Easy Carnitas Pulled Pork

Transform your weeknight dinners with this Easy Carnitas Pulled Pork recipe—juicy, flavorful, and irresistibly crispy! Made with tender, slow-cooked pork shoulder infused with the zesty brightness of orange and lime juice, aromatic garlic, and a savory blend of spices, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality carnitas from the comfort of your kitchen. With just 15 minutes of prep and the help of a slow cooker, you’ll have melt-in-your-mouth shredded pork, perfectly crisped in a skillet for authentic texture. Served in tacos, burritos, or atop a bowl of rice, these carnitas are perfect to customize with fresh toppings like cilantro, onion, or avocado. Ideal for family meals or meal prep, this effortlessly delicious recipe is a must-try for anyone seeking bold, Mexican-inspired flavors!

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:240 mins

Total Time:255 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 4 pounds pork shoulder (boneless)
• 1 orange (juiced)
• 1 lime (juiced)
• 4 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 medium onion (diced)
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Directions

Step 1

Trim any excess fat from the pork shoulder and cut it into 4 large chunks for even cooking.

Step 2

In a slow cooker, combine the pork chunks, orange juice, lime juice, minced garlic, diced onion, chicken broth, cumin, oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3

Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours, until the pork is tender and easily falls apart when shredded with a fork.

Step 4

Once the pork is fully cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Transfer the shredded pork to a large bowl.

Step 5

Strain the liquid from the slow cooker to remove solids, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid to use later.

Step 6

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil.

Step 7

Working in batches, add a portion of the shredded pork to the skillet, spreading it out in an even layer. Allow the pork to crisp up for 2-3 minutes without stirring, then flip and crisp the other side. Repeat for all the pork.

Step 8

Once crispy, pour a small amount of the reserved cooking liquid over the pork in the skillet to keep it moist and flavorful.

Step 9

Serve the carnitas warm in tacos, burritos, or over rice, and garnish with your favorite toppings like cilantro, diced onion, salsa, or avocado.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2555.8 grams (2555.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4998

Total Fat 390.70g	501%
Saturated Fat 130.90g	655%
Polyunsaturated Fat 16.80g
Cholesterol 1270mg	423%
Sodium 6382mg	277%
Total Carbohydrate 52.80g	19%
Dietary Fiber 5.40g	19%
Total Sugars 28.60g
Protein 335.50g	671%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 332mg	26%
Iron 25mg	138%
Potassium 6045mg	129%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 69.4%

Protein: 26.5%

Carbs: 4.2%