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Tender Slow Cooker Carnitas Recipe with Easy Zesty Pickled Onion

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A fuss-free slow cooker carnitas recipe featuring tender, melt-in-your-mouth pork shoulder paired with bright, tangy zesty pickled onions. Perfect for tacos, bowls, or snacks with a flavorful citrus and spice blend.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 to 4 lbs pork shoulder (bone-in or boneless, trimmed of excess fat but marbled)
  • 1 large orange (zested and juiced)
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 ½ tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp dried oregano (Mexican oregano preferred)
  • 1 ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 cup chicken broth (240 ml)
  • 1 medium red onion (thinly sliced)
  • ½ cup white vinegar (120 ml)
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp salt (for pickling brine)
  • Optional garnishes: fresh cilantro, lime wedges, warm corn tortillas

Instructions

  1. Trim and prep the pork by removing excess fat and patting dry with paper towels (10 minutes).
  2. Mix the marinade by combining orange zest and juice, minced garlic, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, and chicken broth in a bowl; whisk gently.
  3. Place the pork in the slow cooker and pour the marinade over it; add bay leaves and press pork to submerge (5 minutes).
  4. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or until pork is fork-tender and shreds easily. Alternatively, cook on high for 4 to 5 hours.
  5. While pork cooks, prepare pickled onions: slice red onion thinly. In a small saucepan, combine white vinegar, sugar, salt, and ½ cup water; heat until sugar dissolves. Pour over onions in a heatproof bowl and let sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, then refrigerate until serving. Drain before serving.
  6. Remove pork from slow cooker, discard bay leaves, and shred meat with two forks. Return shredded pork to slow cooker to soak in juices for 10 minutes.
  7. Serve carnitas on warm tortillas topped with zesty pickled onions, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. Add sides or salads as desired.
  8. Optional: For crispy edges, spread shredded carnitas on a baking sheet and broil for 5 minutes, watching carefully.

Notes

Use pork shoulder with good marbling but not overly fatty. Mexican oregano preferred but regular oregano with a pinch of dried thyme works. For gluten-free, verify chicken broth label. For dairy-free, substitute sour cream with coconut yogurt if adding crema. Broil shredded carnitas for crispy edges but watch carefully to avoid burning. Pickled onions taste best after sitting overnight but 30 minutes minimum is sufficient.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker carnitas, pork shoulder, pickled onions, easy carnitas recipe, zesty pickled onion, slow cooker recipe, Mexican pork, tender carnitas

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