Crock Pot Pork Carnitas Recipe | Instant Pot Pork Carnitas

We have a few favorite family recipes, and this is one of them. We love having these slow cooker pork carnitas in tacos, and this recipe makes amazing leftover enchiladas! I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!

Ingredients needed for my pork carnitas recipe: 

You’ll need some delicious fresh ingredients for this pork carnitas recipe. Here’s the list of ingredients you’ll need and you can find the total amounts in the recipe card below! You can leave out ingredients you don’t like or add more of the ones you do enjoy, the truth is that this recipe is very versatile and flexible. 

• Fresh pork tenderloin (ours was about 2 pounds) 
• Green Chile Salsa
• Rotel
• Onions
• Bay Leaves
• Cayenne Pepper
• Chili Powder
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt, optional
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Here are some substitutions you could make / change / add to the recipe if you so desire. Remember that you’ll need to recalculate nutrition and diet info if you do! You could probably make this recipe work with pork shoulder as well. The shredded pork will have the same texture and taste after slow cooking. When you shred the meat it should fall apart relatively easily like a pork butt would after being smoked or slow cooked! 

Onion, garlic, and pico de Gallo are great toppings and flavors that will blend well with the meat. Lime juice spritzed on top is also tasty so you can serve with a wedge of lime! If you have a little extra time you can sear the meat on all sides by cooking for a few minutes on high heat with some olive oil. It will help lock in the flavors! 

Here’s how to make pork carnitas crock pot style: 

Making pork carnitas in the crock pot might not be the traditional preparation but it is one of the easiest options. I love that I can set it and forget about it for the day while I work, play, or do just about anything else! The flavors are great, the pork is tender and delicious, it’s perfection in a dish! 

1. Slice one onion into thick slices and line the bottom of your crock pot with them. Dice the other onion and set aside for a topping.

2. Place pork tenderloin on top of the onions and sprinkle your spices (and place bay leaves) on the pork.

3. Pour 1/2 bottle of salsa, entire can of Rotel, and diced onions on and around pork.

4. Cook on low for 5-8 hours, depending on the size of your tenderloin.

5. Pull pork out and shred it, then add it back into the crockpot.

6. Serve with the rest of the bottle of green chili salsa, warm flour or corn tortillas, diced onions, and sour cream.

Is this pork carnitas in the slow cooker recipe 21 Day Fix approved? 

You know I love the 21 Day Fix program so I have all the details that you need to enjoy these pork carnitas on the FIX! On the 21 Day Fix? Click here for details about this recipe. 

The 21 Day Fix version of this post has all the container counts and dietary info you’ll need to work this great recipe into your meal plan! 

Can I make these pork carnitas in the Instant Pot? 

You can! I’ve updated this post since it was originally posted to include the directions below. They’ll show you how to make this pork carnitas recipe quickly and easily in your electric pressure cooker. 

1. Add pork tenderloin and other ingredients into the Instant Pot. Pressure cook on high pressure for 8 minutes (I did this for a 2 pound tenderloin), then let pressure naturally release for 15 minutes.
2. Pull out the pork and shred it, then place it back to the Instant Pot.

Can I have this pork carnitas recipe on Weight Watchers? 

For Weight Watchers, this recipe is 3 Smart Points per serving (assuming 8 servings). If you add sour cream, a reduced fat variety is 2 extra points per serving (2 Tbsp). 

This is a great and healthy pork carnitas recipe that you can make in the slow cooker. You can also whip up a batch in the Instant Pot. I love that the carnitas are only 3 SmartPoints on the Freestyle program. Even on bad days when I’m over on points I have enough to enjoy this recipe as a filling and delicious dinner. 

Even though these pork carnitas in the slow cooker are a low points, Weight Watchers friendly recipe, the whole family loves them! There is nothing better than being able to make one simple recipe that everyone eats without any complaints. 

On Trim Healthy Mama? 

These Crockpot pork carnitas are an S recipe on THM without any needed modifications! That means you can enjoy this delicious recipe for pork carnitas crockpot style without any added steps or maneuvering. 

Are you looking for more great crockpot recipes? 

I have lots of great recipes here for Crockpot or Instant Pot recipes. Here are a bunch of our favorite Crcokpot or slow cooker recipes that I think you will enjoy. Add them to your meal plan to help take some stress out of meal times this week. 

• Crockpot Chicken for Meal Prep
• Easy Crockpot Pork Chops with Pears
• The Easiest Crockpot Chicken Fajitas
• Healthy Drunken Noodles | Instant Pot, Stovetop, Crockpot
• How To Make Crockpot Chicken Bone Broth
• Crockpot Jambalaya Recipe
• Healthy Pot Roast Recipe | Crockpot Pot Roast
• Crockpot Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting

Don’t forget to stop by our eBook store to pickup some of the inexpensive digital cookbooks with great recipes included. My Healthy Slow Cooker Meals eBook is simple to print or save, cheap, and perfect for those of you who are looking for all my best Crockpot recipes in one place.

There’s no ads, no complicated processes, and you can use the code mcglb2g1 to get one eBook free with the purchase of any two others! 

Printable Crockpot Pork Carnitas Recipe:

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Crock Pot Pork Carnitas Recipe | Instant Pot Pork Carnitas

This delicious Crock Pot Pork Carnitas recipe is a family favorite! It's easy and uses only a few ingredients, too!

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time8 hrs

Total Time8 hrs 10 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: Crockpot, instant pot, Pork Carnitas

Servings: 6 people

Calories: 411kcal

Author: Becca Ludlum

Ingredients

• 1 pork tenderloin Smithfield fresh (we purchased ours at Walmart, it was about 2 pounds)
• 8 oz Green Chile Salsa
• 1 can Rotel
• 2 Onions
• 2 Bay Leaves
• 2 t Cayenne Pepper
• 2 t Chili Powder

Salt and Pepper to taste

Optional - Sour cream

Instructions

• Slice one onion into thick slices and line the bottom of your crock pot with them. Dice the other onion and set aside for a topping.
• Place pork tenderloin on top of the onions and sprinkle your spices (and place bay leaves) on the pork.
• Pour 1/2 bottle of salsa, entire can of Rotel, and diced onions on and around pork.
• Cook on low for 5-8 hours, depending on the size of your tenderloin.
• Pull pork out and shred it, then add it back into the crockpot.Serve with the rest of the bottle of green chile salsa, warm flour or corn tortillas, diced onions, and sour cream.

Instant Pot Directions:

• Add pork tenderloin and other ingredients into the Instant Pot. Pressure cook on high pressure for 8 minutes (I did this for a 2 pound tenderloin), then let pressure naturally release for 15 minutes.
• Pull out the pork and shred it, then place it back to the Instant Pot.

Video

Notes

For Weight Watchers, this recipe is 3 Smart Points per serving (assuming 8 servings). If you add sour cream, a reduced fat variety is 2 extra points per serving (2 Tbsp). 

 

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 411kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 63g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 196mg | Sodium: 452mg | Potassium: 1476mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 835IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 3.9mg

Tried this recipe?Take a pic and tag @beccaludlum or #mycrazygoodlife to be featured!

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