It feels like we just wrapped up the holidays, and here we are halfway through January already! That means football season is almost over, but not before the Big Game in early February, which is just a few weeks away! I looooooove me some good eats while watching football from the couch :) Check out some of my favorite game day recipes here, including my Buffalo Chicken Dip and Ham & Swiss Sliders – both are must haves in my book! But this year I’ve got a brand new recipe that you’ve GOT to try: Slow Cooker Carnitas!
Why do you need this recipe in your life? For starters, it couldn’t be easier – throw everything in a slow cooker and leave the hard part to the appliance! Second, it’s beyond dee-licious! When I made these for the first time, it got rave reviews and leftovers were even tastier! And lastly you can serve these however you like – with tortillas as tacos, with rice as a bowl, or on bread as sliders….the world is your oyster!
Ingredients
How to make it
Combine all the spices (cumin, chili powder, oregano, kosher salt, black pepper) in a small bowl. Rub the pork on all sides with the spice mixture. Set aside.
Into the slow cooker add the rest of the ingredients: orange juice, lime juice, beef broth, liquid smoke, garlic cloves, and bay leaves.
Put the seasoned pork on top, then cover and cook (4 ½ – 5 hours on high or 8 hours on low).
When time is up, take the pork out of the slow cooker and put onto a large plate or baking sheet. Shred the meat with two forks, then put all the meat back into the slow cooker with the juices. The meat should easily fall apart; if not, it’s not done cooking!
Cover and keep warm until you’re ready to serve. Transfer the meat (drained of the juices) to a bowl when ready to serve.
Serve with your favorite toppings and watch it disappear!
- 4-5 pounds pork shoulder, trimmed of excess fat
- 1 Tablespoon cumin
- 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 large orange, juiced
- 1 lime, juiced
- ½ cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 8 cloves garlic, peeled and left whole
- 2 bay leaves
- Tortillas
- Cilantro lime rice
- Avocado
- Red Onion
- Cilantro
- Salsa
- Combine all the spices (cumin, chili powder, oregano, kosher salt, black pepper) in a small bowl. Rub the pork on all sides with the spice mixture. Set aside.
- Into the slow cooker add the rest of the ingredients: orange juice, lime juice, beef broth, liquid smoke, garlic cloves, and bay leaves. Put the seasoned pork on top, then cover and cook (4 ½ - 5 hours on high or 8 hours on low).
- When time is up, take the pork out of the slow cooker and put onto a large plate or baking sheet. Shred the meat with two forks, then put all the meat back into the slow cooker with the juices. The meat should easily fall apart; if not, it’s not done cooking!
- Cover and keep warm until you’re ready to serve. Transfer the meat (drained of the juices) to a bowl when ready to serve.
- Serve with your favorite toppings (salsa, avocado, cilantro, red onion) and tortillas or rice!