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A vibrant plate of Mexican enchiladas topped with fresh lettuce and salsa, perfect for a cultural dining experience.
StovetopComplexity

Slow Cooker Carnitas

Each serving of Slow Cooker Carnitas delivers 32g protein and 368 calories, offering efficient Mexican-style portions for meal prep. Quick preparation produces 8 servings from one cook session, giving you multiple days of pork without daily cooking. The moderate calorie count works across phases while providing complete protein for muscle maintenance.

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Ingredients

8 servings
  • Yellow Onion
  • Garlic(240g)
  • 2 small cinnamon sticks ($0.95)
  • Oregano, Dried(8g)
  • Cumin, Ground(8g)
  • 1/2 tsp salt ($0.02)
  • Freshly cracked pepper ($0.05)
  • 1/2 tsp chipotle pepper powder ($0.05)
  • Pork Shoulder (Boston Butt)(1361g)
  • Orange

Instructions

  1. 1Dice the onion and peel the garlic cloves. Place the onion, garlic, and cinnamon sticks in the bottom of the slow cooker.
  2. 2In a small bowl, combine the oregano, cumin, salt, pepper, and chipotle powder. Cut the pork roast into 2-inch cubes. Place the cubed meat in a bowl and sprinkle the spice mix over top. Toss the meat in the spices until evenly coated. Place the seasoned meat in the slow cooker on top of the onion, garlic, and cinnamon.
  3. 3Use a vegetable peeler to remove the thin layer of orange zest from one of the oranges. Squeeze about 1/2 cup juice from the oranges. Pour the orange juice over the meat in the slow cooker, than sprinkle the pieces of orange zest over top.
  4. 4Place a lid on the slow cooker, turn it on to high, and cook for 5 hours, or until the meat is tender and falls apart.
  5. 5Use tongs to stir and shred the meat, and remove the cinnamon sticks. Either divide the meat and liquid into smaller containers to refrigerate for later, or transfer the meat and some of the liquid to a skillet (preferably non-stick or cast iron). Cook the meat over medium flame until browned and crispy on the edges. Avoid stirring the meat too much as it will break down into tiny pieces. Use the crispy meat as a filling for tacos, burritos, nachos, or burrito bowls.

Nutrition — Per Serving

368

calories

32g

protein

21g

fat

Carbohydrates
11g
Saturated fat
7.5g
Sodium
111 mg
Dietary fiber
1.2g

8 servings per batch · ~202g each

Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central

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Common questions

How much protein does Slow Cooker Carnitas have per serving?

Each serving delivers 32g of protein with 368 calories, paired with 21g fat and 11g carbs. This high-fat, low-carb profile makes it a solid option for those tracking macros across different dietary approaches.

How long does Slow Cooker Carnitas take to prep?

Quick prep time combined with 8 servings per batch creates substantial meal prep output in one slow cooker session. This yield is efficient for week-long protein planning with minimal active prep.

Is Slow Cooker Carnitas good for fat loss?

At 368 calories and 32g protein per serving, carnitas work during fat loss phases when monitoring fat intake due to the 21g fat content per serving. Pair with lower-fat sides to stay within daily macro targets.

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