Easy Pork Carnitas
About this Recipe
Pork Carnitas features perfectly seasoned pork that is slow cooked until tender. The meat is so tender and juicy, and you have the option to crispy it up in under the broiler for deliciously crisp edges. Carnitas can be made in a slow cooker, instant pot or on your stovetop so I have included instructions for all three ways!
Ingredients
For the For Serving:
5m
Prep
1h
Cook
8
Servings
About this Recipe
Pork Carnitas features perfectly seasoned pork that is slow cooked until tender. The meat is so tender and juicy, and you have the option to crispy it up in under the broiler for deliciously crisp edges. Carnitas can be made in a slow cooker, instant pot or on your stovetop so I have included instructions for all three ways!
Ingredients
For the For Serving:
Preparation
Step 1
To cook on the Stove:
1. Season pork chunks with salt, chili powder and pepper.
2. Heat a large dutch oven over medium high heat. Sear the pork on all sides. If needed, sear the pork in batches if your dutch oven is not large enough.
3. Reduce the heat low and pour in the beer, orange juice and lime (there should be just enough liquid to cover the sides of the meat). Add the bay leaf, garlic, cumin and oregano and bring to a boil and then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 1 ½ hours (be sure the flame is low and you are simmering).
4. After 1 ½ hours, the pork should be falling apart.
5. Remove the lid and continue cooking another 20 minutes so the liquid reduces to about half.
6. Transfer the pork to a cutting board and shred with two forks. Place the pork back in the pot and toss to coat in the sauce.
Optional: To get deliciously crispy burnt ends on your carnitas, spread them out in a single layer on a foil-covered sheet pan. Then put under the broiler for 5 minutes until the ends get nice and crispy.
Step 2
To Cook in Slow Cooker:
1. Add all the ingredients to your crockpot. Cook on “low” setting for 4-6 hours.
2. Shred the pork with two forks. Place the pork back in the pot and toss to coat in the sauce.
Optional: To get deliciously crispy burnt ends on your carnitas, spread them out in a single layer on a foil-covered sheet pan. Then put under the broiler for 5 minutes until the ends get nice and crispy.
Step 3
To Cook in Instant Pot:
1. Add all the ingredients to instant pot. Pressure cook 60 minutes. Natural release.
2. Shred the pork with two forks. Place the pork back in the pot and toss to coat in the sauce.
Optional: To get deliciously crispy burnt ends on your carnitas, spread them out in a single layer on a foil-covered sheet pan. Then put under the broiler for 5 minutes until the ends get nice and crispy.