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    Pork Carnitas (Slow Cooker or Instant Pot)

    Pork Carnitas (Slow Cooker or Instant Pot)

    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 hours
    Total: 5 hours 10 minutes
    Servings: 8 

    Ingredients
    4-5 pounds pork shoulder
    2 Tablespoons chili powder
    1 Tablespoon dried oregano
    4 teaspoons ground cumin
    2-3 teaspoons salt, or more to taste
    1-1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
    4 teaspoons garlic, minced
    2 onions, roughly chopped
    juice from 2 large oranges
    juice from 2 limes

    Instructions
       Trim and discard excess fat from the pork.
       In a small bowl, combine chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper. Generously season the pork on all sides.
       Place the pork in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add garlic, chopped onions, orange juice, and lime juice.
       Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours.
       Remove pork from the slow cooker and shred the meat with 2 forks. Taste and add more seasonings and salt and pepper, if needed.
       Optional: Place the meat on a baking sheet and broil it for 2-3 minutes until the edges are crispy.
       For tacos, serve warm inside warm corn tortillas with your favorite toppings.  

    Notes
    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

     Instant Pot: Prepare and season the pork the same, inside the instant pot. Add an additional cup of water or chicken broth to the pot. Cook on Manual/High pressure for 70 minutes. When timer beeps, allow the pot to naturally release pressure, about 15 minutes longer. Remove lid and shred the meat. Broil if desired.

    Make Ahead Instructions: Add everything to the pot, cover and refrigerate for 1-2 days before cooking (depending on the freshness of your ingredients).

    Freezing Instructions: Allow the pork to cool completely, then store in a freezer safe container or bag for up to 4 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. To rewarm, spread the meat on a baking sheet with a little of the juice and reheat at 400 degrees F until warm, about 10-15 minutes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 230kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 28g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 93mg, Sodium: 723mg, Potassium: 589mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 1g,Vitamin A: 629IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 58mg, Iron: 3mg

    Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

     


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