Slow Cooker Pork Loin Carnitas

A bowl of cooked pork loin carnitas topped with sliced jalapenos and chopped onion and cilantro.

Shannon

These Slow Cooker Pork Loin Carnitas are tender, juicy and flavorful making a great protein for tacos, rice bowls or tacos salads. Using a pork loin makes these carnitas healthier and less greasy than your average carnitas without sacrificing on flavor.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 8 30

Total Time 8 40

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mexican

Servings people

Calories 265 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

5 lb pork loin
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
2 Tablespoons smoked paprika
2 teaspoons cumin
2 teaspoons salt
½ tablespoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
2 cups chicken broth
2 Tablespoons liquid smoke
desired shells or tortillas and toppings for serving

Instructions

Trim any extra fat off the pork loin, then cut it against the grain into 3 smaller pieces.
In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, oregano, pepper and garlic powder. Rub the spice mixture evenly over all of the pork.
Add the chicken broth and liquid smoke to a greased slow cooker giving it a stir. Add spice-coated pork to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours until the meat is tender and shreds easily.
Once the pork has cooked, use a slotted spoon to remove it from the slow cooker and place it on a plate. Use 2 forks to shred the meat.
Return the shredded meat to the slow cooker and give everything a stir so the cooking juices flavor the meat. Allow the shredded meat to sit on low in the juices for 30 minutes before serving.
Serve the pork in desired shells or tortilla with toppings of your choice.

Notes

Serve these Pork Loin Carnitas in hard or soft taco shells, on a salad or even in a bowl with rice or cauliflower rice. Don't forget your favorite toppings such as Mexican Pickled Onions, Guacamole, Jalapeno Salsa, chopped onion, sliced jalapenos, chopped cilantro, sour cream or cheese.

For extra flavor and texture, spread the cooked Pork Loin Carnitas on a sheet then drizzle with a ladle of the cooking liquid and broil for about 5 minutes, until the edges are crisp and browned.

Nutrition

Calories: 265kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 43gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 633mgPotassium: 756mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 584IUVitamin C: 0.04mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 2mg

Keyword pork loin carnitas, pork loin tacos

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