This Easy Carnitas Recipe can be made in the slow cooker or Instant Pot for foolproof Mexican pulled pork that’s juicy and flavorful. Perfect for tacos, tostadas, gorditas, burrito bowls and more! (gluten free, paleo, low carb)
Seasoned with Mexican flavors like oregano, cumin, chili powder and lime juice, this Easy Mexican Carnitas Recipe makes tender, mouthwatering pulled pork with minimal prep work.
Growing up in a Mexican household, I ate my fair share of traditional Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes like Steak Fajitas, Chicken Tacos, Pork Chile Verde, Carne Asada and Chile Colorado.
But the one recipe I always wanted to learn how to make (because it makes the best pork tacos) was carnitas.
I’m happy to say that I finally learned how to make this carnitas recipe over 5 years ago and I’ve never met a person who didn’t fall in love with it! Also, not only is it the most popular recipe on Isabel Eats, but it’ll make your house smell amazing while you’re cooking it! It’s a nice little bonus.
What are carnitas?
Carnitas are the Mexican version of pulled pork. It’s traditionally made with pork shoulder (also known as pork butt) because of the higher fat content, which helps the meat stay super tender and juicy while it’s cooked.
It can be used to make tacos (as pictured in the photos in this post), tostadas, salads, nachos, burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, basically everything!
This recipe is extremely easy to make and comes out perfect every single time. It’s literally fail proof! Here’s what you need to get started.
Ingredients you’ll need
- meat: pork shoulder (also known as pork butt)
- acid: lime juice
- seasonings: salt, ground cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, onion powder, black pepper
How to make carnitas
Cut pork shoulder into large 4-inch chunks, removing any excess fat. Place in the slow cooker. (photo 1)
Cover with lime juice, salt, ground cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, onion powder and black pepper. (photo 2)
Mix everything together until the meat is evenly coated with the spices. (photo 3)
Cover and cook on high for 4 hours, or on low for 6-8 hours. (photo 4)
When the meat is very tender, pull it apart with two forks. Mix in some freshly chopped cilantro if desired and serve. (photo 5)
One of my favorite things about this carnitas recipe is that it’s made in the slow cooker (here’s one I recommend). I usually use the high setting and slow cook it for 4 hours. It’s fall-apart tender and juicy every time!
If you have a little more time and want to use the low setting, I recommend slow cooking it on low for 7-8 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Carnitas Recipe
Since posting this recipe back in 2015, I’ve received lots of great questions from readers. I want to make sure I answer the questions I get the most, so here’s the most frequently asked questions.
Are you sure there’s enough liquid in this carnitas recipe?
Yes. If you’re making this recipe in the slow cooker, you don’t need any extra liquid because pork shoulder is a very marbled cut of meat. As the meat cooks, the fat starts to render and provides enough liquid (and flavor!) for the recipe.
However, if you’re making this recipe in the Instant Pot, you will need to add some extra liquid as is required by any pressure cooker method of cooking. See Instant Pot notes below and in the recipe card.
Can I make these carnitas in the Instant Pot?
Yes! To make these carnitas in the Instant Pot pressure cooker, add all the ingredients into the pot just like you would in the slow cooker method, and then add in 1 cup of broth – chicken, beef or vegetable will all work.
Close the lid, set the vent to “sealing” and pressure cook on high for 40 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes, then manually release the remaining pressure. Shred and serve as normal.
All I have is pork loin. Can I still make this recipe?
Yes, but I would add a tablespoon or two of fat – either olive oil, coconut oil or whatever you prefer.
Since pork loin is a much leaner cut than pork shoulder, I’d also add 1/4 cup of liquid – either broth or orange juice.
Can slow cooker carnitas be frozen?
Yes. To freeze, cool the pulled pork carnitas to room temperature. Place it in an air tight freezer bag, leaving about 2 inches of room at the top to allow for expansion, and freeze. It can be kept frozen for 4-6 months.
To reheat, heat it up in medium pot on the stove or a large bowl in the microwave.
Ways to eat slow cooker carnitas
Looking for ways to use your pork carnitas? Here are some of my favorite ways to eat it throughout the week!
- make carnitas tacos (warm corn tortillas, diced onions, chopped cilantro, cotija cheese, freshly squeezed lime juice, pickled jalapenos and salsa)
- stuffed in gorditas with shredded cheese
- topped on homemade tostada shells and sopes
- in burrito bowls or on top of nachos
- on a plate with easy refried beans and authentic mexican rice
I hope you love this recipe as much as I do! To get more easy Mexican recipes delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for my weekly email newsletter. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest!
Ingredients
For the carnitas
- 2 1/2 pounds pork shoulder (also known as ‘pork butt’)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 teaspoons coarse sea salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup broth (chicken, beef or vegetable) *for Instant Pot cooking method only*
Instructions
Slow Cooker Instructions
- Cut the pork shoulder into large 4-inch chunks. Place in the slow cooker.
- Add the lime juice, salt, ground cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, onion powder and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to coat the meat with all the seasonings.
- Cover and cook on high for 4 hours, or on low for 7-8 hours. When tender, shred the meat by pulling it apart with two forks.
- Mix in freshly chopped cilantro if desired and serve in tacos, gorditas, tostadas, burrito bowls and salads.
Instant Pot Instructions
- Cut the pork shoulder into large 4-inch chunks. Place in the Instant Pot.
- Add the lime juice, salt, ground cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, onion powder, black pepper and 1 cup of broth. Mix thoroughly to coat the meat with all the seasonings.
- Lock the lid and set the steam release vent to the "sealing" position. Press the "manual" button and set the timer on high pressure for 40 minutes.
- When the 40 minutes are up, let the pressure naturally release for 15 minutes. Then manually release the remaining pressure by moving the steam release vent to the "venting" position.
- Open the lid and shred the meat with two forks. Mix in freshly chopped cilantro if desired and serve in tacos, gorditas, tostadas, burrito bowls and salads.
Isabel’s Tips:
Nutrition Information
Awesome!! Delicious!! My husband loved it! I used Mccormicks chili powder mix. I had mojo bottle mix instead of limes. This what I had on hand. But it was a big hit!!!
I have a half a pork roast in the freezer…can I use that cut of meat for this.
Do you think you could make with chicken?
Yes. It wouldn’t be the same but it would still be great. I would use chicken thighs.
Hi all!
Just wanted to say that I have mastered this recipe in the instant pot! I will say it is a crowd pleaser! However I am going to another party where a few people don’t eat pork, would I be able to modify this with chicken? I know chicken is alot leaner so I’m wondering how that would work out?? Thank you!!
Your recipe is delicious and easy to make! I’ve followed your recipe for a couple of weeks now and my family absolutely loves the food I make. Your recipes are hearty and healthy, simple and delicious! Thank you so much for sharing your love of Mexican foods now I love them too!
Thank you so much! I’m happy you love the recipe!
I made this with pork and I loved it!! Can I use same ingredients for flank steak in the slow cooker?
Thank you, Jessica! I’ve never used flank steak in the slow cooker but I think it could work! Flank steak is a very lean cut of meat though so I may add a few tablespoons of olive oil or other fat to give it a richer flavor and help it not dry out as much. You may also need to add a cup of broth.
Dude, add some orange juice and some Coca Cola and your carnitas will taste Michoacán Carnitas, best in the world! Once saw a guy in Quiroga pouring some Lechera into his cazo, but dunno, I didn’t catch how much was it, so we better no. Anyways, love all you recipes!
I Love this recipe but I dont have my crock pot anymore and do not own an instant pot. Is there an alternative way of cooking this recipe without them?
Thanks, Jessica! I haven’t tested this recipe other than a slow cooker or instant pot, but it’s on my list to try it in the oven very soon! Once I do, I’ll make sure to update the recipe with those instructions as well.
OMG amazing. This was so good out of the slow cooker that we didn’t even bother with crisping it in the oven! Delicious, and went really well with your AMAZING refried beans! We ate it as taco bowls, the kids as burritos, with a roasted tomatillo salsa and guacamole. So, so good.
Thank you so much, Justine! I totally agree! I usually eat it without crisping it up as well 🙂 Enjoy!
i am planning on this for a party this weekend. can you recommend a crema for it?
Hi! Here’s a link to a crema that would go well with this recipe: https://www.isabeleats.com/cilantro-lime-crema/
Question? Do you add the water when the simmer starts or just before serving?
I am going to make this for dinner tonight .
Will post the results am very excited to cook this because my hubby is from mexico and I am tired of cooking the same old things .
I looked over all of your post for food and I have to say will be using most of them
Thanks, Barbara. I hope you love them!
Sounds delicious! I have a pork butt on the bone…do I have to cut it up or can I put the whole thing in the crockpot on low for 8 hours?
I would still cut it up. It helps with the cook time and makes it a little easier to shred at the end.
I served this at a dinner party. So many compliments – but the best was when I was clearing the table – 2 women each grabbed spoons full and popped them in their mouths before I took the bowl away. So funny. Thanks for a great – easy slow cooker recipe.
Aww, that makes me so happy! It’s definitely a crowd pleaser at my house, too 🙂 Thank you so much!
These were amazing! Thank you so much for the easy recipe. 🙂
Question, if I double the recipe, how long do I cook it? In the slow cooker? In the pressure cooker?
Can you cook the meat a day or 2 in advance of serving?
Yes!
Hi, I made this recently, and wasn’t sure whether to remove all of the liquid from the pork or to serve it with some of the liquid? The meat was delightful and didn’t need any additional liquid, but just wasn’t sure whether I should have left some of the liquid on it? Also, I should have increased the seasonings as you would expect when you use a larger cut of pork, but I didn’t …. and I will next time! Love your website, recipes and suggestions! Thank you!
Hi Janita, I think it just depends on how you serve it. If you’re using it in tacos, I would only leave a little bit of liquid because you don’t want the meat to be too wet, especially if you’re adding toppings like sour cream and salsa. If you’re serving it in a burrito bowl or with rice and beans, I think it’s okay to serve it with some liquid. It all just depends.
Can’t wait to make this!
Off topic, but my name is also Janita!! It’s fun to see another person with the name. Not too common.
These taste just like carnitas I’ve had in Mexico. They were tender, juicy, and easy to make.
I highly recommend these!
Isabel, I have made these a couple of times. After the slow cooker process and shredding, I lay the port on a sheet pan and roast it in an400 degree oven, stirring 3 times in a 30 minute bake. The tips become crusty while the rest of the shoulder remains very moist. It kicks up the flavor just a bit.
Thanks for the suggestion, Bob! I’m going to have to try this!
Frying the pork afterwards then deglazing with citrus juice (oj/lime/lemon) is muy deliciouso!