Name: Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 3-4 pounds boneless pork butt roast, trimmed of excess fat and cut into large chunks; 1 white or yellow onion, peeled and quartered; 3 (2-inch) strips orange zest (see note above); 1/3-1/2 cup orange juice; 3 (2-inch) strips lime zest (see note above); 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice; 5 garlic cloves, finely minced; 1 tablespoon ground cumin; 1 tablespoon dried oregano; 2 teaspoons salt; 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper; 2 bay leaves; Side dish:; taco rice

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

Tags: Crock Pot Dinner Mexican Morning Prep Pork

Yield: 8

Ingredients

3-4 pounds boneless pork butt roast, trimmed of excess fat and cut into large chunks
1 white or yellow onion, peeled and quartered
3 (2-inch) strips orange zest (see note above)
1/3-1/2 cup orange juice
3 (2-inch) strips lime zest (see note above)
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
5 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
2 bay leaves

Side dish:

taco rice

Steps

Place the pork in the bottom of a 4- or 5-quart slow cooker. Add the onion, orange zest, orange juice, lime zest, lime juice, garlic, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper and bay leaves. Turn the pork pieces a bit so the spices are evenly distributed.
Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours (or high for 5 to 7 hours).
Using a slotted spoon, remove the pork from the slow cooker to a 9X13-inch or similar-sized oven-safe pan. Use two forks to shred the pork.
Pour everything (solids and liquid) from the slow cooker into a strainer set over a bowl to catch the liquid. Discard the solids and reserve the liquid.
To crisp the edges of the pork (this is optional but delicious), preheat the broiler to high and position an oven rack about 6-8 inches away from the heating element. Pour about 1 cup of the reserved liquid over the pork in the pan. Broil the pork (watching closely!) for a couple minutes until it is brown and crispy in spots. Give the pork a good stir/turn and broil again until some of the edges crisp up a bit. You still want the pork to be nice and tender so don't overcook it here - and keep an eye on it as a broiler can take food from beautifully browned to burned in seconds.
Season the pork with salt and pepper to taste and transfer to a serving plate or platter, if desired. Use additional liquid from the slow cooker to moisten the pork as needed. Serve with lime wedges, tortillas, fresh cilantro and other toppings of your choice.