Tried and tested yummy recipe for succulent pork strips that are melt-in-your-mouth delicious and perfect for making your Tacos or Burritos – Chipotle Copycat Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas.
This week we relocated to New Haven, Connecticut, and left Holland, Michigan, our home for 10 wonderful years. It was bittersweet.
While we are excited to start a new chapter in our life as a family, it is truly sad to leave behind a place that was truly our first home after we got married. There were so many memories both
sweet and sad that made our stay in Holland truly memorable.
For this post, I won’t dwell on this so much as I will make another one – pure reflections on the 10 years we had in Michigan.
This particular post is more like our regular foodie post though I write this in honor of our church family and friends from Harbor Church who came over to help us move.
Going through all the stress of moving, we were carried through by the unselfish dedication we got from our friends who took the time to help us pack our stuff into boxes and eventually loading them into a huge trailer for hauling.
We didn’t want to just make them help us without rewarding them with some yummy food so I made this delicious Slow Cooker Carnitas.
You may think, it’s crazy for me to cook while we were in the midst of a big move. But that is exactly what I did and because this is such a super easy recipe (just dump it all in the crockpot), it was no trouble at all.
I am glad they all totally enjoyed it. So whether you are planning a big move yourself or just need an easy-peasy recipe that can feed and truly please a crowd – I highly suggest that you try this. This is now a favorite for all our future gatherings with family and friends.
Proof that this recipe is amazing – Taste of Home actually featured and published this in their magazine and also posted this online. It received good reviews and was enjoyed by those who tried the recipe. Here’s the link if you wish to see it.
FOR FULL RECIPE & INSTRUCTIONS and to PRINT, SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW.
NOTES ON INGREDIENTS FOR Chipotle Copycat Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas.
- Pork Shoulder Blade Roast (Boston Butt) – cook the Boston Butt as is (the entire roast left whole) or chop into smaller pieces for easy shredding later.
- Onions – chopped
- Tomato Salsa – Choose the heat level you prefer. I use Trader Joe’s brand but feel free to use your favorite.
- Garlic powder
- Ground Cumin
- Dried Oregano
- Whole Cloves
- Bay leaves
- Orange Juice or Water – juice gives it extra sweetness which works so well with the meat so use it if you have some.
- Salt
- Freshly ground black Pepper
HOW TO COOKE Chipotle Copycat Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas.
Place the onions at the bottom of the slow cooker.
Place the pork roast on top and add the rest of the ingredients.
Cook on low for 8-10 hours or 5 hours on high (length of time depends on your slow cooker).
Shred the meat. Serve with either soft or crunchy tacos with some salsa, chopped cilantro, cheese or sour cream on the side! Perfect for any gathering!
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Chipotle Copycat Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
Ingredients
- 2 Onions, chopped
- 6-7 lbs Pork Shoulder Blade Roast or Boston Butt
- ½ cup Tomato Salsa (heat level of your choice)
- 1 ½ tsp Garlic powder
- 2 tsp ground Cumin
- 2 tsp dried Oregano
- 4 whole Cloves
- 3 Bay leaves
- 1¼ cup Orange Juice or Water (orange juice is better so use that if you have it at hand)
- 3 tsp Salt, or to taste
- 2 teaspoons freshly ground black Pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- Place the chopped onions at the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Place the pork roast on top and add the rest of the ingredients.
- Cook on low for 8-10 hours or 5 hours on high (length of time depends on your slow cooker). If you’re chopping the roast into smaller pieces before adding into the slow cooker, check for doneness at 5-6 hours.
- Shred the meat. Serve with either soft or crunchy tacos with some salsa, chopped cilantro, cheese or sour cream on the side! Perfect for any gathering!
Notes
Last updated on September 7th, 2023 at 11:02 am
Congratulations on your move! This post reminds me I have to use my slow cooker more often, the meals are always so comforting, I'm sure it was nice to have a home cooked heal in the midst of your move!
Yes, it truly was. I hope you enjoy this and thank you so much for stopping by. 🙂
This looks delish!
Thanks, Amy! I hope you get to try it. 🙂
This looks fantastic!
I hope Connecticut is still treating you well! I'm sure this recipe came in handy during the long winter – it looks amazing! I'm a big fan of Chipotle.
Good luck with your move! I grew up in Connecticut (farther north of New Haven) but know that there is a lot to do in the New Haven area – plus you are now so close to New York City! Carnitas are one of my all-time favorites – I've got to try your recipe!
Oh, how we love Chipotle and the carnitas is my favorite! Great recipe, Abby. Good luck in your new home 🙂
I love Chipotle and making burrito rice bowls. Must try this!
Tomorrow we take our cockapoo, Mitzie, back to the vet to have her reevaluated since she was diagnosed with heart failure. She's on 4 meds now. We are sad, but she's given us much love over the 9 1/2 yrs…to the point lol , this is a great recipe to place in the crock pot as we don't know how long we will be at the vet and last week, she was there all day, with us not stopping for take out, but I threw together a quick dinner instead. Now I am planning! AND I actually have a pork butt that I didn't freeze from the market a few days ago which needs to be used or frozen. Thank you!
Oh sorry to hear about Mitzie and hope all goes well at the vet. Hope you enjoy this dish as well! Take care!