Slow Cooker Carnitas (beef Carnitas with beef Loin or Tenderloin)
Indulge in the savory goodness of Slow Cooker Carnitas, crafted from tender beef loin or tenderloin. This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a flavor-packed dish perfect for tacos, burritos, or salads. The slow cooking process makes the beef incredibly tender and allows the spices and citrus juices to meld beautifully, resulting in a crowd-pleasing meal that’s easy to prepare. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or enjoying a family dinner, these beef carnitas are sure to impress.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 240 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds beef tenderloin or boneless beef loin
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons salt (to taste)
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 4–5 tablespoons fresh navel orange juice
- Half onion (chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 medium jalapeño (chopped)
Instructions
- Prepare your ingredients: chop the onion, mince the garlic, and dice the jalapeño.
- In a bowl, mix oregano, cumin, and salt; rub this seasoning on the beef.
- Optional: Sauté onion in avocado oil until translucent, then add garlic and jalapeño for another minute.
- Place seasoned beef in the slow cooker, add sautéed aromatics if desired, and pour lime and orange juices over top.
- Cover and cook on low for about 4 hours until fork-tender.
- Shred the beef with two forks; for crispy edges, broil on a baking sheet for 5-7 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 80mg