap soy sauce for tamari — your taste buds won’t cry too much. And we all have those moments where running out of an ingredient means doing some quick magic tricks; trust your gut!

Frequently Asked Questions

I can’t have gluten… will this still work?
Totally. Just switch the soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos. I’ve done it more times than I can count. Still tastes bomb.

Do I have to peel the pineapple first? Asking for a friend.
Yeah… definitely peel it. Unless you’re into chewing bark. It’s not fun, trust me.

Can I use canned pineapple instead of fresh?
Been there, done that. Just drain it like your life depends on it. Still good, just not *as* wow.

How sweet is this? Can I tone it down a bit?
You totally can. Cut the sugar a little or swap in honey or maple syrup. I’ve done both when I ran out of brown sugar.

What if I skip the sesame oil?
Honestly? It’s fine. You’ll lose that toasted vibe, but it’s not a dealbreaker. Still delicious.

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Crockpot Delish Carnitas

Crockpot Delish Carnitas

Slow-cooked pork shoulder tenderized with spices and citrus, perfect for tacos or burritos.
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients
 

Main Ingredients

  • 3.5 lb pork shoulder
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1.5 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup orange juice freshly squeezed
  • 0.5 cup lime juice
  • 4 cloves garlic minced

Instructions

Preparation Steps

  • Trim excess fat from the pork shoulder and cut into large chunks.
  • Mix cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
  • Rub the spice mixture all over the pork chunks.
  • Place the pork in the crockpot and add minced garlic, orange juice, and lime juice.
  • Cook on low for 8 hours or until pork is tender and easily shreds.
  • Remove pork from cooker, shred with two forks, and return to the juices before serving.

Notes

Serve with warm tortillas, fresh cilantro, diced onions, and your favorite salsa.
💬

Featured Comments

“Super easy and will make again! My family asked for seconds. Saving this one.”
★★★★★ 4 weeks ago Molly
“This rich recipe was absolutely loved — the crowd-pleaser really stands out. Thanks!”
★★★★★ 4 weeks ago Taylor
“New favorite here — so flavorful. warming was spot on.”
★★★★☆ 3 weeks ago Ava
“This warming recipe was family favorite — the rich really stands out. Thanks!”
★★★★★ 4 weeks ago Molly
“Super easy and turned out amazing! My family asked for seconds. Saving this one.”
★★★★★ 10 days ago Noah
“Impressed! Clear steps and turned out amazing results. Perfect for busy nights.”
★★★★☆ 4 weeks ago Sam

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