Slow Cooker Carnitas Pork Tacos

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These Crockpot Carnitas Pork Tacos with Queso Fresco, lime, cilantro and scallion are the  perfect weeknight meal, or a great set-it-and-forget-it party food (I’m looking at you, football season). With a simple list of ingredients for the perfect carnitas seasoning, these tacos are as easy as they are delicious.

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Easy and delicious Carnitas Pork Tacos- in the crockpot!

These tangy, succulent Crockpot Carnitas Tacos are the stuff dreams are made of, but if that dream was to have the crockpot do all the work for you. I love to break this recipe out when I’m having people over for the game, or just when I’m looking for a no-fuss crockpot recipe if I’ve got a busy day ahead. Also when I’m in the mood for tacos, which- let’s be real, is ALWAYS. 

Carnitas seasoning

Making these super delicious pulled pork tacos, it all starts with the right Carnitas seasoning. To make the pork for the tacos super flavorful, you will need:

• Beer. Any lager or pilsner you like will do the trick.
• Tons of fresh peeled garlic.
• Onion.
• An orange and some limes.
• Ground cumin, salt, pepper, dried oregano and bay leaves.

This simple and flavorful base cooks with the pork low and slow, for a succulent and delicious pork that is fork tender and fall apart amazing,

Build your perfect taco

The pork shoulder is the mouthwatering base, but the fixings of each taco are fully customizable to your tastes. Hate cilantro? Leave it out! You could also easily switch the scallion for a quick pickled red onion or some thinly sliced shallots, and add some hot sauce or sliced avocado if you so desire. The possibilities are endless, and I am all about just using whatever you have in the fridge!

An easy carnitas recipe for any night of the week

Aside from being fairly simple to prepare utilizing your slow cooker, this recipe is also very budget friendly. Pork shoulder is a low cost, high yield cut of meat with a ton of flavor. I recently bought a whole bone-in, 9 lb shoulder for $9, and broke it down for multiple uses. These are the ultimate pulled pork tacos!

The best cut of pork for Carnitas in the crockpot

I also love to make BBQ Pork Sliders with Country Slaw and South Philly Style Slow Cooker Italian Shredded Pork with the shoulder. It’s a great cut of meat to have hiding away in your freezer, so don’t shy away from purchasing a large shoulder if you happen upon one at a great price.

Can I use a pork loin instead of a shoulder for the Carnitas Pork Tacos?

I would advise against this. The fat/marbling of the pork shoulder is crucial to the crockpot carnitas recipe. It not only allows for the meat to remain moist and tender, but also aids in the crisping of the final product for the tacos (save those precious juices).  A pork loin would yield a much drier product, and would not crisp well in the final steps.

Can I omit the beer?

Definitely. While I love the flavor it adds to the crockpot carnitas, you could easily substitute for the same volume of chicken, beef or vegetable stock and still enjoy delicious pulled pork tacos.

Can I use a pressure cooker/instant pot to make these Crockpot Carnitas Tacos?

Absolutely, and please tell me how it turns out. From my research of recipes using similar cuts of meat, my guess at timing would be somewhere around 60 minutes, but use your best judgement!

Want to give this Carnitas Pork Tacos recipe a try?

If you make my Carnitas Pork Tacos, please be sure to leave me a comment! I would love to hear from you, and value your feedback! Lastly, if you make the recipe and love it, please tag me on Instagram! I love to see your photos!

Looking for more great recipes?

 Why not try my Crockpot Beef Stew with Dumplings, World’s Best Pot Roast, Short Ribs with Root Vegetable Purée, or Slow Cooker Balsamic Brisket!

Print Recipe

3.67 from 3 votes

Slow Cooker Carnitas Pork Tacos

Prep Time1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Cook Time8 hours hrs

Total Time8 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Course: Dinner, game day, Main Course

Keyword: carnitas, crockpot recipes, mexican recipes, pulled pork, slow cooker recipes, tacos

Equipment

• crockpot/slow cooker

Ingredients

• 1 12 oz beer (Lager or Pilsner)*
• 3-4 lbs cubed pork shoulder, cut into 2” cubes
• 8-10 cloves or peeled garlic
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 1 large orange*
• 2 limes
• 2 1/2 tbsp cumin
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp fresh ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp oregano
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tbsp canola oil

Taco Fixings

• 6 scallions, finely chopped*
• 10 oz Queso Fresco, crumbled
• 30-40 small white corn tortillas (such as Guerrero), charred
• 2 limes, quartered
• 1 cup chopped cilantro leaves

Instructions

• Add the cubed pork, spices and beer to the crockpot. Slice limes and orange in half and juice directly into crockpot, and throw in the fruit once juiced. Add whole garlic cloves and sliced onions. Stir all ingredient to combine, and cook on low for 8 hours, or until the pork shreds easily when pressed with a fork.

  2. Using tongs, transfer the meat to a cutting board and shred with 2 forks. Discard the citrus and bay leaves, and transfer the remaining juices to a bowl or liquid measuring cup. Discard any large pieces of fat as you shred the pork.

  3. Heat a tbs canola oil in a large frying pan over medium high heat and add the shredded pork, working in 2 batches as to not crowd the pork for even browning. Heat the pork in the pan for 2-3 minutes, and slowly add the pork juices, just enough to moisten the pan. Press the pork down and fry until the pork begins to crisp around the edges (about 3-5 minutes. Flip the pork and add the juices again. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, and continue until all pork is crisped/browned. Add in ¼ cup of remaining juices and serve. (alternatively, you could also lay the shredded pork out on a rimmed baking sheet with about 1 cup of the juices and broil 3-5 minutes, until top is crisp)

Taco Assembly

• Serve the tacos with finely chopped scallion, crumbled Queso Fresco, cilantro leaves and fresh squeezed lime on charred corn tortillas.

To char the tortillas

• Heat a gas stove burner on medium high and place corn tortilla directly on the burner. Watch carefully and flip with tongs once the tortilla begins to brown/bubble (this will be FAST). Once both sides are charred, remove to a serving platter and repeat with remaining tortillas.

*Substitutions:

3-4 Clementines for 1 Orange
1.5 Cups of Chicken, Beef or Vegetable stock for 1 12 oz beer
Scallion can be replaced with thinly sliced shallots or pickled onions

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