Crispy Slow Cooker Carnitas
These Crispy Slow Cooker Carnitas pack 65g protein and 574 calories per serving—a calorie-efficient protein source that batch cooks without active time. Six servings come together in quick prep, then the slow cooker handles everything, freeing your schedule on prep day. High protein-to-calorie ratio makes this a go-to for cutting phases.
Ingredients
- •Pork Loin(1814g)
- •Olive oil(15g)
Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.
- •Oregano, Dried(15g)
- •Cumin, Ground(15g)
- •Paprika, Ground(15g)
- •1 1/2 - 2 Tablespoons Salt (1 Tablespoon Table Salt, Adjust To Your Tastes)
- •1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- •Brown sugar(30g)
- •Yellow Onion
- •Garlic
- •JalapeñO Pepper
- •Tomato, Canned, Crushed
- •Lime Juice, Fresh(60g)
- •Ancho Chile, Dried
Instructions
- 1Rinse and dry the pork shoulder with paper towel. Place the pork in slow cooker bowl and add in the oil, oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper and brown sugar on the pork. Rub seasoning all over pork; top with the onion, garlic, and jalapeno.
- 2Add in the tomatoes and squeeze the lime juices over the pork. Mix everything together until well combined.
- 3Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high 4 to 5 hours.
- 4Once the meat is fork tender and falling apart, remove from slow cooker and allow to cool slightly before pulling apart with 2 forks.
- 5Place the carnitas (shredded meat) onto a baking tray; drizzle with sauce from the slow cooker; add the ancho chiles (poblano peppers) and allow to grill/broil in a preheated oven on medium-high settings until golden and crispy. Alternatively, place shredded pork into a skillet and fry until crispy with the chile slices over medium-high heat.
- 6Preheat oven to 120°C | 250°F. Place an oven rack in the lower-middle part of your oven.
- 7Coat pork in spices and sauces as above. Put the pork in a roasting pan and cover pan tightly with foil. Bake for about 6-8 hours, or until falling apart, basting it in it's own juices after three hours or so. Add in the ancho pepper strips during the last hour of roasting (if including).
- 8Shred as above.
Nutrition — Per Serving
574
calories
65g
protein
32g
fat
- Carbohydrates
- 10g
- Saturated fat
- 10.4g
- Sodium
- 130 mg
- Dietary fiber
- 2.2g
6 servings per batch · ~327g each
Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central
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How much protein does Crispy Slow Cooker Carnitas have per serving?
Each serving contains 65g of protein and 574 calories with 32g fat and 10g carbs. This is a high-protein, very low-carb composition ideal for hitting protein targets without carb interference.
How long does Crispy Slow Cooker Carnitas take to prep?
Marked as quick prep and batch-cooking 6 servings, this slow cooker method handles the work for you while you focus on training and other meal components. Minimal hands-on time makes it efficient for meal prep cycles.
Is Crispy Slow Cooker Carnitas good for muscle gain?
At 65g protein and 574 calories per serving with extremely low carbs, this recipe is excellent for muscle gain during a controlled or moderate surplus. The high fat and protein ratio maximizes satiety and supports testosterone production.
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