Slow Cooker Carnitas

Ingredients

• 4 lb Boneless Pork Butt (or pork shoulder, cut into 6 equal pieces (1.8 kg))
• 2 teaspoons Salt (for seasoning)
• 1 teaspoon Black Pepper (freshly ground, for seasoning)
• 1 tablespoon Dried Oregano (Mexican oregano preferred)
• 1 tablespoon Ground Cumin
• 8 cloves Garlic (crushed)
• 1 medium Yellow Onion (quartered)
• 3 Bay Leaves
• 1 Lime (juiced)
• 1 large Orange (juiced, save spent halves for cooking)
• Tortillas (corn or flour, for serving)
• Cooked Rice (for serving)
• 1 can Black Beans (drained and rinsed, optional)
• Salsa (your favorite kind, for serving)
• Guacamole (homemade or store-bought, for serving)
• Sour Cream (for serving)
• Fresh Cilantro (chopped, for serving)
• 1 cup Shredded Cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend (100 g))

Instructions

1. Cut the pork butt (or shoulder) into 6 equal pieces. This helps with even cooking and flavor absorption.
2. Place the pork pieces into the slow cooker.
3. In a separate small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, dried oregano, and ground cumin.
4. Sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over the pork pieces in the slow cooker.
5. Add the crushed garlic, quartered onion, and bay leaves to the slow cooker.
6. Juice the lime and the orange. Pour both juices over the pork.
7. Add the spent orange halves to the slow cooker for extra citrus flavor.
8. Mix all ingredients in the slow cooker to ensure the pork is well-coated with the spices and citrus juices.
9. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or until the pork is very tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.
10. Remove the pork from the slow cooker using a slotted spoon or tongs and transfer it to a foil-lined baking sheet. Reserve 1 cup (235 ml) of the liquid from the slow cooker. Discard the bay leaves and orange halves.
11. Using two forks, shred the pork, discarding any large pieces of fat or gristle.
12. Spread the shredded pork in a single layer on the baking sheet.
13. Pour about 1 cup (235 ml) of the reserved cooking liquid over the shredded pork. This helps keep the pork moist during broiling.
14. Preheat your broiler to high. Place the baking sheet with the shredded pork under the broiler for 3-5 minutes, or until the meat is browned and crisped along the edges. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
15. Serve the slow cooker carnitas immediately in tacos, burritos, salads, or on top of rice or nachos.
16. Garnish with your favorite toppings, such as salsa, guacamole, sour cream, fresh cilantro, and shredded cheese.
17. Enjoy!