Crispy Slow Cooker Carnitas

  • 8
  • 310 mins

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 (4-5 pound) lean boneless pork roast, excess fat trimmed, cut into 3-inch chunks
  • 1 cup beer (or chicken broth)
  • 1 large white onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chipotle powder (or 1 chipotle in adobo sauce, minced)
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

Preparation

Step 1

Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the pork and sear on each side until browned (about 2 minutes per side). Transfer pork to the slow cooker.

Stir in the remaining ingredients and cover. Cook on low for 5-8 hours until the pork is completely tender and shreds easily. Shred all of the meat with tongs or a fork.

Once the pork has finished cooking, heat your broiler to high. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the pork to the prepared baking sheet, spreading it in a single layer. Reserve the liquid in the slow cooker.

Place the pork under the broiler for about 5 minutes, or until the edges begin to crisp. Use tongs to toss the pork, then ladle about ¼ cup of broth over the pork. Continue broiling for another 5 minutes, or until the edges are nice and crispy. Ladle another ¼ cup of broth over the pork and serve immediately.

I usually only broil as much as we're going to eat that night and then freeze or refrigerate the rest. When I cook from frozen, I thaw in the refrigerator and then broil as directed once it's thawed. You can broil all of it (you'll need two baking sheets) and then freeze, if desired.