Faux Smoked Pulled Pork (Carnitas)

  4.8 – 5 reviews  • Pulled Pork

I used this to sate my yearning for pulled pork or carnitas before I got a smoker. You may use this meat to make tacos or pulled pork sandwiches (see my coleslaw recipe). Simply get inventive and make do with what you have if you don’t have all the ingredients for the spice rub. It’ll still work out beautifully. It is a party staple every time. Enjoy.

Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 6 hrs 12 mins
Total Time: 6 hrs 32 mins
Servings: 8
Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

  1. 6 tablespoons brown sugar
  2. 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  3. 2 tablespoons chili powder
  4. 2 tablespoons paprika
  5. 2 tablespoons dried oregano
  6. 2 tablespoons onion powder
  7. 1 tablespoon mustard seed
  8. 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
  9. ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  10. ½ teaspoon ground coriander
  11. salt to taste
  12. 1 (3 pound) pork butt roast, or more to taste
  13. 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  14. 2 cups water
  15. 2 tablespoons liquid smoke flavoring
  16. 2 dried chipotle chile peppers, or to taste (Optional)

Instructions

  1. Mix brown sugar, garlic powder, chili powder, paprika, oregano, onion powder, mustard seed, black pepper, cumin, coriander, and salt together in a small bowl.
  2. Rub pork roast liberally with brown sugar mixture.
  3. Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add pork roast; cook until browned, 3 to 5 minutes per side.
  4. Transfer pork to a slow cooker. Add water, liquid smoke, and chipotle peppers.
  5. Cook on Low until pork is tender, about 6 hours. Transfer pork to a cutting board and pull apart with tongs.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 309 kcal
Carbohydrate 17 g
Cholesterol 64 mg
Dietary Fiber 3 g
Protein 23 g
Saturated Fat 4 g
Sodium 91 mg
Sugars 11 g
Fat 17 g
Unsaturated Fat 0 g

Reviews

Nathaniel Hebert
The men and I really enjoyed this recipe. Made as directed!
Scott Lucas
This recipe is FANTASTIC! I’ve made it twice, the first time just following instructions and the next making some really simple improvisions. The flavor was very good, but a little mild for me in round one, so the second time I put the rub on and wrapped it overnight before searing and putting it in the slow cooker in the morning. I also pulled it apart and let it sit on warm for about two hours after the 6 hours on low. Perfection!! Also, to make it more healthy, I used a pork tenderloin each time and LOVED it. No one missed the fat
Kirsten Hall
Was looking for a “green” pork recipe, but glad I found this one. Used a smaller cut and adobo chiles . A little spicier but we liked it better. Lettuce, cojito cheese, and grilled tortillas. Added a nice Mexican beer and it was simply outstanding!
Elizabeth Watson
There is a lot going on with this recipe but it works okay, The rub smelled really good but does get a little lost in the end. I’m not a big fan of meat cooked in the crockpot but it is too cold to bust out the smoker right now. I really want to try this rub on some ribs once the weather gets warmer. Overall easy and good recipe and one I’d make again.
William Cruz
If you don’t like spicy don’t make this! Very easy to follow and my pork turned out great! I used a 3 to 4 pound pork roast. I had all the ingredients and mixed them all together. I then made sure I rubbed the pork really really well with the seasoning. I used low sodium beef broth instead of water. I seared the pork in the pan just like the recipe says. That gave the outside a really good “crust” of seasonings. After six hours on high in my slow cooker it just fell apart. We are going to use it for carnitas and for pulled pork sandwiches for the week of work lunches. I highly recommend this! Very,very tasty!!!

 

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