These Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas taste just like you slow roasted them in the oven—tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. This easy crockpot carnitas recipe is perfect for tacos, bowls, or feeding a crowd.

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These Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas taste just like you slow-roasted them in the oven—tender, juicy, and full of flavor—but they’re unbelievably easy to make. The slow cooker does all the work, and you’re rewarded with melt-in-your-mouth pork that’s perfect for tacos and so much more.

A Little Backstory 💛

While working in my last kitchen job, I had the pleasure of learning from an amazing cook named Pedro. He shared recipes passed down from his grandmother—salsa, guacamole, chipotle chicken, refried beans, and my personal favorite: carnitas.

Pedro would cook his carnitas low and slow in the oven overnight, and they were hands-down the most tender and juicy carnitas I’d ever had. I adapted his method for the slow cooker, keeping that same rich, slow-roasted flavor with a much easier approach. You’re going to love these Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas.

Let’s Talk Tacos 🌮

Who doesn’t love tacos??? Honestly, if I were stranded on a desert island and could only eat one food for the rest of my life, I’d probably choose tacos.

I don’t think I’ve ever met a taco I didn’t like. From classic ground beef tacos to grilled shrimp topped with mango salsa—it’s all good. But if I had to pick a favorite? Carnitas, without a doubt.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Tastes like oven-roasted carnitas with slow cooker ease
Inspired by traditional family cooking
Tender, juicy pork every time
Perfect for tacos, bowls, and meal prep

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

5 to 5½ lb bone-in pork shoulder blade roast
1 large onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, finely minced
1½ tablespoons kosher salt
1½ teaspoons black pepper
1 teaspoon olive oil
¾ cup fresh orange juice
¾ cup cola made with real sugar (Mexican Coca-Cola or Pepsi work great)
¼ teaspoon liquid smoke

How to Make Pork Carnitas in the Slow Cooker

Step 1: Prep the Slow Cooker

Place the chopped onion in the bottom of your slow cooker.

Step 2: Season the Pork

In a small bowl, mix together the garlic, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Rub the mixture all over the pork shoulder and place it on top of the onions.

bowl of garlic and herbs rub for pork carnitas

pork in a crockpot placed on sliced onions

Step 3: Add the Cooking Liquid

Combine the orange juice, cola, and liquid smoke. Pour it over the pork.

all ingredients for pork carnitas in a crockpot ready to start cooking

Step 4: Slow Cook

Cover and cook on HIGH for 5 hours.

Step 5: Shred & Finish Cooking

After 5 hours, break the pork into chunks so it’s fully submerged in the cooking liquid. Replace the lid and cook for another 1–2 hours, until the pork is fall-apart tender.

Shred the meat with forks right in the slow cooker.

fully cooked pork carnitas in a crockpot

How to Serve Pork Carnitas

Serve with corn or flour tortillas and your favorite toppings:

Cilantro
Diced onion
Salsa or pico de gallo
Guacamole or sliced avocado
Lime wedges

These carnitas are also amazing in burrito bowls, quesadillas, or piled onto nachos.

Tips for the Best Carnitas

Bone-in pork shoulder gives the best flavor and texture
Real sugar cola makes a big difference
For crispy carnitas, broil the shredded pork on a sheet pan for 5–7 minutes

Final Thoughts

These Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas deliver that slow-roasted, traditional flavor with none of the overnight oven time. Easy, comforting, and completely taco-worthy—this is one recipe you’ll want on repeat.

Enjoy! 🌮

Love Tacos?? Try these yummy recipes: