Slow Cooker Chipotle Carnitas
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These tender, Slow Cooker Chipotle Carnitas are packed with bold, smoky flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture. Made effortlessly in the slow cooker, the pork turns juicy and perfectly shreddable with hints of citrus and spice. Better than takeout and incredibly easy, it’s the perfect filling for tacos, burritos, or bowls.
You will also love my other Chipotle copycat recipes: Chipotle Salsa and Pollo Asado.
Quick Look: Slow Cooker Chipotle Carnitas
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 hours
- Total Time: 10 hours and 10 minutes
- Servings: 10 people
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free and Dairy-free
- Method: Slow cooker & Stove Top or Oven
- Technique: Season pork with spices, citrus, and chipotle, then cook low and slow until tender and easy to shred. Finish by crisping the shredded pork in a hot skillet or under the broiler for caramelized edges.
- Flavor and Texture: Smoky, savory, and slightly tangy with juicy, fall-apart tender meat and crispy, caramelized edges.
What Makes This Recipe So Crave-Worthy
If you’ve ever had the mouthwatering carnitas at Chipotle, this is the best copycat recipe that you can make at home for much less. You’ll love this flavorful pork roast:
- Unmatched Flavor: The combination of aromatic herbs and spices, such as bay leaves, thyme, and juniper berries (or orange juice), gives the pork an irresistible complexity. The browning step adds a layer of caramelization, deepening the flavor.
- Incredible Tenderness: Using a pork butt roast and cooking it slowly ensures that the meat becomes incredibly tender and juicy. The low and slow method renders the fat perfectly, creating a rich and succulent texture. Once slow-cooked, the pork becomes tender and flavorful, perfect for shredding and crisping to achieve that iconic carnitas texture.
Try my Jalapeno Corn Dip and Shrimp Ceviche next!
Made With Amore,
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
These are the key ingredients that come together to create this bold, flavorful carnitas recipe.
- Pork Butt Roast: This cut is well-marbled and becomes incredibly tender after slow cooking. This is easily one of the best cuts of pork—its fat adds flavor and keeps the meat juicy.
- Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: These seasonings enhance the natural flavors of the pork and give it a simple but effective seasoning base.
- Olive Oil: Adds a subtle, fruity flavor while providing a medium for browning the pork before slow cooking, which develops a deeper flavor.
- Water: Creates steam during the cooking process, helping the pork stay moist and tender while cooking.
- Aromatics (Bay Leaves, Fresh Thyme, Juniper Berries): Infuse the pork with herbal, earthy, and slightly citrusy notes, adding depth and complexity to the flavor profile.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations & Substitutions
- Protein Options: Pork shoulder, beef chuck roast, or chicken thighs as alternatives to pork butt roast for tender, flavorful results. Try my Pollo Asado Recipe next!
- Flavor Variations: Orange juice or apple cider vinegar for brightness, or rosemary as a substitute for juniper berries.
- Herb Swaps: Dried thyme or oregano in place of bay leaves for a similar earthy, aromatic profile.
- Bold Twists: Add chipotle peppers in adobo for a smoky, spicy kick, or use a coffee rub with brown sugar and spices for a rich, deep flavor. You’ll like my Red Chili Salsa.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chipotle Carnitas
This slow-roasted chipotle pork is surprisingly easy to make with just a few ingredients and a few simple steps. Follow the step-by step photos and see the recipe card at the bottom for a printable version.
- Season the pork.
- Add the seasoned pork to a pot.
- Sear the meat on both sides.
- Place the meat in the crock pot and add the bay leaves, thyme, and dried juniper berries.
- Cook on low until fork tender.
- Begin shredding the meat with a fork.
- Finish shredding the meat.
- Toast the meat in oil for extra flavor and texture.
Slow Cooker Chipotle Carnitas FAQs
We use the real thing, rather than added flavors or extracts, to make our Carnitas. Before cooking, we season our pork with a blend of thyme, salt, black pepper, ground bay leaf, and cracked juniper berries, patiently waiting for the flavors to permeate the meat – because thyme, after all, is of the essence- chipotle.com. I tried to recreate this recipe to mimic the original!
Yes, slow-roast the pork at a low temperature (around 300°F) for 3-4 hours or until tender. Use a large Dutch oven pot.
To store your carnitas, let the meat cool completely. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze in portions in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop, in the oven, or in the microwave.
Serving Suggestions
Whether it’s for a family dinner, Super Bowl party, game day, or a special gathering, these carnitas will surely impress! For a full Mexican-inspired spread, start your meal with Mexican Street Corn Dip, Shrimp Ceviche with Avocado, or Charred Corn and Zucchini Salad. If you’re hosting a gathering, try serving alongside my Grilled Tri-Tip Steak with Chimichurri Sauce! Finish with a fresh dessert like Mexican Fruit Salad.
My Pro Tips
Recipe Tips
- Sear for Flavor: Browning the boneless pork in olive oil before slow cooking adds a deep caramelized flavor and helps lock in moisture.
- Don’t Skip the Aromatics: Fresh herbs, bay leaves, and other aromatics bring layers of flavor that elevate the dish.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cooking on low for 8-10 hours ensures the pork becomes tender and flavorful.
- Crisp it Up: Broil the shredded pork briefly for those signature crispy edges that make carnitas so irresistible.
More Mexican Recipes
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Chipotle Carnitas
Ingredients
- 1 3 ½-4 pound pork butt roast, fat cap trimmed leaving some on
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup water or chicken broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 sprigs of fresh thyme
- 2 teaspoons whole juniper berries
Instructions
- Prep and Sear the Pork: Season the pork generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Place the pork in the pot and cook on both sides for 4-5 minutes each or until golden brown.
- Place pork in the Slow Cooker (crock pot or instant pot): Move the seared pork to the slow cooker. Add the water, bay leaves, thyme, and juniper berries. The water helps create steam and keeps the pork moist as it cooks.
- Slow Cooking: Cover and cook on low heat for 8-10 hours or on high heat for 4-6 hours, until the pork is fork-tender. If using a thermometer, the internal temperature should be about 190°F (88°C).
- Shred the Pork: Once cooked, remove the pork from the slow cooker. Discard the bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Use two forks to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces.
- Crisp It Up (Optional): For a crispy texture, transfer the shredded pork to a baking sheet. Broil in the oven for a few minutes until the edges are golden and crisp.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the carnitas with warm tortillas, rice, salsa, or any of your favorite toppings. A squeeze of lime, fresh jalapeno slices, and some fresh cilantro can really elevate the flavor.
Notes
- Sear for Flavor: Browning the boneless pork in olive oil before slow cooking adds a deep caramelized flavor and helps lock in moisture.
- Don’t Skip the Aromatics: Fresh herbs, bay leaves, and other aromatics bring layers of flavor that elevate the dish.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cooking on low for 8-10 hours ensures the pork becomes tender and flavorful.
- Crisp it Up: Broil the shredded pork briefly for those signature crispy edges that make carnitas so irresistible.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
My family voted these as the “best carnitas ever!”. They are perfect for a crowd and make great leftovers.