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Slow Cooker Crispy Pork in a white bowl
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3.90 from 10 votes

Slow Cooker Crispy Pork

The best and the easiest crispy pork carnitas recipe and the only one you will ever need. Thanks to two easy steps, this slow cooked, shredded pork is tender on the inside and golden and crispy on the outside. Use it like carnitas - in tacos, breakfast burritos, quesadillas or burrito bowls. Or use it on salads, to make gyros, as a topping for pizza or with barbecue sauce for pulled pork sandwiches.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 hours
Total Time10 hours 10 minutes
Course: Main Dish
Keyword: pork, slow cooker recipe, tex mex
Servings: 12 to 16 servings
Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef
Cost: $10.00

Equipment

  • 6-quart Slow Cooker
  • Cutting Board
  • Skillet

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Broth (bone broth or pork broth work best; you can also use orange juice which adds a subtle but great citrus flavor)
  • 4 cloves Garlic, peeled and smashed
  • 7 lbs Pork Shoulder (or "Pork Butt"; bone in or boneless will work)
  • 3 Tbsp Olive Oil
  • 3 tsp Oregano, dried
  • 2 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Black Pepper
  • Lime juice

Instructions

  • Add broth and garlic to the bowl of a slow cooker (anything from a 5 quart to 8.5 quart will work, with the smaller size being a bit of a tight squeeze).
  • Place pork on top of broth.
  • Whisk together olive oil, oregano, salt and black pepper. Rub on the top surface of the pork.
  • Put the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low until the pork is tender and shreds easily, ~10 hours.
  • Transfer pork to a cutting board (reserve cooking liquid). When it is cook enough to handle, shred it using your hands or with a knife and fork.
  • Freeze or refrigerate shredded pork until you are ready to use it. Be sure to save the cooking liquid as well (this will add flavor back into the meat when you sear it).
  • When you are ready to serve the pork, heat a skillet over high heat. Add a splash of cooking oil and then pork (you many need to cook it in batches). Let pork cook on one side until very crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Season with some salt as it cooks. If the pan starts to look dry, pour a bit of the cooking liquid over top.
  • Flip pork and cook on the other side until crisp. Break pork apart and transfer to a serving bowl.
  • Squeeze a bit of lime juice over the pork just before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 273kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 108mg | Sodium: 589mg | Potassium: 558mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 56IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 2mg