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slow cooker pork carnitas
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Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

Love having the house smell incredibly delicious? Then this recipe is for you. Make this foolproof slow cooker pork carnitas recipe today to experience the most delicious, tender pork imaginable.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time6 hours
Total Time6 hours 10 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican, Southwest
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 786kcal
Author: Scott Groth

Ingredients

For the Pork Carnitas

  • 4.5 Lbs Boneless Country Pork Ribs
  • 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • ½ Teaspoon Kosher Salt
  • ¼ Teaspoon Black Pepper
  • 1 Spanish Onion Sliced
  • 2 Cloves Garlic
  • 1 Jar Frontera Tomatillo Salsa 16 oz
  • 1 Can Mild Diced Chilis 7 oz
  • 2 Tablespoons Chipotle Powder
  • 2 Jalapeno Peppers Sliced
  • 2 Anaheim Chili Peppers Sliced

For the Salad

  • 1 Box Arugula
  • ½ Red Onion Pickled
  • ½ Cup Crumbled Feta
  • 1 Tomato Diced
  • 2 Tablespoons Cilantro

For the Salad Dressing

  • 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 1 Tablespoon Chipotle Tabasco
  • 1 Pinch Salt
  • 1 Tablespoon Lime Juice

Instructions

  • Add the sliced onions and peppers to the slow cooker.
    slow cooker pork carnitas
  • Using a heavy bottom skillet large enough to fit the boneless country pork ribs, heat the olive oil until it shimmers in the pan.
  • While the pan is heating, coat the pork with the salt and pepper. If it looks scant, add more salt and pepper.
  • Brown the pork on both sides and place on the peppers and onions. Deglaze the pan with ¼ cup water and pour over the pork.
    slow cooker pork carnitas
  • Pour the Tomatillo Salsa over the top of the pork. Add the chipotle powder next and top with the small can of salsa verde. 
    slow cooker pork carnitas
  • Cover the slow cooker, turn on and set the timer for six hours.
  • After six hours, it should look and smell delicious.
    slow cooker pork carnitas
  • Remove the pork with tongs and place on a cutting board. Using two forks, simply pull the pork apart against the grain.
    slow cooker pork carnitas

For the Chipotle Lime Salad Dressing

  • Mix all the salad dressing ingredients together. If you would like to emulsify with an immersion blender, that works too.

For the Salad

  • In individual bowls, add the arugula and about a tablespoon of the dressing. Mix well.
  • Add on some shredded pork and the other toppings as you would like. Garnish with cilantro and a squeeze of lime.

Notes

Please keep in mind that the calorie count and other nutrition information for this recipe is simply for the slow cooker pork carnitas, not the whole salad.
There are a lot of other wonderful toppings for this salad:
  • Sliced black olives
  • Mashed or sliced avocados
  • Guacamole
  • Sauteed Bell Peppers
  • Sauteed Onions
  • Grilled Corn cut off the cob
If you are adding the pork directly from the slow cooker on the salad, you should expect the arugula to wilt a little. Although it is a hearty green, it doesn't like heat. I let the pork cool on the cutting board for a bit.
Looking for something to do with the stuff left in the slow cooker? Perfect. Go ahead and strain out the cooking liquids from the solids. Pour some of the cooking liquid over the shredded pork to keep it nice and juicy. Add the solids to a blender or immersion blender. Blend. Add in some sour cream, salt and pepper. Taste and enjoy. It's gonna be good!

Nutrition

Calories: 786kcal