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Slow Cooker Carnitas

🍂 Fall 🍳 Weekend Easy
Mexican slow cooker pulled pork for tacos and burritos
PREP TIME15 mins
COOK TIME4 hours
TOTAL TIME4 hrs 15 mins
SERVINGS8
BUDGET$12

Description

Set it and forget it! This Mexican pulled pork is perfect for meal prep. Makes enough for a week of tacos, burritos, and bowls!

Ingredients

  • 3-4 lbs pork shoulder (bone-in or boneless)
  • 1 onion, quartered
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 2 oranges, juiced
  • 2 limes, juiced
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 2 teaspoons oregano
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and pepper
  • FOR SERVING:
  • Corn tortillas
  • Cilantro
  • Diced onion
  • Lime wedges
  • Salsa

Instructions

  1. Cut pork into 3-4 large chunks. Season generously with salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, and chili powder.
  2. Place pork in slow cooker. Add onion, garlic, bay leaf, orange juice, and lime juice.
  3. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours (or HIGH for 4 hours) until pork is fall-apart tender.
  4. Remove pork and shred with two forks. Discard bone and fat.
  5. Optional crispy step: Spread pork on a baking sheet. Broil for 5 minutes until edges crisp up.
  6. Serve in tacos with cilantro, onion, and lime!
  7. OR use for burrito bowls, quesadillas, nachos...

💡 Student Tips

Meal Prep King: Freeze portions in ziplock bags. Thaw for instant tacos all semester!

Juice Swap: No oranges? Use 1/2 cup chicken broth + 1 tablespoon sugar.

Make it Stretch: This feeds 8-10 people or gives you meals for a week. Budget superstar!