How to Make Slow Cooker Carnitas

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Mix the dry ingredients to form the rub.

   Feel free to skip this step, if you're not a garlic fanatic, as there will already be garlic powder in the rub.
   
   Alternatively, substitute onion for the garlic. , This is to increase surface area for the rub.
   
   Don't cut it completely into chunks, though.
   
   The reason you want the pork to stay whole is so it doesn't fall apart too much before you get it out of the liquid later. , You can stab the pork with a knife to make additional holes to push the garlic into.
   
   Ignore this, if you're not a garlic fiend, or use onion. ,, Pour the chicken broth around the pork.
   
   Be careful not to rinse the rub off. ,,,, Spread the meat out in a thin layer with some of the liquid from the slow cooker. , Most of the liquid should evaporate.
   
   This will crisp the exterior of the meat, mimicking traditional carnitas which are fried in lard. ,,,,,,,,, Make a cilantro lime rice with butter, layer it with seasoned pinto beans, the carnitas, fresh homemade salsa, fresh chopped lettuce, shredded Jack cheese, and sour cream. ,, Or, wrap them in parchment or put into containers and put them in the freezer.
   
   Put it in the microwave or oven to defrost and enjoy.
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   Step 2: Cut garlic into small chunks.

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   Step 3: Make deep cuts in the pork shoulder.

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   Step 4: Rub the pork with the dry mix

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   Step 5: then shove garlic into all the nooks and crannies.

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   Step 6: Put two bay leaves in the bottom of the slow cooker.

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   Step 7: Put the pork on top of the bay leaves.

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   Step 8: Cook on low for ten hours.

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   Step 9: Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred with two forks.

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    Step 10: Moisten the meat as needed using the liquid in the slow cooker

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    Step 11: or make the sauce

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    Step 12: below.

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    Step 13: Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil.

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    Step 14: Bake for 15-20 minutes at 400 °F (204 °C).

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    Step 15: Let the liquid cool.

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    Step 16: Skim the fat off the top.

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    Step 17: Boil the broth down to concentrate the flavor.

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    Step 18: Add 1/4 cup of chili sauce (red pepper sauce) and 2 tablespoons of sugar.

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    Step 19: Let diners add sauce as they like

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    Step 20: or you pour the sauce over the whole pork serving dish.

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    Step 21: Roll the meat in flour tortillas and sprinkle with jack cheese and chopped tomatoes.

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    Step 22: serve with tortillas

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    Step 23: tomatillo salsa

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    Step 24: Mexican crumbly cheese

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    Step 25: chopped tomatoes and onions (or pico de gallo)

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    Step 26: and sour cream to allow each diner to fill and roll their own tortillas.

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    Step 27: Serve with rice and beans.

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    Step 28: Make a "Burrito Bowl" as sold in Chipotle and Qdoba restaurants.

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    Step 29: Serve as a gluten-free or low-carb dish: place carnitas on a bed of sliced

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    Step 30: sauteed (stir fried) bell peppers and onions (cooked enough to caramelize it

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    Step 31: if you like)

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    Step 32: with a small amount of shredded

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    Step 33: low fat

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    Step 34: pepper jack cheese and some sour cream or plain yogurt.

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    Step 35: To save the meat for later: Place it in muffin tins in the freezer until they harden (don't store it too long or you risk freezer burn).

Detailed Guide

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