07/23/2026
Slow cooker Pork Carnitas for dinner!
3-4lb pork shoulder or picnic roast
3 teaspoons salt
4 dried bay leaves
1/2 cup water
3 large fresh rosemary sprigs
Preheat a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Dry the pork with paper towels and season it with 2 teaspoons salt on all sides. Sear the pork on all sides, letting it sit for a few minutes on each side to develop a nice crust.
Set your pork in the slow cooker and add rosemary and bay leaves. Pour 1/2 cup water into the Dutch oven and deglaze the pan, then pour the liquid on top of the roast in the slow cooker. All those drippings pack a ton of flavor! Add the final 1tsp of salt over the roast and cover the slow cooker. Set on low for 10-12 hours, then shred and let the meat sit in the juices an additional 30 minutes. Serve over rice, in a burrito, or over home fries with your favorite fixings!
This recipe is adapted from The Slow Roasted Italian.