Weight Watchers Crockpot Pork Carnitas

This healthy Weight Watchers Crockpot Pork Carnitas Recipe is a healthy Carnitas recipe that’s perfect for those on WW, and the entire family will love it. Instant Pot instructions are in this post, as well.

I love a set it and forget it meal, and this one is no exception. With just 10 minutes of prep time, this is a perfect recipe to add to your slow cooker in the morning for busy weeknights.

Use the carnitas for burrito bowls, tacos, or even eat it by itself. I love using it to fill mini bell peppers as a snack.

Where’s the recipe?

Here at My Crazy Good Life we write our recipes so that anyone can follow them. The post below has detailed instructions, recipe tips, and Weight Watchers point information.

If you’d like to skip past the ingredient details, recipe tips, and nutrition & diet information, simply scroll down to the bottom where you’ll find the easy to print this Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas recipe!

Ingredients in Weight Watchers Carnitas

• Pork tenderloin: look for the leanest pork loin you can find.
• Green chili salsa: find a salsa with the fewest ingredients.
• Diced tomatoes with green chilies: I buy the Rotel brand. If you can’t find this, just grab a can of diced tomatoes. 
• Onion: Cut into thick slices, any color will do.
• Bay leaves: If you’ve never used these before, it’s important to note that you will be removing these when the meat is cooked–place these right on top for easy access.
• Cayenne pepper
• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Optional: Fresh limes for lime juice, sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, and salsa or pico de gallo.

Serve with (don’t forget to count these!):

• brown rice
• black beans
• diced red onion
• fresh cilantro
• taco shell or tortillas

How to make Carnitas in the Crock Pot

1. Slice one onion into thick slices and line the bottom of your slow cooker with them. Dice the other onion and set aside.
2. Place the pork tenderloin on top of the onion and sprinkle your spices (and place your bay leaves) on top of the pork.
3. Pour ½ bottle of salsa, entire can of diced tomatoes and green chilies, and diced onions on and around the pork.
4. Cook on low for 5-8 hours, depending on the size of your tenderloin.
5. When the cook time has finished, remove and shred pork.
6. Place the shredded pork back into the slow cooker to stay warm and soak up the seasonings.
7. Serve with the remaining bottle of green chili salsa, warm flour or corn tortillas, diced onion, and sour cream.

How to make Carnitas in the Instant Pot

These directions will work for any electric pressure cooker.

1. Slice one onion into thick slices and place on the bottom of your Instant Pot insert. Dice the other onion and set it aside.
2. Place pork tenderloin on top of the onion and sprinkle your spices (and place your bay leaves) on top of the pork.
3. Pour ½ bottle of salsa, entire can of Rotel, and diced onions on and around the pork.
4. Close the kids to your pot and turn the pressure valve to Sealing.
5. Pressure cook on high pressure for 15 minutes (I did this for a 2 pound tenderloin-if your tenderloin is larger, I’d add cooking time).
6. When cooking time has finished, let the pressure naturally release for 15 minutes. This means leave the pot and Sealing valve alone for 15 minutes and allow it to naturally release the pressure. After 15 minutes, turn the valve to Venting and allow the rest of the steam to release.
7. When the steam is out of the pot, open the lid and remove the pork from the Instant Pot. Shred the meat using two forks, a mixer, or tongs. 
8. Place the pulled pork back into the Instant Pot to keep warm and continue soaking up the incredible flavor.

Recipe Tips

• You can use pork butt or pork shoulder roast, but be sure to recalculate your points and nutrition info as tenderloin is typically a leaner cut than those two. Also, you’ll want to cook the roast for longer.
• If you’re looking for crispy carnitas, sear the pork on all sides for a few minutes using a hot skillet and olive oil, avocado oil or cooking spray, then transfer to your slow cooker. If you want even more crunchy bits of pork, place the cooked and shredded pork on a baking sheet and add about 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid. Broil for 1-2 minutes or until browned, then flip with tongs, add more liquid, and repeat.
• I calculate all of my WW recipes on the Weight Watchers website using their recipe creator. If you change any of the ingredients or amounts listed in this recipe it will change the points calculations, so you’ll want to recalculate. I recommend using ingredients instead of nutrition information for the most accurate points.

Weight Watchers Points Per Serving

• 2 pound pork tenderloin = 8 servings
• 2 Blue Plan Points | 2 Green Plan Points | 2 Purple Plan Points | 2022/2023 Points: 2
• If you add sour cream, a reduced fat variety is 2 extra points per tablespoon

More Weight Watchers Crock Pot Recipes

• Weight Watchers Tuscan Chicken Pasta
• Easy Crock Pot Pork Chops with Pears
• WW Homemade Hamburger Helper
• Weight Watchers Beef Stroganoff
• Healthy White Chicken Chili
• WW Egg Roll in a Bowl

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Weight Watchers Crockpot Pork Carnitas

Created by: Becca Ludlum

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 6 hours hrs

Resting Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 6 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Approximate Serving Size: 1/4 pound

Servings 8 servings

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Weight Watchers Crockpot Pork Carnitas are so easy and delicious! Use them for tacos, burritos, or bowls! Instant Pot directions included.

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Equipment

• Crockpot
• Kitchen Knife
• Cutting Board

Ingredients 

• ▢ 2 onion sliced
• ▢ 2 lbs pork tenderloin Ours was about 2 pounds
• ▢ ½ cup green chile salsa
• ▢ ½ cup green chile salsa
• ▢ 1 can Rotel: diced tomatoes and green chiles
• ▢ 2 bay leaves
• ▢ 2 tsp cayenne pepper
• ▢ 2 tsp chili powder
• ▢ ½ tsp ground cumin

Instructions

Crockpot Directions:

• 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 onion
• Place pork tenderloin on top of the onions and sprinkle your spices (and place bay leaves) on the pork. 2 lbs pork tenderloin, 2 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 2 bay leaves
• Pour 1/2 bottle of salsa, entire can of Rotel, and diced onions on and around pork. 1 can Rotel: diced tomatoes and green chiles, 1/2 cup green chile salsa
• Cook on low for 5-8 hours, depending on the size of your tenderloin.
• When the cook time has finished, remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it. 
• Place the shredded pork back into the slow cooker to stay warm and soak up the seasoning.
• Serve with the remaining bottle of green chile salsa, warm flour or corn tortillas, diced onion, and sour cream. 1/2 cup green chile salsa

Instant Pot Directions:

• Slice one onion into thick slices and place on the bottom of your Instant Pot insert. Dice the other onion and set aside for topping. 2 onion
• Place pork tenderloin on top of the onion and sprinkle your spices (and place your bay leaves) on top of the pork. 2 lbs pork tenderloin, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 2 tsp chili powder, 2 tsp cayenne pepper, 2 bay leaves
• Pour ½ bottle of salsa, entire can of Rotel, and diced onions on and around the pork.1/2 cup green chile salsa, 1 can Rotel: diced tomatoes and green chiles
• Pressure cook on high pressure for 30 minutes (I did this for a 2 pound tenderloin).
• When cooking time has finished, let the pressure naturally release for 15 minutes.
• Remove the pork from the Instant Pot and shred it. 
• Place the shredded pork back into the Instant Pot to keep warm and soak up the seasoning.

Video

Notes

Weight Watchers Points Per Serving

2 pound pork tenderloin = 8 servings

2 Blue Plan Points | 2 Green Plan Points | 2 Purple Plan Points | 2 Points on 2022/2023 Plan

 

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 172kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 279mg | Potassium: 661mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 625IU | Vitamin C: 8.3mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1.8mg

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Make sure to follow on Pinterest @bludlum and on Instagram @beccaludlum