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shredded cuban pork over rice and tortillas with pico de gallo
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5 from 94

Slow Cooker Cuban Pork

Seasoned perfectly and slow cooked until the meat shreds effortlessly, this cuban-style pork is so flavorful and marvelous served so many different ways!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time8 hours
Total Time8 hours 10 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: cuban pork recipe, slow cooker cuban pork, slow cooker recipes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1/2 cup lime juice
  • 1 & 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 pound boneless pork shoulder roast
  • 1 small sweet onion , sliced thin
  • 6 cloves garlic , peeled and smashed
  • 1 dried bay leaf

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, orange juice, lime juice, and all the seasonings.
    mojo sauce in mixing bowl
  • Make slits in a 3 pound boneless pork shoulder roast with a paring knife and rub liberally all over with the oil mixture.
  • Place pork in a 6 quart greased slow cooker, along with the sliced onions, peeled and smashed garlic cloves, and a dried bay leaf.
    uncooked pork shoulder in crockpot with sliced onions
  • Pour the remaining juices from the bowl over the pork. (At this point, IF time permits, cover the insert with everything in it and transfer to the fridge overnight. In the morning, let it warm slightly on the counter and proceed to cook.)
    mojo sauce being poured over uncooked pork shoulder in crockpot
  • Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until an internal temperature of 202-205 degrees F is reached and the pork pulls apart easily.
    cooked cuban pork in crockpot
  • Transfer pork to a cutting board and let cool slightly. Using tongs or forks, shred into thick chunks.
    shredded pork carnitas on cutting board
  • You can enjoy as is or take it a step further by crisping it up in a pan, which is recommended! To pan fry, warm a tablespoon of oil in a nonstick skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Working in batches to avoid over-crowding, spread the pork in the pan in an even layer, drizzling with some of the juices. Once the juice evaporates and the bottom of the pork is golden and crispy, sear it quickly on the other side and then remove from the skillet. You want it browned all over, but not dry.
    shredded pork carnitas in skillet
  • Serve as desired. We love it with pickled red onion or pico de gallo on corn or small flour tortillas, served with my cilantro lime rice.
    shredded cuban pork over rice and tortillas with pico de gallo
  • Note: More serving suggestions, proper storage, helpful tips, and alternative cooking methods in the oven and IP are included in the full article.

Nutrition

Calories: 60kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 442mg | Potassium: 116mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 66IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg