You can say goodbye to Chipotle and hello to these shredded slow cooker pork carnitas. They cook all day in your crockpot and add just the right amount of Mexican seasoning to salads or burritos.
Have you tried my grandmother’s slow cooker pork chops before we talk about this easy slow cooker dinner? They’re not Mexican food, which we all love, but they are one of our favorite things to make when we have people over.
You already know of my extreme love for sweet desserts. But there is really only one thing that I tend to crave. And that is burritos. It doesn’t matter where I get my burrito—I love Chipotle, Hot Head, and Qdoba—but every week I wish I had a spicy one!
Last summer we started making burritos at home. Normally when we have homemade burritos, I use taco meat. And they are good. But when I really want to make something special, I put pork on low heat, make my own pico de gallo, and put together a burrito.
You can set it and forget it in the slow cooker, which saves time and money, and your family can still enjoy dinner together on busy weeknights.
A special thanks to the Ohio Pork Council for sponsoring this recipe that we’re sharing with you today.
Carnitas literally means “little pieces of meat”. As the meat cooks slowly, you’ll shred it when it’s soft. In this case, the meat is pork. Then you’ll chop the meat into small pieces. It’s perfect for filling tacos, burritos and for topping salads.
Qdoba’s tender, juicy pulled pork is a customer favorite, but you don’t have to go to the restaurant every time you get a craving. With just two main ingredients – pork shoulder and salsa – you can easily recreate this signature dish in your own kitchen
Making pulled pork is a hands-off process thanks to the slow cooker, leaving you time for other tasks while it cooks. In a few simple steps, you’ll have restaurant-quality pulled pork ready to pile high on tacos, burritos, nachos and more
Keep reading for everything you need to know to master Qdoba’s pulled pork recipe at home, from choosing the right ingredients to shredding techniques and serving suggestions.
Overview of Qdoba’s Pulled Pork
Let’s start with an overview of what makes Qdoba’s pulled pork special:
- Made from pork shoulder/butt roast
- Slow cooked until fall-apart tender
- Infused with a bold salsa flavor
- Shredded into bite-size pieces with a slight crispiness
- Topped on burritos, bowls and other Mexican dishes
The pork shoulder contains plenty of fat and connective tissue that breaks down and keeps the meat moist during slow cooking. A basic salsa adds big flavor as the meat cooks down into juicy, shred-worthy pieces.
Ingredients Needed
Part of what makes this recipe so easy is that it requires just two main ingredients:
- Pork shoulder roast (2 pounds)
- Salsa (1 cup)
Pork shoulder, also called Boston butt, has the right amount of fat for moist, tender pulled pork. Bone-in or boneless roasts work equally well.
For the salsa, use your favorite store-bought or homemade recipe. Tomato-based salsas work best to infuse flavor.
Prep the Pork for the Slow Cooker
Prepping the pork shoulder properly before slow cooking is an important first step:
- Trim excess fat to prevent greasiness
- Cut into large 2-3 inch chunks
- Season all over with dry rub (chili powder, cumin, etc.)
- Place pork chunks in slow cooker and cover with salsa
Slow Cook on Low 8-10 Hours
Cooking low and slow is key for pulled pork success. Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours until fork tender. The meat should shred easily.
- Cook time depends on size of roast and slow cooker
- Check for doneness after 8 hours
- Continue cooking if pork isn’t falling apart
Shred the Pork
Once cooked through, remove pork from the slow cooker to shred it. Use two forks to pull pork into bite-size pieces.
- Let pork rest 20-30 mins before shredding
- Pull out any large fatty pieces
- Work in batches for even shredding
- Add back to slow cooker when finished
Finish Cooking Pulled Pork
For extra flavor, return shredded pork to slow cooker and cook 30 mins more.
- Mix shredded pork with remaining salsa
- Cook 30 mins on LOW to blend flavors
- Add seasoning or extra salsa to taste
Serving Suggestions
Now that you’ve mastered Qdoba’s pulled pork, get creative with serving ideas like:
- Burrito bowls
- Tacos
- Nachos
- Traditional burritos
- Tortilla soup
- Pulled pork sandwiches
- Pizza topping
- Omelets or breakfast burritos
- Loaded baked potatoes
The possibilities are endless for using this versatile pulled pork recipe! Adjust seasonings to make it your own.
Extra Tips and Tricks
- Use leftover sauce from slow cooker to moisten reheated pork
- Store leftover pork and sauce separately for easier reheat
- Add liquid smoke when cooking for extra smoky flavor
- Make ahead and freeze in portions for quick meals
- Double recipe and use extra for meals throughout the week
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of salsa should I use?
The best salsas to use for flavoring pulled pork are tomato-based red salsas. Feel free to use store-bought or homemade.
Do I need to brown the pork first?
Browning isn’t required since the pork cooks so long. However, it adds great flavor if you have time. Just brown each side in a skillet before slow cooking.
Can I use a pork loin instead?
Pork shoulder is best since it has more fat and connective tissue. Loin may get dry during long cook times.
Is bone-in or boneless better?
Both work equally well. Bone-in may add more flavor, but boneless is easier for shredding after cooking.
How can I adjust the spice level?
For milder pork, use a mild salsa. For spicy pork, use a hot salsa or add cayenne and chili powder before cooking.
Enjoy Tender, Flavorful Pulled Pork
Making this pulled pork is easy thanks to the slow cooker doing most of the work. With just a few minutes of hands-on prep time, you’ll have tender, juicy pulled pork full of smoky salsa flavor ready when you are.
Customize the salsa’s seasoning to suit your tastes and get creative with how you use this versatile pork. Just be prepared for some very happy family and friends when you serve up these bowls and tacos piled high with your homemade pulled pork masterpiece.
How to Make Carnitas
We make pork carnitas in the slow cooker to keep it easy. It will take all day to cook the pork to fork tender, but the result is worth it!.
**Note. If you want the pork to cook more quickly, cut the shoulder or roast in 3-4 chunks. This will help the pork cook more quickly. Watch out for the bone if your pork shoulder has a bone. You’ll just discard the bone after cooking.
- In the bottom of a slow cooker, put two bay leaves.
- Trim the fat from the outside of the pork shoulder. Throw away the fat, and then put the pork in the slow cooker.
- Spices like cinnamon, cumin, oregano, coriander, and salt should all be mixed together in a small bowl. Sprinkle the spices on top of the pork.
- Be careful not to wash off the spices you put on top of the pork when you pour the two cups of chicken stock around the sides of it.
- Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours. The pork should shred easily with a fork. About halfway through cooking, check on the pork and raise the heat if it seems like it needs it. Note that it’s tough to say how long this will take to cook. If you need it done at a certain time, like for a dinner party, you can always cook it the day before and reheat it to make sure it gets done on time.
- About an hour before you serve, shred the pork all the way through and mix it with the juices.
What does pork carnitas taste like?
Carnitas often have a milder flavor than other Mexican flavored meats such as barbacoa. If you don’t like super spicy, this is the meat you’ll want for your tacos and burritos.
Pork carnitas are a great option for a high protein, low carb eating plan. This recipe fits in Keto, Paleo and Whole30 eating plans. Just be careful about what you put on the burrito bowls to make sure they don’t break your eating plan.