Recipe of the Week

Category, , DifficultyIntermediate

Freezer-Friendly Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

Yields6 Servings
Prep Time15 minsCook Time4 hrs 8 minsTotal Time4 hrs 23 mins

 1 ½ tbsp Mrs. Dash® salt-free taco seasoning mix
 ½ cup fresh orange juice
 ¼ cup fresh lime juice
 2 lbs boneless pork loin roast
 1 tbsp olive oil

1

In large zip-top plastic bag, add taco seasoning, orange juice, lime juice, ¾ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper; add pork. Seal bag, pressing out excess air; freeze up to 2 months.

2

To prepare, transfer bag with pork to refrigerator to thaw completely.

3

In 3- to 4-quart slow cooker, add pork mixture and marinade; cover and cook on high 4 hours or low 8 hours or until pork is very tender.

4

Preheat broiler to high; spray rimmed baking pan with cooking spray. Transfer pork to prepared pan; shred with two forks. Pour oil and juices from slow cooker over pork; toss and spread on pan. Broil pork 8 minutes or until golden brown and crisp. Makes about 4 cups.

Chef Tip: Serve carnitas in tacos, on tostadas or in a burrito bowl. Recipe can also be prepared without freezing; marinate at least 1 hour or up to overnight before cooking.

Dietitian Tip: Have fun with toppings like sweet potato tortilla chips, salsa, guacamole, and shredded red cabbage. Customizing the meat into different meals makes it feel different, even when one component is the same!

Ingredients

 1 ½ tbsp Mrs. Dash® salt-free taco seasoning mix
 ½ cup fresh orange juice
 ¼ cup fresh lime juice
 2 lbs boneless pork loin roast
 1 tbsp olive oil

Directions

1

In large zip-top plastic bag, add taco seasoning, orange juice, lime juice, ¾ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper; add pork. Seal bag, pressing out excess air; freeze up to 2 months.

2

To prepare, transfer bag with pork to refrigerator to thaw completely.

3

In 3- to 4-quart slow cooker, add pork mixture and marinade; cover and cook on high 4 hours or low 8 hours or until pork is very tender.

4

Preheat broiler to high; spray rimmed baking pan with cooking spray. Transfer pork to prepared pan; shred with two forks. Pour oil and juices from slow cooker over pork; toss and spread on pan. Broil pork 8 minutes or until golden brown and crisp. Makes about 4 cups.

Notes

Freezer-Friendly Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

Nutrition Facts

6 servings

Serving size

2/3 cup


Amount per serving
Calories300
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 18g24%
Saturated Fat 6g30%
Cholesterol 85mg29%
Sodium 341mg15%
Total Carbohydrate 4g2%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 29g

* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.