Pineapple Citrus Slow Cooker Carnitas Recipe & Carnitas Tacos

Slow Cooker Carnitas and Carnitas Tacos are delicious and SO easy to make at home! Bold flavors from a homemade rub, pineapple and citrus juices make this recipe a favorite anytime!

Pineapple Citrus Slow Cooker Carnitas are packed with sweet-spicy flavor.

Juicy, tender pork and perfectly crisped edges makes them irresistibly delicious.

Carnitas are great for any Mexican food recipes, sandwiches and more.

Simple Carnitas Tacos are an easy, delicious way to use them!

Great for gatherings and Cinco de Mayo.

Jump to:

• What are Carnitas?
• Ingredients
• A Note on Trimming Fat on Pork Shoulder
• How to make Slow Cooker Carnitas – Step by Step
• How to Use 
• How to Make Carnitas Tacos
• How to Make Easy Street-Style Tacos
• Storing & Reheating Leftovers
• More Mexican recipes You’ll Love!
• Recipe

What are Carnitas?

Carnitas (translated to be ‘little pieces of meat’) are braised or roasted pork that is shredded and usually broiled to create mouthwatering crisp edges.

I use pork shoulder or pork butt (also from the shoulder, despite the name) which has some marbling of fat adding wonderful flavor.

It’s great for shredding and is the cut used most often for shredded pork for pulled pork sandwiches.

Ingredients

This recipes starts off with a flavorful cut of pork and builds on that flavor with a homemade rub. 

It is unique and special because the pork is cooked in pineapple and citrus juices giving it wonderful sweet and spicy flavor!

I think you’ll agree, this ingredients list is simple and delicious!

• Yellow Onion 
• Garlic Cloves 
• ground Cumin
• Chili Powder
• Oregano
• Kosher Salt
• ground Black Pepper
• Cinnamon
• Pork Butt or Pork Shoulder 
• Pineapple Juice
• Orange Juice
• Lime Juice

PRO TIP: the addition of a bit of cinnamon to the rub and the sweet pineapple juice, deepens the flavor of the crockpot carnitas and adds a touch of sweetness.

A Note on Trimming Fat on Pork Shoulder

There usually is some ‘marbling’ (thin lines of fat) running through the pork shoulder.

This is good for flavor and to keep the pork moist since it is a leaner meat.

If there are large external pieces of fat on the pork shoulder, these can be trimmed or cut off after the pork shoulder has cooked.

It separates easily when shredding the meat.

If Trimming Pork Shoulder Fat….

After trimming any exterior fat, rewarm the pork and liquids in the slow cooker over low temperature until warmed through.

Then proceed with the shredding and broiling the slow cooker carnitas as directed in the recipe.

How to make Slow Cooker Carnitas – Step by Step

This is an easy recipe. In fact so easy you’ll have it on repeat! 

For detailed instructions please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the blog post.

STEP 1: Add the onions to the bottom of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Add garlic cloves.

STEP 2: Combine the cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt, pepper and cinnamon in a small bowl.

STEP 3: Rub to cover the pork shoulder. Place pork on top of the onions in the slow cooker.

STEP 4: Pour the pineapple juice, orange juice and lime juice into the slow cooker. NOTE: avoid pouring it onto the pork and displacing the rub. Cover and cook for 8 hours on LOW.

STEP 5: Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil and preheat the broiler. Move the top oven rack to the second rack position.

STEP 6: Remove meat from the slow cooker (reserve liquids) and place on a cutting board. Using two forks shred the meat.

STEP 7: Put the shredded meat onto the prepared baking sheet evenly spreading it into one layer. Broil for 2 minutes, flip the meat and broil another 2 minutes.

Drizzle with ¼ cup of the cooking liquids, toss and broil for a final 2 minutes. Serve hot. 

How to Use 

Much like Slow Cooker Chicken Taco meat, a big batch of carnitas can be used for many recipes:

• Burritos
• Tostadas
• Mexican Bowl recipes
• Served solo with rice and beans
• in Sandwiches
• on Salads
• in Soups

You get the drift.

Anywhere you’d add shredded meat, carnitas add a wonderful flavor and texture.

My all time favorite use is in tacos!

How to Make Carnitas Tacos

This pork carnitas makes my favorite street tacos.

The Difference Between STREET TACOS and regular Tacos

Most people think of the crispy U-shaped shell filled with meat, vegetables and toppings when they think of a taco.

Street tacos are simple; using soft corn tortillas, grilled meat and usually only a few other ingredients or toppings.

Usually the corn tortillas for street tacos are smaller than the regular size too. 

Carnitas Street Tacos really let the flavors of the meat take center stage.

How to Make Easy Street-Style Tacos

These tacos are easy to eat in just a couple bites. But trust me you’ll want more!

• a corn tortilla
• some of the crock pot carnitas
• pickled red onion (I make them myself using this Quick Pickled Red Onion recipe)
• a sprinkling of crumbled Cotija cheese (a salty Mexican cheese which can be crumbled; available at most grocery stores)
• Torn cilantro leaves on top finish it off!
• Add some easy homemade Pico de Gallo if you love fresh salsa

My kids throw in diced pineapple too.

You can even find ‘street taco’ tortillas at the store that are a smaller size to make tacos with just a few bites!

Storing & Reheating Leftovers

Leftovers can be stored sealed in the refrigerator and are best broiled again for 2 minutes before serving.

More Mexican recipes You’ll Love!

• Easy Slow Cooker Mole Chicken Thighs
• Tacos Al Pastor in the Slow Cooker 
• Slow Cooker White Queso Green Chile Dip {Queso Blanco}
• Mexican Green Chile Steak Soup (Caldillo)
• Posole (Slow Cooker Mexican Stew Recipe)
• Instant Pot Barbacoa
• Instant Pot Chicken Tacos

Recipe

Originally published April 22, 2018.