Carnitas Recipe (Mexican Pulled Pork) 🌮🐖

This Carnitas recipe makes the juiciest, most flavorful Mexican pulled pork with crispy, golden edges. Perfect for tacos, burritos, or bowls, this slow-cooked dish is packed with citrusy, savory flavors that melt in your mouth!

Ingredients

For the Carnitas:

✔️ 4 lb boneless pork roast (pork butt or pork shoulder)
✔️ 3 tsp fine sea salt (or 2 1/2 tsp table salt)
✔️ 1 tsp ground black pepper
✔️ 1 tsp dried oregano
✔️ 1 large yellow onion, diced
✔️ 5 garlic cloves
✔️ 4 Tbsp lime juice (from 2 limes)
✔️ 1/2 cup orange juice (from 2 oranges)
✔️ 1 cup chicken broth
✔️ 2 bay leaves (optional)

Instructions

1. Season the Pork

Pat the pork dry with a paper towel.
In a small bowl, mix salt, pepper, and oregano and rub it all over the pork.

2. Assemble the Slow Cooker

Add diced onion, whole garlic cloves, chicken broth, lime juice, orange juice, and bay leaves into the slow cooker.
Place the seasoned pork roast on top.

3. Slow Cook the Pork

Cook on HIGH for 5 hours or LOW for 7-9 hours, until the meat is fall-apart tender.

4. Shred the Pork

Transfer the cooked pork to a rimmed baking sheet.
Shred using two forks, then drizzle 1/2 cup of the cooking juices over the meat for extra flavor.

5. Crisp the Carnitas

Set the oven to broil.
Broil shredded pork for 5-7 minutes, stirring halfway, until the edges are crispy and golden brown.

6. Serve and Enjoy!

Use carnitas in tacos, burritos, tostadas, or rice bowls.
Garnish with fresh cilantro, onions, and lime wedges.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✅ Easy to make – Just season, slow-cook, and crisp!
✅ Juicy & flavorful – Citrus juices add authentic Mexican flavors.
✅ Perfect for meal prep – Leftovers taste even better the next day!

🔥 Now it’s time to dig in! What will you serve your carnitas with? Let me know! 🌮😊