These delicious Slow Cooker Pork Loin Carnitas are tender, juicy and flavorful making a great protein for tacos, rice bowls or tacos salads. Using a pork loin makes these carnitas healthier and less greasy than your average carnitas without sacrificing on flavor.
Crafting authentic Mexican flavors has never been easier with this recipe for slow cooker pork loin carnitas. Carnitas, meaning "little meats" in Spanish, is a beloved Mexican dish featuring tender, braised pork typically served in tacos. While traditional recipes call for fattier cuts like pork butt or shoulder, I've streamlined this version by opting for a leaner pork loin without compromising on taste. Simply toss the ingredients into your slow cooker, and let it work its magic effortlessly throughout the day, filling your home with irresistible aromas. It's the perfect easy meal solution that cooks hands-free, allowing you to enjoy delicious carnitas without the fuss.
A few other easy Mexican-inspired recipes that are worth trying are Chicken Fajita Tray Bake and Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup.
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Ingredients
Here's what you need to make this Pork Loin Carnitas recipe:
- boneless pork loin
- salt
- pepper
- brown sugar
- liquid smoke
- smoked paprika
- cumin
- oregano
- garlic powder
- chicken broth
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Here's how to make shredded Pork Loin Carnitas:
1. Trim any extra fat off the pork loin, then cut it against the grain into 3 smaller pieces.
2. In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Rub the spice mixture evenly over all of the pork.
3. Add the chicken broth and liquid smoke to a greased slow cooker giving it a stir. Then, add spice-coated pork to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours until the meat is tender and shreds easily.
4. Once the pork has cooked, use a slotted spoon to remove it from the slow cooker and place it on a plate. Use 2 forks to shred the meat. Then, return the shredded meat to the slow cooker and give everything a stir so the cooking juice flavors the meat. Allow the shredded meat to sit on low in the juices for 30 minutes before serving.
Hint: Serve these Carnitas in hard or soft taco shells, on a salad or even in a bowl with rice or cauliflower rice. Don't forget your favorite toppings such as Mexican Pickled Onions, Guacamole, Jalapeno Salsa, chopped onion, sliced jalapenos, chopped cilantro, sour cream or cheese.
Substitutions
Want to substitute an ingredient in Pork Loin Tacos? Here's how:
- Pork loin - use 2 pork tenderloins for lean pork tenderloin carnitas, or a pork butt or shoulder in place of the pork loin for a richer pulled pork. Or, use 3 lbs chicken breasts or thighs in place of the pork and cook as directed in the recipe.
- Spices - use 2 packets of taco seasoning in place of the sugar, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, cumin and oregano.
Variations
Try one of these variations of Crock Pot Pork Loin Carnitas:
- Spicy - add ½ teaspoon cayenne into the spice rub or 6 tablespoons of hot sauce into the cooking liquid for spicy carnitas.
- Beer - use a beer in place of the chicken broth for a different twist.
- Deluxe - add 4 cloves minced garlic and the zest and juice of both an orange and lime to the cooking liquid.
Also, try Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos or Slow Cooker Pulled Beef Tacos.
Equipment
This equipment comes in handy when making Pork Slow Cooker Carnitas:
Storage
Once the Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas meat has cooled, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. (Check out this article for more details on how to properly freeze and thaw cooked meat.)
Top tip
For extra flavor and texture, transfer the cooked and shredded Pork Loin Carnitas to a baking sheet, then drizzle with a ladle of the cooking liquid and broil for about 5 minutes, until the edges are crisp and browned.
FAQ
Yes, pork loin is great for carnitas! Pork loin is lean and tender, producing carnitas that will have a great texture and not be very fatty.
Pork butt or shoulder are most often used for carnitas but I prefer pork loin to those cuts as it's much leaner and produces a less-greasy final product. Pork loin is definitely the best cut for healthier carnitas!
Related
Looking for other easy pork recipes? Try these:
Pairing
Pair Pork Loin Carnitas with one of these Mexican dishes for a balanced meal the whole family will love:
Recipe
Slow Cooker Pork Loin Carnitas
Equipment
- 1 knife
Ingredients
- 5 lb pork loin
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ½ tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 Tablespoons liquid smoke
- desired shells or tortillas and toppings for serving
Instructions
- Trim any extra fat off the pork loin, then cut it against the grain into 3 smaller pieces.
- In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, oregano, pepper and garlic powder. Rub the spice mixture evenly over all of the pork.
- Add the chicken broth and liquid smoke to a greased slow cooker giving it a stir. Add spice-coated pork to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours until the meat is tender and shreds easily.
- Once the pork has cooked, use a slotted spoon to remove it from the slow cooker and place it on a plate. Use 2 forks to shred the meat.
- Return the shredded meat to the slow cooker and give everything a stir so the cooking juices flavor the meat. Allow the shredded meat to sit on low in the juices for 30 minutes before serving.
- Serve the pork in desired shells or tortilla with toppings of your choice.
Notes
Nutrition
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
Shannon
Such a crowd-pleaser!