Slow Cooker Cherry Chipotle Carnitas

August 31, 2017

My good friend told me the other day that my Instagram feed is basically tacos every other picture. My response: I just really like tacos. This summer, all I have been making are pickles of all kinds and tacos.

Before all the cherries are gone and totally out of season, you have to, have to make this recipe.

I would say this is a totally easy and quick weeknight meal with minimal prep…

…if you have a cherry pitter. If you are like me and don’t have a cherry pitter, the pitting process will take some time. Aside from that, it is just a matter of dumping things in the crockpot, seasoning your meat, and then setting the timer. Go to sleep and let the sweet aroma of spicy carnitas perfume your entire house.

Mmmmm!

I think the fact that tacos seem so prevalent on my Instagram is that they are always a part of my weekly meal plan.

Pasta Monday

Taco Tuesday

Stir Fry Wednesday

Sandwich Thursday

Pizza Friday

That is my secret to success. It is super easy to fill in the theme every week. It can be the same week to week or you can switch it up.

The recipe for these carnitas lasted me two weeks. I stored half in the fridge and then froze the other half. That way, when the next taco craving hits or taco Tuesday comes around, all I have to do is remember to defrost the meat.

Sorry for the big lecture on tacos and meal planning.

You guys know that, normally, I like to add some personal story or whimsy to each post, but the taco situation was just too important.

I will end this dissertation on carnitas right now with my conclusion. Take aways; meal plan, make carnitas, and eat more tacos.

Slow Cooker Chipotle Cherry Carnitas

Tart and smoky pork carnitas. Great for weeknight tacos!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 hours

Ingredients

  • 3 Pound Pork Butt
  • 2 Tablespoons Salt
  • 2 Tablespoons Ground Cumin
  • 1 Tablespoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
  • Juice from 1 Orange
  • 1/2 Yellow Onion thinly sliced
  • 2 Canned Chipotles in Adobo chopped
  • 1 Cup Fresh Pitted and Chopped Cherries
  • 2 Cloves Garlic minced

Instructions

  1. Season all sides of the pork butt with salt, pepper, and cumin. Rub it in to evenly coat.
  2. Add orange juice, onion, cherries, chipotles, and garlic to crock pot.
  3. Place the pork butt, fat cap side up, on top of the juice and cherries.
  4. Set the slow cooker on low and cook for 12-16 hours.
  5. Remove fat cap. Shred using two forks. Mix into the juice. Serve straight from the crock pot or for extra crispy carnitas, add to a baking sheet and broil for a few minutes until crisp.

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