Slow Cooker Chipotle Pork Carnitas Recipe (Copycat)
Sep 12, 2024, Updated Sep 29, 2024
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Copycat Chipotle Pork Carnitas Recipe: This is a wonderful way to create flavorful, tender shredded pork that’s perfect for tacos, burritos, or rice bowls. It’s one of those easy meals everyone loves! And it tastes even better than the restaurant!
You will also love my other Chipotle copycat recipes: Chipotle Salsa and Pollo Asado.
Why you’ll love this recipe…
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:
- 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 our famous pot roast and perfect pork tenderloin recipe next! if you love Mexican recipes, you will also enjoy this Copycat Chipotle Hot Salsa Recipe!
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
- Pork Butt Roast: This cut is well-marbled and becomes incredibly tender after slow cooking. 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.
- Bay Leaves: Infuse the pork with their herbal, slightly floral aroma, adding complexity to the flavor profile.
- Fresh Thyme: Provides an earthy, slightly minty taste that complements the savory notes of the pork.
- Juniper Berries: Juniper berries bring a pine-like, peppery flavor with hints of citrus. Helps cut through the richness of the pork. You can find them at most grocery stores or order them on Amazon.
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Chipotle Carnitas (Step-By-Step Instructions)
This slow-roasted chipotle pork is surprisingly easy to make with just a few ingredients and a few simple steps. See the printable recipe card for more details.
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.
Shred the meat with a fork.
Toast the meat in oil for extra flavor and texture.
These carnitas combine bold, balanced flavors in an easy-to-follow method, giving you perfectly seasoned, crispy, and tender pork carnitas every time. Whether it’s for a family dinner, Super Bowl party, game day, or a special gathering, these carnitas will surely impress!
Substitutions
- Pork Butt Roast: Pork Shoulder: Another fatty, flavorful cut that will yield tender, shreddable meat. Beef Chuck Roast: For a different protein with similar cooking characteristics. Chicken Thighs: Bone-in, skinless thighs can offer a leaner alternative while still providing rich flavor.
- Juniper Berries: Orange Juice: Adds a sweet and tangy note. Apple Cider Vinegar: Offers a tart, fruity flavor that contrasts well with the pork. Rosemary: Adds a woody, evergreen flavor similar to juniper.
- Bay Leaves: Dried Thyme: Gives an herbal aroma that pairs nicely with pork. Oregano: Has a similar earthy taste.
Variations
Enjoy your chipotle carnitas recipe in a variety of ways:
- Spicy Chipotle Carnitas:
- Add chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for a smoky, spicy kick. Blend a couple of peppers into the cooking liquid or add whole to the slow cooker.
- Coffee-Rubbed Carnitas:
- Make a spice rub with ground coffee, brown sugar, smoked paprika, and other spices. Massage it onto the pork before searing and slow cooking.
How to Store Leftovers
To store your carnitas, let the meat cool completely. Transfer it 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.
My Pro Tip
Recipe Tips
- Sear for Flavor: Browning the 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.
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!
Pork butt (or shoulder) is commonly used due to its marbling and connective tissue, which break down during slow cooking, resulting in tender, juicy meat.
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.
Reheat in a covered skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth or juice to keep them moist. You can also microwave covered with a damp paper towel.
Mexican Recipes
Looking for other Mexican-inspired recipes? Try these:
Serving Suggestions
Serve carnitas with refried beans, black beans, red onions, and tortilla chips, or use the pulled pork for pork sandwiches.
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Print
Chipotle Carnitas Copycat (slow cooker)
- Total Time: 8-10 hours
- Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
Description
Copycat Chipotle Pork Carnitas Recipe: This is a wonderful way to create a flavorful, tender shredded pork that’s perfect for tacos, burritos, or rice bowls. One of those easy meals everyone loves! P.S it tastes even better than the restaurant!
Ingredients
- 1 (3 1/2 to 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.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 8-10 hours (low)
- Category: Savory
- Method: Mexican
- Cuisine: American
My family voted these as the “best carnitas ever!”. They are perfect for a crowd and make great leftovers.