Slow-Cooked Mexican Pork Carnitas
Experience the rich and savory flavors of authentic Mexican Carnitas with this simple slow-cooking recipe. Utilizing a crock pot allows the pork to become incredibly tender and infused with aromatic spices, making it the perfect filling for tacos, burritos, or nachos. Serve with your favorite accompaniments like warm flour or corn tortillas, zesty salsa, creamy refried beans, and shredded cheese for a truly satisfying meal. Ideal for gatherings or meal prep, this dish will leave your taste buds dancing with delight!
6
Servings
400
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Pork Shoulder or Pork Butt
3 lbs (cut into large chunks)
Chicken Broth
4 cups (hot)
Garlic Powder
2 tablespoons (none)
Onion Powder
2 tablespoons (none)
Cumin
2 tablespoons (none)
Chili Powder
1 tablespoon (medium hot)
Ground Coriander
2 teaspoons (none)
Ground Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Lime Juice
1 tablespoon (freshly squeezed)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
Instructions
1
In a large crock pot, pour in the hot chicken broth.
2
Add garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, ground coriander, ground black pepper, lime juice, and salt to the broth. Stir well to combine all the seasonings fully into the liquid.
3
Carefully place the pork shoulder or pork butt chunks into the crock pot, ensuring they are submerged in the broth and spices.
4
Cover the crock pot with a lid and cook on the 'High' setting for 4 to 6 hours, or on the 'Low' setting for 6 to 8 hours, until the pork is fork-tender and easy to shred.
5
Once cooked, remove the pork from the crock pot and allow it to cool slightly. Next, shred the meat using two forks, mixing it back into the thickened cooking sauce for maximum flavor.
6
Serve immediately with warm tortillas and your choice of toppings.
Nutrition Information
25g
Fat
2.67g
Carbs
32g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of meat is used for Slow-Cooked Mexican Pork Carnitas?
This recipe uses 3 lbs of pork shoulder or pork butt cut into large chunks.
How much chicken broth is required for this recipe?
You will need 4 cups of hot chicken broth.
What seasonings are used in the broth?
The broth is seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, ground coriander, black pepper, and salt.
How much garlic powder should I add?
Add 2 tablespoons of garlic powder to the crock pot.
What is the recommended amount of onion powder?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of onion powder.
How much cumin is needed for the seasoning?
Use 2 tablespoons of cumin to give the carnitas its authentic flavor.
What type of chili powder is used?
The recipe specifies 1 tablespoon of medium hot chili powder.
How much ground coriander is added?
You should include 2 teaspoons of ground coriander.
Is lime juice included in the ingredients?
Yes, the recipe uses 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lime juice.
How much salt should be used?
The recipe suggests 1/4 teaspoon of salt, or you can add it to taste.
How long does the pork cook on the High setting?
On the High setting, the pork should cook for 4 to 6 hours.
How long should I cook the pork on the Low setting?
On the Low setting, the cooking time is between 6 to 8 hours.
How do I know when the carnitas are ready?
The meat is ready when it becomes fork-tender and is easy to shred.
What is the best way to shred the cooked pork?
Allow the meat to cool slightly, then use two forks to shred it into smaller pieces.
Should I mix the meat back into the liquid?
Yes, mixing the shredded meat back into the thickened cooking sauce provides maximum flavor.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 6 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
There are approximately 400 calories in each serving.
How much fat is in one serving?
Each serving contains 25g of fat.
What are the carbohydrates per serving?
A single serving has 2.67g of carbohydrates.
What is the protein content per serving?
There are 32g of protein in each serving of carnitas.
What can I serve with these pork carnitas?
They are perfect for tacos, burritos, or nachos, and can be served with salsa, refried beans, and cheese.
What kind of tortillas are recommended?
Serve with warm flour or corn tortillas.
Is this recipe good for gatherings?
Yes, it is ideal for gatherings or meal prep due to its simplicity and flavor.
Should the chicken broth be hot or cold when added?
The recipe recommends pouring in hot chicken broth at the start.
How should the pork chunks be placed in the crock pot?
Carefully place the chunks into the pot and ensure they are submerged in the seasoned broth.
Is ground black pepper included?
Yes, the recipe includes 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper.
What kind of slow cooker is used?
The recipe is designed for a large crock pot or slow cooker.
Can I use freshly squeezed lime juice?
Yes, the recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lime juice.
How many total ingredients are listed?
There are 10 main ingredients listed for this dish.
What is the description of the final dish?
The final dish is a rich, savory, and aromatic authentic Mexican pork carnitas.