Slow Cooker Keto Carnitas

These Slow Cooker Keto Carnitas are a delectably tender and savory dish that perfectly fits into a low-carb, high-fat lifestyle. Packed with flavor and easy to prepare, they're ideal for a satisfying keto-friendly meal.

Course Dinner

Cuisine Mexican

Keyword Easy Keto Dinner, keto carnitas, Keto Mexican Food, Low Carb Pork Recipe, slow cooker carnitas

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 6

Total Time 6 15

Servings servings

Calories 348kcal

Equipment

Slow cooker
Cutting board
Forks
Baking Sheet (optional)
Bowl
Whisk

Ingredients

4 pounds pork shoulder, boneless
2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp cumin
2 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp cayenne pepper
¼ cup orange juice
¼ cup lime juice
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, chopped
2 bay leaves

Instructions

Begin by patting the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Then, generously season all sides of the pork with salt, black pepper, cumin, dried oregano, and cayenne pepper.
Place the seasoned pork shoulder into the slow cooker.
In a bowl, whisk together the orange juice, lime juice, and minced garlic. Pour this mixture over the pork in the slow cooker.
Scatter the chopped onion around the pork and top with bay leaves.
Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or until the pork is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
Once the pork is cooked, transfer it to a cutting board, shred it using two forks, and remove any excess fat.
Optional: For added crispiness, spread the shredded pork on a baking sheet and broil in the oven for a few minutes until the edges are crispy.
Remove the bay leaves from the slow cooker and discard.
Serve the carnitas with your favorite keto-friendly sides or use them as a filling for low-carb tacos or lettuce wraps.

Notes

To keep this dish keto-friendly, ensure that the orange juice is fresh with no added sugars, and use it sparingly. Leftover carnitas can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for later use.

Nutrition