Carnitas Oven Or Slow Cooker Recipes

BEST CARNITAS (SLOW COOKER PULLED PORK)

Steps:

• In a small bowl place oregano, cumin, black pepper, salt, and chili powder, then stir together.
• Trim any excess fat from the pork shoulder (but remember that some fat is good), then rub the spice mixture generously around the entire pork shoulder and place in the slow cooker.
• Add the onion, minced garlic, jalapeno and orange juice in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on the low setting for 8-10 hours, or high heat for 5-6 hours (until the meat falls apart).
• Remove the pork from the slow cooker to a large cutting board and use two forks to shred the meat. Don't get rid of the liquid as you will be using it later.
• Place the shredded pork on a baking sheet. Pour 1 cup of the reserved slow cooker liquid over the pork to keep it moist and tender.
• Broil for 5-10 minutes or until the meat becomes golden browned and crispy on the edges.

CARNITAS (MEXICAN SLOW COOKER PULLED PORK)

Steps:

• Rinse and dry the pork shoulder, rub all over with salt and pepper.
• Combine the Rub ingredients then rub all over the pork.
• Place the pork in a slow cooker (fat cap up), top with the onion, jalapeño, minced garlic (don't worry about spreading it) and squeeze over the juice of the oranges.
• Slow Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 7 hours. (Note 2 for other cook methods)
• Pork should be tender enough to shred. Remove from slow cooker and let cool slightly. Then shred using two forks.
• Optional: Skim off the fat from the juices remaining in the slow cooker and discard.
• If you have a lot more than 2 cups of juice, then reduce it down to about 2 cups. The liquid will be salty, it is the seasoning for the pork. Set liquid aside - don't bother straining onion etc, it's super soft.

CARNITAS (OVEN OR SLOW COOKER)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 F degrees.
• Cut the pork shoulder into 3- to 4-inch chunks, trimming and discarding as much of the excess fat as possible. This cut is extremely well marbled so don't attempt to remove all of the fat, just trim the excess around the edges of each chunk the best you can. Transfer the pieces of pork to a large Dutch oven. (You'll end up tossing some pieces that are mostly fat. This is why you want to start with a 4+ pound roast).
• Combine the Carnitas Seasoning Mix ingredients in a small bowl and sprinkle over the pork. Toss lightly to distribute the seasoning. Add the quartered onion, garlic, the juice from the oranges and limes, the spent orange halves only (discard the spent lime halves), and the bay leaves.
• Cover the pot, transfer to the oven, and cook for 2 ½ to 3 hours or until the meat is very tender and easy to shred. Remove the pot from the oven.
• Coat a large rimmed baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the chunks of pork to the baking sheet and using two forks, shred the meat into small pieces. Measure out ½ cup of the juices from the Dutch oven and pour it over the shredded pork, tossing to combine. Spread the pork out in an even layer.
• Set your oven to BROIL. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and broil for about 3 minutes, until browned and crisped. Remove from oven and use a spatula or tongs to toss the carnitas, then spread back out in an even layer. Return the baking sheet to the oven for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, or until crisped to your liking. Watch closely so it doesn't burn.
• Follow as directed above, adding the ingredients to a 6-quart slow cooker.
• Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours.
• Follow directions above to finish and brown the cooked pork in the oven.
• Toast tortillas in a dry skillet over MEDIUM heat for about 30 seconds per side, or until well toasted.
• Serve on toasted tortillas with toppings of choice.

SLOW-COOKER PORK CARNITAS

Steps:

• Add the chicken broth, orange juice, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, oregano, red pepper flakes, cloves, and 2 teaspoons kosher salt to a large slow cooker and whisk to combine. Add the onion, garlic and bay leaves and stir to combine. Add the pork and toss to coat. Cover and cook on high until the meat is tender, about 5 hours.
• Transfer the pork to a large bowl with a slotted spoon and discard the bay leaves, onion, and garlic. Shred the pork into bite-size pieces with 2 forks, leaving some larger chunks, and season with salt and pepper.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the lard in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add half the shredded pork and press down into an even layer with a spatula. Cook, pressing occasionally with a spatula, until crisped and browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and cover with foil to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining 2 tablespoons lard and shredded pork.
• Serve with tortillas, cilantro, jalapenos and pickled red onions.
• Put the sliced onions in a medium heatproof, nonreactive bowl. Put the vinegar, orange juice, lime juice, bay leaves, sugar, coriander and 1 tablespoon kosher salt in a small saucepan and whisk to combine. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook, whisking occasionally, until the sugar dissolves, about 1 minute. Pour the mixture over the red onions and set aside until cooled to room temperature. Serve at room temperature or cover and refrigerate up to 4 days.

SLOW COOKER CARNITAS

Steps:

• Mix together salt, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, coriander, and cinnamon in a bowl. Coat pork with the spice mixture. Place the bay leaves in the bottom of a slow cooker and place the pork on top. Pour the chicken broth around the sides of the pork, being careful not to rinse off the spice mixture.
• Cover and cook on Low until the pork shreds easily with a fork, about 10 hours. Turn the meat after it has cooked for 5 hours. When the pork is tender, remove from slow cooker, and shred with two forks. Use cooking liquid as needed to moisten the meat.

CARNITAS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a large Dutch oven, combine pork, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper and the oregano, and toss to evenly coat the meat in the spices. Squeeze orange juice all over the pork and add the juiced orange quarters to the pot. Add onion, garlic, cinnamon stick and bay leaf, and toss until well incorporated, nestling everything in an even layer. Drizzle oil evenly over the meat. Cover and braise in oven until pork is tender, about 2 1/2 hours, stirring once halfway through the cooking.
• Heat broiler to high, setting a rack 6 inches from the heat source. Transfer pork to a rimmed baking sheet and shred the meat. Strain juices from the pot through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl, pressing on the solids; discard solids. Skim fat from top and reserve the juices.
• Broil pork until golden and crisp in spots, about 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer carnitas to serving plates and drizzle with some of the reserved juices. Serve warm with tortillas and toppings of choice.