Table of Contents
  1. More Taco Recipes
  2. Watch How to Make This Recipe
  3. Have I Convinced You to Make This Recipe?
  4. Slow Cooker Carnitas Tacos Recipe

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Growing up, my sister and I always loved when Mom would make tacos. During the summer, we would all be working outside in the garden or on the farm until late into the evening and tacos were an exciting thing to look forward to. I now realize tacos have a different meaning for just about anyone. And as they become more and more popular, the tacos I grew up with seem…well, drab. In Iowa – at that time – nothing was better than a combination of ground beef with taco seasoning in a softshell topped with cheese, lettuce, and salsa. I also now realize this was a super quick meal for Mom – go Mom!

Those tacos will always hold a special nostalgic place with my tastebuds, but I love to make a more elevated filling now. We all fall prey to the thought that if something is more true to a region, it’s hard and time-consuming. Let me tell you something: these carnitas tacos are far from hard work! Everything is done in the slow cooker. Period.

Five tacos in flour tortillas with slow cooker carnitas meat on marble surface.

Black beans and pork cook slowly together and when combined with spices and salsa, they create a rich and pull-apart tender meat that’s ready to go when you are! I would never say these are authentic but they definitely are tasty!

Slow cooker carnitas tacos with cilantro and avocado on marble surface.
Marble surface with flour tortilla with carnitas meat.

More Taco Recipes

Watch How to Make This Recipe

YouTube video

Have I Convinced You to Make This Recipe?

I hope you make this recipe and put some food on your table. Leave a comment and share a star rating so you can let others know how much you love this recipe. This helps show others that this is a recipe they, too, can make, enjoy, and love!

Flour tortilla with carnitas meat cooked in the slow cooker.

Slow Cooker Carnitas Tacos

5 from 1 vote
Cooked in the slow cooker for hours, this pork shoulder recipe is the perfect filling for tacos! Full of flavor and super easy to make!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 20 minutes
Servings 12 servings of meat

Ingredients

  • 2 15-oz cans black beans
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 1 Anaheim chili (or another chili) diced
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp Mexican oregano
  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • 3-4 lb pork shoulder roast
  • 2 cups salsa

Instructions
 

  • In a 4-6 quart slow cooker, pour two cans of black beans with their liquid. Add the chopped onion, chili, paprika, cumin, oregano, and salt. Stir to combine. Place the shoulder roast on top. Pour over favorite salsa and top with the lid.
    2 15-oz cans black beans, 1 medium onion, 1 Anaheim chili (or another chili), 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp Mexican oregano, 2 tsp kosher salt, 3-4 lb pork shoulder roast, 2 cups salsa
  • Cook on low 6-8 hours or high 4-5 hours. The meat is done when a fork is easily inserted in the meat and it shreds easily.
  • Remove meat from the cooker. If there is a bone in the roast, it should pull right out. Shred using two forks.
  • Return the meat to the cooker and stir together with the beans and cooking liquid.
  • Serve on corn or flour tortillas with desired condiments.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving of meatCalories: 249kcal
Course Dinner
Cuisine Southwestern
Difficulty Easy
Method Slow Cooker

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Kaleb

Kaleb Wyse is a New York Times bestselling author behind the popular Wyse Guide website. Living on his fourth-generation Iowa farm, he loves sharing recipes and gardening tips that come from traditions that feel comfortably familiar. His down-to-earth style makes sustainable living and farm life feel like home!

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5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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