Cooker Carnitas
Cooker Carnitas are seasoned pork shoulder cooked low and slow (or quickly in a pressure cooker) until juicy and fall-apart tender, then crisped to perfection. The result is a versatile, flavourful filling perfect for tacos, burritos, nachos, or rice bowls.
Instructions
- Prepare the Pork:Season pork chunks with salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, and paprika
- Add to Cooker:Place pork, onions, garlic, orange juice, lime juice, chicken broth, and bay leaves into the slow cooker or pressure cooker.
- Cook Until Tender:Slow Cooker: Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.Pressure Cooker: Cook on high pressure for 60 minutes, then naturally release for 15 minutes.
- Shred the Pork:Remove pork from the cooker and shred with two forks.
- Crisp the Carnitas:Spread shredded pork on a baking sheet and broil for 5 minutes until edges are crispy. Toss with some cooking liquid for extra flavour.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve in tacos, burritos, or rice bowls with your favourite toppings like salsa, avocado, and fresh cilantro.
Notes
- Crisping the pork after cooking is key to authentic carnitas texture.
- Fresh orange and lime juice add brightness and balance the spices.
- Pork shoulder is the ideal cut for rich flavour and tenderness.
- Carnitas are perfect for batch cooking and freezing.