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    Uncategorized » Recipes

    Crock-Pot Leftover Pork Carnitas

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Jun 20, 2016 · Modified: Mar 25, 2021 by Dee

    One bite of these juicy Crock-Pot leftover pork carnitas and you'll never go back to ordinary tacos again! This easy recipe can be used for a quick dinner or appetizer anytime.

    Jump to Recipe -

    crock-pot-pork-carnitas

    The Hubs absolutely loves grocery shopping -- way more than I do. It's almost like some primal hunter-gatherer thing with him. The other day, I asked him to stop by the store and pick up some pork chops, and he came home with practically the whole hog, including a huge pork butt roast. To be fair, the meat was on sale, but still.

    We had grilled pork chops that night, and the next day, I stuffed that mega roast into the Crock-Pot and let it slow cook all day long. I have a go-to method for cooking pork roast in the slow cooker, which basically involves using garlic, onions and a little bit of salt and pepper. Sometimes, I'll add Dijon mustard or apple slices, but keeping it simple the first time around means that I can get creative with leftovers.h

    We usually have barbecue pulled pork sandwiches at least once, and sometimes, I'll make pork carnitas with the leftover meat. These are smaller and lighter than regular tacos, so they're perfect for summer. And, since you use plenty of fresh toppings, you don't need a lot of meat -- Think budget friendly!

    I just heat up some pork in a small pan and add black beans, spices, cilantro, lime juice and some water. The meat already has onions and garlic, but you can even add more if you prefer.

    crock-pot-pork-carnitas-black-beans-cilantro

    I like to heat up the tortillas in another small pan -- just a few seconds per side. This makes them, nice and soft. Then, you add the meat mixture.

    .easy-crock-pot-pork-carnitas-tortillas

    Finally, you add as many toppings as you want!

    crock-pot-pork-carnitas-plated

    How to Make Crock-Pot Leftover Pork Carnitas

    crock-pot-pork-carnitas

    Crock-Pot leftover Pork Carnitas

    Published by Dee
    Easy pork carnitas tacos made with leftover Crock-Pot pork roast
    4.89 from 9 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Text Share by Email
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    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 12 to 14 tacos
    Calories 132 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 cups to 4 of leftover cooked shredded pork
    • 1 can black beans rinsed and drained
    • 2 teaspoons sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 2 teaspoons cumin
    • 2 teaspoons paprika
    • Juice from 1 lime
    • ¼ cup water or more if needed
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • ½ cup chopped cilantro
    • Small tortillas
    • Your favorite toppings like shredded red cabbage, Monterey Jack cheese, Cotija cheese, tomatoes, sour cream, avocados or guacamole, salsa

    Instructions
     

    • In a small pan, heat the pork and black beans with the olive oil, and add the spices and water
    • Mix in the lime juice and cilantro
    • In another pan, heat the tortillas on both sides until soft and lightly brown, and keep covered on a plate until ready to use
    • Place small amount of meat mixture in each tortilla, and add your favorite toppings
    • Enjoy!

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 132kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 7gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 741mgPotassium: 13mgSugar: 8gVitamin A: 255IUVitamin C: 1.1mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 0.8mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    crock-pot-pork-carnitas-hand

    You can see how juicy the meat is. And those fresh toppings -- yum! 

    crock-pot pork carnitas

    We had these easy pork carnitas for dinner last week and again for appetizers on Father's Day. The hunter-gatherer loves them and so does the rest of the family.

    I hope you enjoy them too!

    sig%2B1.png

     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Charles says

      March 11, 2020 at 5:17 pm

      No more throwing pulled pork away. This was a big hit with the family. Very simple to pan fry the pork crispy and in the beans. The fresh jalapeños makes the dish pop.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        March 12, 2020 at 2:08 pm

        Thank you, Charles! I'm happy you enjoyed it!

    2. Libbles Dunn says

      August 19, 2019 at 4:11 pm

      Very simple and delicious!
      Made this using some leftover roasted porkk pork shoulder!!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        August 21, 2019 at 9:08 am

        Glad you liked it! Thank you so much!

    3. Arthur Savard says

      January 07, 2019 at 5:20 pm

      Thank you so much for the Recipe. Used left over Hickory smoked pulled pork shoulder. Killer flavor.
      Added this to my favorite dishes5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        January 08, 2019 at 7:55 am

        So glad you liked it, Arthur! 🙂

    4. Karen says

      October 24, 2018 at 4:15 pm

      This was fantastic! Thank you very much!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        October 24, 2018 at 11:04 pm

        So glad you liked it, Karen. Thanks so much!

    5. Courtney says

      January 02, 2018 at 6:38 am

      I have some shredded pork that is screaming to be used in this recipe! Do you think I can throw all of this in a crock pot? I really want a set it and forget it kind of day.

      Reply
      • Dee says

        January 03, 2018 at 9:34 am

        I haven't tried making it this way, but I'm sure it would be fine -- easy too!

    6. Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood says

      June 27, 2016 at 12:06 pm

      Yum!! Carnitas are a staple around here - I love the idea of using leftovers to make them!

      Reply
    7. Pamela Shank says

      June 26, 2016 at 4:45 pm

      These look wonderful. We always have leftover pulled pork when I fix it. I will be making these the next time.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        June 28, 2016 at 9:41 am

        Thanks! Let me know how you like it. 🙂

    8. Miz Helen says

      June 24, 2016 at 1:11 pm

      Your Pork Carnitas look fabulous, we will love this recipe! Have a great weekend and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
      Come Back Soon!
      Miz Helen5 stars

      Reply
    9. Michelle says

      June 22, 2016 at 10:11 pm

      I saw this at Full Plate Thursday and had to see more!
      Pulled pork is a favorite of mine! Thanks for the delicious recipe!
      Michelle

      Reply
      • Dee says

        June 22, 2016 at 11:41 pm

        Thank you so much, Michelle. It's a favorite at my house too! 🙂

    10. eat good 4 life says

      June 22, 2016 at 12:42 pm

      Such a great idea. No one will turn this away!

      Reply
    11. Jenny | Honey and Birch says

      June 21, 2016 at 7:57 am

      This is a great way to use up leftover pork! Love it!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        June 22, 2016 at 2:16 am

        Thanks! We always have a lot left over from a roast, and the kids love tacos. 🙂

    12. Sabrina says

      June 20, 2016 at 11:56 pm

      This is a perfect recipe for taco Tuesday! We love pulled pork!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        June 22, 2016 at 2:11 am

        Pulled pork is a favorite around here too! 🙂

    13. Meg @ With Salt and Wit says

      June 20, 2016 at 8:05 pm

      I think I know what we are doing for taco Tuesday!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        June 22, 2016 at 2:10 am

        Yep -- I know we'll be having these again. 🙂

    14. Michelle De La Cerda says

      June 20, 2016 at 7:28 pm

      What to have for Taco Tuesday is now solved!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        June 22, 2016 at 1:58 am

        I should have saved these for Tuesday, but maybe next week!

    15. Florentina says

      June 20, 2016 at 3:48 pm

      Oh this look so good, I need to get me a crock pot! Saving to make for when feeding a crowd, because I know they'll be a hit!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        June 20, 2016 at 3:51 pm

        Thanks! I would be lost without my Crock-Pot! 🙂

    16. Erin @ The Speckled Palate says

      June 20, 2016 at 10:32 am

      You absolutely cannot beat pork carnita tacos! Not only does a big pork butt (or shoulder!) go a long way, but you can make such delicious dishes with this. We'll definitely be making these in the near future since we don't like to turn on the oven in the summertime and using the slow cooker is best!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        June 20, 2016 at 3:50 pm

        I completely agree -- I avoid using the oven, since it's way too hot for that right now, so the Crock-Pot is my best friend! 🙂

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    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

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