Slow Cooker Beef Carnitas could not be easier. In the morning, add a roast and some spices to your slow cooker and by dinner you will have the most tender and flavorful dinner waiting for you!
Mexican food is one of my favorite foods of all time. When we go out for Mexican I order something that I either can’t make at home or that takes lots of effort to make at home. Justin and Carson always orders carnitas. I admit they are yummy, but I can make them at home so easily. Justin even admitted after he ordered carnitas last time that he wasn’t going to order them anymore. He said they are just as good, or better, at home!
I always use a fairly good sized roast. Then I have the meat already made for a few nights during the week. The first day, I usually serve the meat on a tortilla shell with all the fixings. Later in the week the Beef Carnitas reappear as nachos, quesadillas, in a tortilla soup, as a “carnitas” salad or even again as on tortilla shells! I’m telling you, once you have meat already made in the fridge, you have dinner in the bag! These Beef Carnitas are so versatile your family won’t even notice you are feeding them the same thing over and over!
If you like the cook once and eat it three or four times theory, these beef carnitas are for you! Especially since they begin in the slow cooker. So little effort for so much yum!
How to Make Slow Cooker Beef Carnitas
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3-4 pound chuck roast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- hot sauce to taste
Instructions
- Mix salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, oregano, and garlic powder in a small container.
- Cut the chuck roast into 2 to 3 inch chunks. Place the meat in a slow cooker. Sprinkle half of the seasoning mixture over the roast and toss to coat. Add orange juice. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high 4-5 hours.
- Remove the beef from the CrockPot and place on a grooved cutting board. The meat should be falling apart. Shred with two forks. Return the shredded beef to the slow cooker and
- Sprinkle the rest of the seasoning mixture over the roast. Toss to coat.
- At this point you can serve the shredded beef carnitas meat as it is. Or, for beef with crispy edges, drizzle the meat with a bit (a tablespoon or two) of corn oil. Toss. Spread on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees for about 5-10 minutes. The edges should be crispy. Turn and bake for about 5 minutes more. Watch it close so it doesn't burn.
- Serve in tacos, salads, nachos, burritos, tostadas, and more!
Notes
Nutrition
Jeamille says
I love your recipes
Amy Engberson says
Thank you!
Michelle | A Latte Food says
Oh my, this looks so good! We love carnitas and can’t get enough of them! This slow cooker recipe is awesome!
Amy Engberson says
Using a slow cooker makes my life easier all year long! And who can resist Mexican food!
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life says
I love Mexican food and I do exactly the same thing with making a big roast for canitas and using the meat for different recipes throughout the week! I’ll have to try your recipe too, Amy! It looks delicious!
Amy Engberson says
Cooking meat once and using it all week makes my life so much easier! We love leftovers, especially when they don’t seem like leftovers!
Ashlyn @ Belle of the Kitchen says
I could eat carnitas every night! These look delicious!
Katerina @ Diethood says
I love meals like this!! Another great use for my crock pot. 😀
Amy Engberson says
On super busy days it’s so nice to come home and have dinner sitting in the crock pot!
Michelle De La Cerda says
Carnitas are a family favorite at my house. We love the slow cooker + tacos= win-win!
Amy Engberson says
We can’t get enough of Mexican food at our house! I could eat it everyday, especially when it’s this easy!
Jessica - The Novice Chef says
Love carnitas, but have always had them made with pork. I have to try this version with beef!
Amy Engberson says
I think Pork is the more common form of carnitas. Since my family raises beef we eat much more of it than we do pork. Either way they are delicious!
Justine | Cooking and Beer says
Carnitas is one of my favorite dishes of all time! This version looks amazing!
Amy Engberson says
I agree! Carnitas are so yummy and easy, and easy is a big deal at my house!
Cindy @ Hun... What's for Dinner? says
This beef sounds wonderful. We just love Tex Mex dishes! Thanks for sharing with us at Simple Supper Tuesday.
Amy Engberson says
Thanks for hosting the party!