Easy Carnitas (Mexican Slow Cooker Pulled Pork) + Video

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This easy carnitas recipe is ready in about 4 hours. Combine tender slow cooker pork sirloin tip roast with your favorite toppings for the most incredible pulled pork tacos! Cooking this pork carnitas recipe in the slow cooker creates delicious fall-apart tender meat! 

titled (shown in flour tortillas) easy carnitas recipe


 

When you love Mexican food, there are so many delicious options for easy dinners that it can be tough to pick a favorite. 

Mexican pork dishes like this one are a favorite of ours because they can be frozen, then used to make dinner on busy nights!!

I love to prep this for taco night because it makes the best carnitas and flavor. A little bit of meal prep goes a long way to create fork tender slow-cooked pork.

I promise you that it’s an easy recipe that all home cooks can make. 

easy carnitas recipe ingredients in bowls on counter

Easy Carnitas Recipe

Tender and flavorful bites of spice-rubbed pork are slow cooked, then finished under the broiler to obtain the most magnificent crisp around the edges.

This easy carnitas recipe is one to keep, and it’s certainly one that we enjoy serving at parties and celebrations!

Looking for more slow cooker recipes to feed a crowd? Try these chicken tacos or my incredible barbacoa that tastes just like the one from Chipotle.

making easy carnitas recipe in crockpot

Ingredients Needed For Mexican Pork

  • Sirloin Tip Roast – Leaner than the typical shoulder cut, but just as delicious, this becomes incredibly tender when cooked in a crockpot. 

    Be sure that it’s boneless so you get the most meat for your money.
  • Chicken Stock – Instead of buying a carton from the store, mix 1 tablespoon low sodium chicken base into 2 cups of water.
  • Spices – A delicious blend of garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and dried oregano. 

    I also add a healthy dose of New Mexico chili powder, which has earthy and fruity undertones and a medium level of heat.
  • Limes – Squeeze a couple of fresh limes over the cooked meat before serving. The bright citrus cuts through the fat and enhances the flavor of the spices.
slow cooked mexican pork shoulder

Storage and Reheating

Unless you prepare this easy carnitas recipe for a large group, you’re bound to have leftovers!

Allow the meat to cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container with some of the cooking liquid. 

Mexican pulled pork can be refrigerated for 3 to 4 days, or you can freeze it for up to 3 months.

Reheat pork sirloin tip roast in the slow cooker, microwave, or oven until warmed through, adding a splash of broth as needed for moisture. 

If frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight first.

shredding carnitas

Easy Carnitas Recipe FAQ

What cut of meat is best for carnitas? 

A shoulder roast (also known as pork butt) is the top choice for a number of reasons. It’s easy to shred, especially when slow cooked for hours, and the fat provides plenty of flavor and moisture.

It’s also one of the most inexpensive cuts, making it a budget-friendly option for many families.

I personally like to use boneless pork sirloin tip roast for this slow cooker recipe. It’s not as fatty as the shoulder, but it’s not as lean as tenderloin. It has just the right balance of texture and flavor!

Are carnitas and Mexican pulled pork the same? 

Essentially, yes. Both are slow cooked for hours until the meat is falling apart and extra tender.

The difference is one small step at the end — carnitas are broiled before serving so the ends become brown and crispy.

What goes well with pork carnitas? 

Just about everything! We love to spoon some of the slow cooker pork sirloin tip roast into flour tortillas with all of our favorite toppings — an easy pork tacos recipe!

Mexican pork is also incredible over cilantro lime rice with beans, salsa, and guacamole or stuffed into a cheesy quesadilla. You could even add some to homemade nachos!

What are the best toppings for shredded pork?

It just depends on how you’re going to use this slow cooker carnitas recipe. You can top it with sour cream, black beans, pico de Gallo, BBQ sauce, red onion, salt and black pepper, citrus juices, or any other simple ingredients that you want to add. Toppings are a great way to add so much flavor!  

You can also use this pork in a variety of ways. I love to make a burrito bowl with a single layer of rice, a ton of meat, and all the toppings that I can think of. You can make a large bowl or small bowl for a snack. 

The seasoned pork really does make for a delicious crispy carnitas taco, so it’s a good thing that you have all the details on the recipe card below. Use this great recipe for Cinco de Mayo or as a yummy Mexican dish for everyone to enjoy. It’s a simple way to make a delicious meal that can taste so many different ways. 

This is the easiest recipe to make! 

crockpot carnitas on sheet pan

Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours. 

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pulled pork tacos, close up

Easy Carnitas (Mexican Slow Cooker Pulled Pork) + Video

Donna Elick
This easy carnitas recipe is ready in about 4 hours with the help of a slow cooker. Enjoy tender Mexican pulled pork for dinner tonight!
5 stars from 1 review
Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 20 minutes
Course Main
Cuisine Mexican
Method Slow Cooker
Servings 8

Ingredients
 

  • 4 pounds boneless pork sirloin tip roast
  • 1 tablespoon New Mexico chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
  • 2 cups low sodium chicken stock, or 2 cups water and 1 tablespoon low sodium chicken base
  • 2 limes
  • salt , to taste

Instructions
 

  • Cut pork into 8 cubes. Set aside.
  • In a small bowl combine chili powder, garlic, cumin, paprika, and oregano. Mix to combine. Coat pork with the spice mixture on all sides of pork pieces. Place into a slow cooker (I used a 6 quart). Pour chicken stock around the sides of the pot. Avoid pouring directly on top of pork or seasoning will come off.
  • Cover and cook on high for 4 hours (alternately cook on low for 10 hours). Meanwhile prepare a baking sheet with aluminum foil. When the pork is tender, use 2 forks to shred meat into large pieces. Taste for seasoning, if necessary add salt to taste (mine did not need salt). Use a slotted spoon to remove pork from slow cooker and place on a cookie sheet.
  • Pour cooking liquid into a pot and boil until thickened (spoon leaves a trail when swirled through) and pour over pork. Preheat oven to broil. Place pork until broiler until edges are nice and crisp, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from oven and squeeze 2 limes over top.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 275cal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 54g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 141mg | Sodium: 149mg | Sugar: 1g | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 3mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Originally published October 2014, updated and republished February 2024

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35 Comments

  1. I love slow cooking pork with Himalayan salt and liquid smoke then shredding it. I serve it with pineapple rice.

    1. The pineapple rice intrigues me…sounds like a great combo with the pork…could you publish the recipe?? thanks in advance

    2. The pineapple rice intrigues me….sounds great with pork…can you publish your recipe…thanks in advance Ruth

  2. Tony Chacheres is my "go to" seasoning. I lightly sprinkle my pork loins, ribs, ect with it at least 24 hours in advance then slow cook on the grill till my meat thermometer says it's done. Let the meat rest 10 minutes then enjoy some goodness. Angela

  3. Pork Carnitas is our family favorite, I make it at least 2-3 times a month because it's so easy and tasty….I usually use the pork loin in Costco because it comes in 6-7lbs and I can make 2-3 meals out of it, I will look next time for the sirloin tip roast packages you mention and try your recipe version, it looks delicious, I love Costco.
    Samantha

  4. My favorite Mexican meal. Try it with corn tortillas. A little more "tooth" and they don't get soaked through as fast.

    1. New Mexico chile powder is made up entirely of ground chiles (unlike chili powder, which has other spices added) but it has a smokiness and a touch of heat to it. It is pretty readily available and you should find it in the international aisle in your grocery store (or super center).

      Enjoy and let us know how it goes.

  5. Just made this for dinner tonight using the exact cut of pork pictured on this page. I had no idea what to do with this "4 pack" of roasts and this was the perfect recipe. My whole family loved it. We sauteed onions and peppers to serve along side the Carnitas.

  6. plan to try this this weekend, it looks/sounds wonderful! quick question; what is the purpose of the lime at the end? does it enhance the flavor of the pork?

  7. I couldn't find New Mexico chili powder so I bought the whole dried New Mexico Chili and put it on the blender and made my own powder!! The house smells so good, I just had a little of the pork and it tastes amazing!

  8. I followed this recipe to the letter and it was terrible, too dry. I feel that this is the wrong cut of meat, not enough fat. Traditionally the head of the pig is used to make carnitas, I live in TX and I have had carnitas a time or two.

  9. I made this for a Saturday lunch, and it turned out fantastic. I didn't have New Mexico chili powder, so I used regular chili powder and a dash of pepper flakes which turned out great. I am going to go find some at the grocery store though, because my family wants me to make it again next Saturday.

  10. This is our favorite carnitas recipe, and I love picking up these sirloin tip roasts at Costco. However, my crockpot is currently non-functional–that's what happens when you forget to add liquid at the start (to a different recipe), and try adding it part of the way through–snap, crackle, pop! So, has anyone tried this recipe in the oven?

  11. I buy these pork roast at Costco and love your way of cooking them. Just hubby and me so I halve the recipe and it turns out great every time! Thanks for an easy great dinner recipe!

  12. In the slow cooker now! I didn't have chili and we're not spicy folks – plus need the 4yo to love this. He likes strong robust flavor and pork so I suspect this will be a winner! Thanks for the recipe.

  13. I have made this many times, always amazing. I make up large batches of the spice mix and keep it in a sealed container so that it is always ready to go. Works great as a grilling seasoning. Just made a huge batch using two large fresh hams I had from buying a pig. Now I have plenty to put in the freezer for another day. Thanks for the recipe! Julie

  14. Just made this tonight and loved the flavors! Didn't have NM chilli powder so used regular chilli powder and added a pinch of cayenne. I did slice some onions before placing roast in crock pot and a couple smashed garlic cloves & pickled jalapeno slices in the mix since like an extra kick. I skipped the broil at the end bc didn't want to dry out pork…plus we were hungry and couldn't wait��. Served over a bed of cheesy polenta and topped with finely chopped cilantro.
    Delicious! Thank you!

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