With only about 10 minutes of hands-on preparation, this carnitas recipe is perfect for busy days, meal prep or feeding a crowd. Serve the shredded pork in tacos, burritos, quesadillas and rice bowls-or eat those crispy little pieces straight from the baking sheet. I won’t judge.

Traditional carnitas are slowly cooked in rendered pork fat. This slow cooker version takes a practical home-cook approach, using the pork’s own fat and flavorful cooking juices to keep the meat tender before it is quickly broiled for crispy edges.

⭐️ Why you’ll love this pork carnitas recipe?

Easy: The slow cooker does most of the work, with only about 10 minutes of preparation.
Flavor: Beer, fresh citrus, garlic and warm spices season the pork as it slowly cooks.
Texture: Pork shoulder becomes fall-apart tender, while broiling creates browned, crispy edges.
Meal Prep: Carnitas can be prepared ahead of time and stored in their cooking juices until ready to crisp and serve.
Versatile: Use the pork carnitas in tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, salads or rice bowls.
Budget-Friendly: Pork shoulder is an economical cut that can feed a family or a larger gathering.
Dietary: Contains pork. Dairy-free, egg-free and nut-free. To make it gluten-free, replace the beer with certified gluten-free beer or chicken broth.

🔎 What Are Carnitas?

Carnitas means “little meats” in Spanish. This traditional Mexican dish originated in Michoacán and is typically made by slowly cooking pork until exceptionally tender, with browned or crisp edges.

Recipes and cooking methods vary by region and from one cook to another. This slow cooker adaptation uses pork shoulder, beer, citrus, garlic and spices. Once the pork is tender, it is shredded and quickly broiled, creating an irresistible combination of juicy meat and golden, crispy edges.

✔️ Ingredients Substitutions and Swaps

For the complete list of ingredients and exact quantities, check the printable recipe card below.

Pork Shoulder: Boneless pork shoulder, pork butt or Boston butt has enough fat and connective tissue to become juicy and tender during slow cooking. Avoid lean cuts such as pork loin or pork tenderloin, which can become dry and do not shred the same way.
Mexican Beer: A mild Mexican lager or pilsner adds flavor without overwhelming the pork. Avoid strongly bitter or heavily hopped beer. For an alcohol-free or gluten-free option, substitute chicken broth or stock.
Orange Juice: Fresh orange juice adds a subtle sweetness that balances the savory pork and warm spices. Freshly squeezed juice offers the brightest flavor, but bottled orange juice can be used when needed.
Lime Juice: Fresh lime juice adds acidity and balances the richness of the pork. Freshly squeezed...

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