Go Back
slow cooker beef carnitas on a plate

Slow Cooker Beef Carnitas Recipe

Slow Cooker Beef Carnitas recipe is the best beef carnitas recipe that you can make filled with flavors from an easy spice rub while cooking slow.
Serving8
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 9 hours
Total Time 9 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

Spice Rub

  • 1 Tabelspoon brown sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon salt
  • ½ Tablespoon cumin
  • ½ Tablespoon smoked paprika
  • ½ Tablespoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Carnitas

  • 3 pounds beef chuck roast
  • 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 3 poblano peppers, (seeded and thinly sliced)
  • 1 chipotle pepper in adobe sauce, finely chopped
  • 16 ounces jarred salsa
  • 16 flour tortillas
  • 1½ cups grated cotija cheese, (can also use shredded Mexican cheese)
  • favorite toppings, (guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream, fresh cilantro, etc)

Equipment

Instructions

  • Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Rub the beef chuck roast down on all the sides with the seasonings making sure it is all covered. 
  • Place roast inside of slow cooker.
  • Place onions and peppers on top of roast. Pour salsa on top of everything.
  • Cook on low heat for 8-10 hours.
  • Remove roast and shred with 2 forks.
  • Preheat broiler on oven.
  • Spray a large baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray and spread shredded beef out on it.
  • Pour 1/3-2/3 cup of the liquid left in the slow cooker on top of the shredded beef.
  • Place beef under the broiler for 2-4 minutes or until the ends start to brown and turn crispy (it will happen fast, so watch it carefully!). Remove beef from oven and serve on top of tortillas with your favorite toppings. You can also use it on top of nachos, salads, or any way you want to eat it!

Notes

  • To get the flavor you want out of this dish you will want to cook it on low in the slow cooker. But, if you are shorter on time you can give our Instant Pot Carnitas recipe a try too!

Nutrition

Calories: 601 kcal · Carbohydrates: 39 g · Protein: 43 g · Fat: 31 g · Saturated Fat: 14 g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 3 g · Monounsaturated Fat: 12 g · Trans Fat: 1 g · Cholesterol: 142 mg · Sodium: 2155 mg · Potassium: 877 mg · Fiber: 4 g · Sugar: 6 g · Vitamin A: 838 IU · Vitamin C: 4 mg · Calcium: 287 mg · Iron: 7 mg
Cuisine: American
Course: Main Course