Raise your hand if you love tacos! I have both hands raised. If you are a pork taco fan, you have to try this recipe! This Slow Cooker Spicy Pork Carnitas recipe is one of the easiest pork dishes you will ever make!
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 8 hours
- Additional time: 10 minutes
- Servings: 6-8
- Prep level: Beginner +
What I Love About This Recipe
- Bold flavor – The pork soaks up the spicy, smoky seasonings.
- Fast & easy – It honestly takes 10 minutes to prep the ingredients and toss everything in a slow cooker.
- Texture – Slow cooking makes the pork met-in-your-mouth tender.
- Customizable heat – Dial up the spice or keep it mild.
- Make-ahead and freezer friendly – This pork recipe tastes even better the next day and freezes well.
Ingredient Notes
- Pork: The best cut of pork to use is pork shoulder (pork butt), skinless, boneless.
- Olive oil: Use a good quality to rub the pork.
- Chili powder: Adjust the amount to your taste. If you want really spicy pork, substitute it with a little cayenne pepper.
- Onion: White or red onion works well in this recipe.
- Jalapeno pepper: Adjust the amount to your taste. You can also use green chiles.
- Garlic cloves: You can use garlic powder if you’re out of fresh garlic.
- Citrus: Use fresh lime juice and fresh orange juice for the best flavor.
- Cilantro leaves: Roughly chopped.
- Warm tortillas: I’m a huge fan of shredded pork in corn tortillas. Soft flour tortillas are a great alternative.
- Optional toppings: Pickled red onion, sour cream, salsa, sliced avocado, hot sauce, queso fresco, and lime wedges.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Season the Pork – In a small bowl combine chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Rub or brush oil over the entire piece. Sprinkle the dry rub over the entire piece of pork and pat it down with your hands.
Flavoring – Place pork in a slow cooker (aka crock pot) and add the onions, garlic, and jalapeno peppers. You don’t need to spread ingredients out. Next top with fresh lime juice and orange juice.
Slow Cook – Cover and cook on low until the pork is tender enough to pull apart. (See recipe card for different weights and cooking times)
Shred The Pork – Remove from slow cooker and let cool slightly on a cutting board. Remove the fat cap. (it will gently pull off with a fork). Then shred the pork using two forks.
Brown – Heat a large skillet and fry over medium-high heat until small pieces become brown, using some of the leftover juices to keep the pork moist. Just before serving, drizzle a little bit more of the juice and serve hot!
Laura Belle’s Tips
- Choose the right cut of pork – While pork shoulder (pork butt) is traditionally used for carnitas, due to its rich flavor and tender texture when slow-cooked, you can also use pork tenderloin or pork roast.
- Shred and simmer – Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker to soak up all those savory juices.
- Don’t skip the browning – You can brown the pork in an oven but trust me when I say that browning shredded pork in a large skillet or a well-seasoned cast iron is the ticket!
- Toast your tortillas – Warm tortillas make a huge difference in flavor and texture. Heat them in a dry skillet or directly over a gas flame for a few seconds on each side.
Storage & Reheating
Store the meat and the broth separately. Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to use, reheat the broth on low heat, brown the pork per recipe, drizzling with the broth.
How & What to Serve with Spicy Pork
- A favorite thing of mine is spicy pork stuffed in a warm corn tortilla topped with chopped onion, queso fresco, and fresh chopped cilantro.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
It has a medium kick. You can easily adjust the heat by reducing or increasing the chili powder and jalapeños.
Absolutely. The flavor actually gets better over time. Store it in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat before serving.
Yes. Cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 6-8 hours, until the pork is tender and easy to shred.
Keep some of the cooking juices when shredding the pork. It adds flavor and locks in moisture. If the meat still dries out, add a splash of apple juice or chicken broth.
Spicy Mexican Pulled Pork Tacos (Slow Cooker)
This Slow Cooker Spicy Pork Carnitas recipe is one the easiest pork dishes you will ever make!
It honestly takes 10 minutes to prep the ingredients and toss everything in a slow cooker. Then let the slow cooker simmer for 8 hours for the most amazing fall-apart tender pork goodness!
Ingredients
- 2 pounds pork shoulder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1.5 teaspoons sea salt
- .5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1.5 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 onion (medium-chopped)
- 1 jalapeno pepper (seeded and finely chopped)
- 2-3 garlic cloves – minced
- 1 lime – juiced
- 1 orange – juiced
- Cilantro leaves – roughly chopped
- Warm corn tortillas
- Optional toppings – pickled red onion, sour cream, salsa, sliced avocado, hot sauce, queso fresco, and lime wedges.
Instructions
- Mix the dry rub (chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper).
- Rub or brush oil over the entire piece.
- Sprinkle the dry rub over the entire piece of pork and pat it down with your hands.
- Place pork in a slow cooker, fat cap up.
- Toss in the chopped onions, garlic, and jalapeno peppers. You don’t need to spread ingredients out.
- Next squeeze in the fresh lime juice and orange juice.
- Cover and cook on low.
- Once the pork is tender enough to fall apart, remove it and let cool slightly on a cutting board. Remove the fat cap. (it will gently pull off with a fork).
- Shred the pork using two forks.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over high heat.
- Spread the shredded pork in the pan in a single layer, and drizzle some of the leftover juices over it. Let the juices evaporate without stirring. Turn all the pieces and sear the other side for a quick minute. – you want crispy bits but also moist tender pieces. Don’t crowd the pan. Brown the pork in batches if necessary.
- Just before serving, drizzle a little bit more of the juice and serve hot.
Notes
Weight and Slow Cooker Times
2-3 pounds: 8 hours on low or 3 hours on high.
3-6 pounds: 10 hours on low or 6 hours on high.
6-8 pounds: 12 hours on low or 8 hours on high. A larger crock pot may be needed.
What to serve with Spicy Pork
A favorite thing of mine is spicy pork stuffed in a warm corn tortilla topped with chopped onion, queso fresco, and fresh chopped cilantro.
This great recipe is so versatile! I use spicy pork in Empanadas, on Tostadas, and even in a burrito bowl for a fun alternative.
Some great side dishes to have with Spicy Pork Tacos are Refried Beans, Seasoned Rice, Corn Casserole, and Mexican Macaroni Salad.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 487Total Fat: 36gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 113mgSodium: 636mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 4gSugar: 4gProtein: 31g
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