Slow Cooker Carnita Style Pork

This Carnita style pork is one of my favorites! Super simple and full of flavor. I ALWAYS get a Carnita Burrito if I’m at Chipotle, and they are very transparent on their site about the ingredients in the Carnitas: pork, bay leaf, salt, black pepper, thyme, juniper berries, sunflower oil. It’s definitely the juniper berries that add such a unique, savory flavor so don’t leave them out!  My local Harris Teeter carries them, or here is a link to get them on Amazon.
I love these Hatfield Touch of Sea Salt Pork Loin Filet but if you can’t find them, use a 1-1.5lb pork loin.

You could definitely crisp up the meat in the oven by broiling for a minute or two for a more authentic Carnita but my kiddos prefer the texture right from the slow cooker. I usually serve with a homemade cilantro lime rice and fixings for everyone to make their own burritos or bowls.

Slow Cooker Carnita Style Pork

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Ingredients

• 1 Hatfield Touch Of Sea Salt Pork Loin Filet or 1-1.5lb pork loin
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 tablespoon juniper berries
• Salt/pepper
• 1/2 cup water
• Cilantro for garnish, optional

Instructions

1. Place pork loin in slow cooker and add 1/2 cup water.
2. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, thyme, juniper berries and add the 2 whole bay leaves to pot.
3. Cook on high for 4 to 6 hours until internal temp is 170 degrees and pork shreds easily with two forks.
4. Remove bay leaves (and my personal preference is to remove any juniper berries that are left whole) prior to serving.
5. Garnish with Cilantro if desired.