Slow-cooked carnitas pork, infused with tequila, lime, and spices, then transformed in to two-bite carnitas taco bites. A great snack for the big game!
I’m pretty sure I’ve waxed poetic enough about football foods this past week, but these babies just had to see the light of day before Sunday, because they are the BOMB.
I’ve had such a craving for homemade Carnitas, lately. Chipotle is one of our fave restaurants, and I’ve been meaning to try my hand at my own crock pot version of the burrito joint’s pork.
This week seemed like perfect timing. We used the finished carnitas in our own version of their burrito bowls, as well as a quick taco dinner filler.
But not before I cranked these adorably delicious Tequila Lime Carnitas Taco Bites.
How to make Slow Cooker Carnitas:
- Combine cumin, paprika, oregano, chili powder, red pepper, salt, and pepper in a small bowl and stir until evenly mixed.
- Rub roast with diced garlic and place in crock pot. Add seasonings mix and distribute over meat evenly, being sure to get some on the underside of the roast also.
- Add onion and bay leaves to crock pot, then pour in lime juice, orange juice, and tequila.
- Slow cook on low for 10 hours, high for 6 hours.
- When pork is done cooking, set broiler to high. Using two forks, shred meat, then transfer it to two foil-lined baking or roasting pans. Pour some of the remaining juice from the crock pot over the meat.
- Broil on high about 10 minutes to give it a nice, crispy brown top.
Loving this carnitas recipe? You can also use it in the following recipes:
Tequila Lime Carnitas Taco Bites
Ingredients
Crock Pot Carnitas
- 4-5 pound pork shoulder or butt roast boneless
- 3 cloves garlic finely diced
- 3 tablespoons cumin
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 2 tablespoons oregano
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 3 tablespoons red pepper flakes
- Salt & pepper desired amount
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 limes juice of
- ½ orange juice of
- 6 ounces tequila
Taco Bites
- 5-6 large flour tortilla shells
- 1 ½ cups prepared Carnitas
- 8 ounces guacamole homemade or store bought
- ½ can Rotel tomato mix or pico de gallo
- 3 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
Crock Pot Carnitas
- Combine cumin, paprika, oregano, chili powder, red pepper, salt, and pepper in a small bowl and stir until evenly mixed.
- Rub roast with diced garlic and place in crock pot. Add seasonings mix and distribute over meat evenly, being sure to get some on the underside of the roast also.
- Add onion and bay leaves to crock pot, then pour in lime juice, orange juice, and tequila.
- Slow cook on low for 10 hours, high for 6 hours.
- When pork is done cooking, set broiler to high. Using two forks, shred meat, then transfer it to two foil-lined baking or roasting pans. Pour some of the remaining juice from the crock pot over the meat.
- Broil on high about 10 minutes to give it a nice, crispy brown top.
Taco Bites
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Using a cookie cutter (a star worked great for this, but round would also work), cut taco bite shells from tortillas, pressing each one in to an ungreased mini muffin pan cup.
- Bake shells for 8-10 minutes until crispy but not too dark. Let cool until you can touch the pan with your bare hands. Turn oven to high broil.
- Fill each taco bite shell with about 1 Tablespoon prepared Carnitas. Top each with desired amount of guacamole, Rotel/pico, and cheese, but don't overfill too much.
- Broil the finished bites another 3-4 minutes, just to warm the filling and melt the cheese.
- When pan is cool to the touch, remove taco bites and serve. Enjoy!
aimee fauci says
These look so beautiful and delicious. Love how perfect they are.
Tiffany says
Oh my! The meat alone looks so good. I’ve never had the courage to cook pork yet, but this looks easy to try!
Nicky says
I love carnitas! I like how you created these two bite appetizers. They would be great for any party
Amber @ Slim Pickin's Kitchen says
Yeaaaaaah. I can’t make these, like, ever. I’m pretty sure I would eat the entire batch all by myself in one sitting!
sarah says
These look so fun and delicious! I just might have to make them tonight! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Kasey Lyn says
Oh man, these look delightful. I’ll have to try these sometime!
Erin @ The Speckled Palate says
Well, these are just GORGEOUS, and I want to eat half a pan of them right now. I mean… how could they not be amazing? And what little perfect bites for a gameday treat! I like the way you’re thinkin’, lady.
Kristin @ MOMentous Moms says
I have been loving mexican food lately and this looks right up my alley! Amazing I am making these this weekend for sure! Amazingly beautiful pics btw ๐
Christin @ Blue Crab Martini says
You had me at tequila! These look absolutely delicious!
jennifer {fabfatale.com} says
mmmmm, this looks amazing, and i love slow cooker anything. had to comment, stumble and pin this one ๐ will definitely be trying this soon, maybe with won ton wrappers ๐