Ultimate Slow-Cooked Mexican Carnitas with Sweet Coca-Cola Twist
Experience the rich flavors of Mexico with this tantalizing slow-cooker carnitas recipe, featuring a secret ingredient that adds a hint of sweetness. Perfectly tender pork is infused with savory spices and slow-cooked for hours until it falls apart effortlessly, making it an indulgent centerpiece for taco night or any festive gathering. Serve it warm in soft tortillas and top it with refreshing pico de gallo, creamy sour cream, and spicy jalapenos for a delightful explosion of flavor that will transport your taste buds straight to the heart of Mexico. Ideal for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week, this carnitas will become your go-to comfort food.
N/A
Servings
875
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Pork Loin
2 lbs (cut into 2-inch cubes)
Butter
1/2 cup (melted)
Vegetable Oil
2 tablespoons (none)
Cinnamon Stick
1 (broken in half)
Garlic Cloves
5-6 (peeled with tips chopped off)
Bay Leaves
3-4 (broken in half)
Oregano
1 teaspoon (dried)
Kosher Salt
1 teaspoon (none)
Black Pepper
1 teaspoon (ground)
Cumin
2 teaspoons (ground)
Red Pepper Flakes
1 teaspoon (adjust to taste)
Whole Milk
1/3 cup (none)
Coca-Cola Classic
1 (20 ounce) bottle (none)
Instructions
1
Cut the pork loin into 2-inch cubes and place them at the bottom of the slow cooker.
2
Pour the melted butter evenly over the meat, followed by the vegetable oil to help season the pork.
3
Break the cinnamon stick in half and nestle it alongside the meat for enhanced flavor.
4
Peel the garlic cloves, trimming the tips, and add them to the slow cooker with the broken bay leaves, distributing them around the pork chunks.
5
Gently sprinkle oregano, kosher salt, black pepper, cumin, and red pepper flakes (adjust to your spice preference) over the meat, ensuring even coverage.
6
Carefully pour the whole milk into the slow cooker, avoiding washing away the spices.
7
Next, pour the Coca-Cola over the meat until just submerged, allowing the carbonation to infuse the flavors. Take care to maintain the spice layer near the surface.
8
Set the slow cooker to 'Low' and cook for 6 hours, stirring gently every couple of hours to ensure even cooking.
9
After 6 hours, use a slotted spoon to remove the pork, placing it in a large bowl. Use two forks to shred the meat thoroughly, incorporating spoonfuls of the cooking liquid to keep it moist and flavorful.
10
Serve the carnitas in warm tortillas, and garnish with pico de gallo, sour cream, and fresh jalapenos for an unbeatable meal!
Nutrition Information
57.5g
Fat
26.25g
Carbs
75g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main ingredient in this Mexican Carnitas recipe?
The main ingredient is 2 lbs of pork loin, cut into 2-inch cubes.
What is the secret ingredient that adds sweetness to these carnitas?
The secret ingredient is a 20-ounce bottle of Coca-Cola Classic.
How long should I cook the pork in the slow cooker?
The pork should be cooked on the 'Low' setting for 6 hours.
Do I need to stir the carnitas while they cook?
Yes, it is recommended to stir the meat gently every couple of hours to ensure even cooking.
How should I prepare the garlic for this recipe?
You should use 5-6 garlic cloves, peeled with the tips chopped off.
What type of milk is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of whole milk.
How do I shred the pork after cooking?
Use two forks to shred the meat thoroughly in a large bowl, incorporating spoonfuls of the cooking liquid to keep it moist.
What spices are used to season the carnitas?
The seasoning includes oregano, kosher salt, black pepper, cumin, and red pepper flakes.
How many bay leaves are required?
You will need 3-4 bay leaves, broken in half before adding to the slow cooker.
What is the purpose of adding vegetable oil and butter?
The melted butter and vegetable oil are poured over the meat to help season and enrich the pork.
Can I adjust the spiciness of this dish?
Yes, you can adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to suit your spice preference.
What are the suggested toppings for serving?
The suggested toppings are pico de gallo, sour cream, and fresh jalapenos.
Is a cinnamon stick used in this recipe?
Yes, one cinnamon stick broken in half is nestled alongside the meat for enhanced flavor.
How many calories are in a serving of these carnitas?
Each serving contains approximately 875 calories.
What is the protein content of this recipe?
The recipe provides 75g of protein per serving.
How much fat is in this dish?
There are 57.5g of fat per serving.
What is the total carbohydrate count?
The total carbohydrates are 26.25g per serving.
How should I serve the carnitas?
They are best served warm in soft tortillas.
What total number of ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 13 total ingredients in this recipe.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prepping?
Yes, it is ideal for feeding a crowd or for meal prepping throughout the week.
Should I use a high or low setting on the slow cooker?
The recipe specifically recommends the 'Low' setting.
How do I add the milk and Coca-Cola to the slow cooker?
Pour them carefully into the slow cooker to avoid washing away the spice layer on the surface of the meat.
What kind of salt is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of kosher salt.
Do I need to use a specific type of Coca-Cola?
The recipe specifies Coca-Cola Classic for the intended flavor profile.
How much cumin is used?
The recipe requires 2 teaspoons of ground cumin.
Can I use pork shoulder instead of pork loin?
While the recipe calls for pork loin, carnitas are traditionally made with pork shoulder; however, this specific recipe uses loin for its structure.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include carnitas, slow cooker, mexican cuisine, pork, coca-cola, and comfort food.
Is there any sugar added beyond the soda?
No additional sugar is added; the sweetness comes from the Coca-Cola.
Are the cinnamon and bay leaves eaten?
No, these are used for infusion and should be discarded before serving.
What is the main flavor profile of this dish?
It is a savory Mexican dish with a subtle hint of sweetness and aromatic spices.