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Healthy Slow Cooker Carnitas Tacos Without Lard Easy Homemade Recipe

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A lighter, healthier version of classic carnitas made in a slow cooker without lard, delivering tender, juicy pork packed with bright citrus and spice flavors. Perfect for easy weeknight dinners or casual entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 to 4 pounds pork shoulder (pork butt), trimmed of excess fat
  • 1/2 cup orange juice (120 ml)
  • Juice of 1 fresh lime
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium onion, sliced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (120 ml)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Corn or flour tortillas, warmed, for serving

Instructions

  1. Trim visible fat from the pork shoulder but leave some marbling for tenderness. Pat dry with paper towels.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, toss the pork with olive oil, salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and oregano until evenly coated.
  3. Place sliced onion and minced garlic at the bottom of the slow cooker. Add bay leaves, orange juice, lime juice, and chicken broth to create a flavorful base.
  4. Nestle the seasoned pork shoulder on top of the aromatics and liquids, partially submerged but not fully covered.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours until pork is tender and shreds easily.
  6. Remove pork from slow cooker and discard bay leaves. Shred pork using two forks or shredder claws.
  7. Optional: Spread shredded pork in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and broil for 5-7 minutes until edges are crisp and caramelized, watching closely to avoid burning.
  8. Serve the carnitas in warmed tortillas topped with fresh cilantro, diced onions, avocado slices, salsa, and a squeeze of lime.

Notes

Trim visible fat but leave some marbling for juiciness. Use fresh citrus juice for best flavor and tenderizing effect. Broiling the shredded pork crisps edges for authentic texture without frying. Leftover carnitas can be refrigerated up to 4 days or frozen up to 3 months. Reheat gently and broil again to restore crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: healthy carnitas, slow cooker carnitas, carnitas tacos, pork tacos, no lard carnitas, easy carnitas recipe, gluten-free carnitas, dairy-free carnitas

Find it online: https://blairrecipes.com/healthy-slow-cooker-carnitas-tacos-without-lard-easy-homemade-recipe/