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Beef, Pork & LambMexican

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

Citrus and cumin pork shoulder cooked low until tender, then shredded and crisped in a hot skillet for tacos.

Prep
20 min
Cook
8 hr 30 min
Total
8 hr 50 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cuisine
Mexican
Serves
8

No major allergens identified

Diet: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Nut-free, Egg-free
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Ingredients

8 servings

Serves 8

For the pork

To serve

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Steps

  1. Stir together the salt, cumin and oregano and rub the mixture all over the pork.

  2. Scatter the onion and garlic in a 6-quart slow cooker and add the pork. Pour the orange and lime juice over the top and tuck the squeezed orange halves in between the pieces.

  3. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 9 hours or HIGH for 5 to 6 hours, until the pork falls apart when pressed with a fork. It will be far past the safe 145°F; shreddable pork sits around 195°F to 205°F.

  4. Lift the pork onto a cutting board and discard the orange halves. Skim the fat from the cooking liquid, saving 2 tablespoons of fat and 1 cup of liquid. Shred the pork with two forks, discarding any large pieces of fat.

  5. Heat 1 tablespoon of the saved fat in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Spread half the pork in an even layer and cook without stirring until the bottom is browned and crisp, 4 to 5 minutes. Drizzle with 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid, toss and cook 1 minute more. Repeat with the rest.

  6. Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet for about 30 seconds per side. Fill with the pork and top with red onion, cilantro and salsa.

Ingredients

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories
550
Protein
43 g
Fat
30 g
Carbohydrates
26 g
Fiber
4 g
Sodium
630 mg

Estimated from the ingredient amounts using USDA FoodData Central. Not included: optional ingredients, anything without an amount (to taste, for serving) and salt for cooking water.

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