Pineapple Chipotle Carnitas

These pineapple chipotle carnitas are made in slow-cooker. This recipe will make you want to have "Taco Tuesday" every night of the week!

This is a great recipe for a party because it can be made in advance and/or in larger quantities. The pork will stay juicy and flavorful, even while your guests enjoy the party and mingle. Try this for your next Cinco de Mayo gathering!

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• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Equipment
• Storage
• Top tip
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• Food safety
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Ingredients

• pork
• sea salt
• black pepper
• chili powder
• onion powder
• cumin 
• oregano
• garlic powder 
• chipotle purée
• lime juice 
• cilantro 
• apple juice 
• pineapple chunks 
• Purple cabbage
• Sour cream 
• Queso fresco

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Place your pork tenderloin in the crock pot. Add all dry ingredients to a small bowl and mix. Pour all wet ingredients over pork, then sift your dry ingredients over. 

Cook on low for 8 hours or in high for 4-5 hours. Pork will shred easily when done. 

Hint: this party favorite can be served out of the same crock pot that it is cooked in for a simple and impressive taco bar station.

Substitutions

• Pork - substitute chicken breast or thighs
• Queso Fresco - use your favorite shredded cheese
• Purple cabbage - use shredded iceberg lettuce, or your favorite lettuce
• Canned pineapple - use 15 oz of cubed fresh pineapple

Variations

• Spicy - add 2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 2 chopped chili peppers (jalapeno or serrano)
• Bowl - instead of serving as a taco, make it a bowl by serving over rice and beans
• Kid friendly - serve over macaroni and cheese

Equipment

This recipe is meant for cooking in a crock pot (slow cooker), but you can use a Dutch oven, with a lid, in a conventional oven. Cook at 350 degrees F with the lid on for 3 hours, checking every hour to make sure there is enough liquid remaining, add ½ cup chicken stock if liquid gets low.

Storage

Store the cooked carnitas in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

📖 Recipe

Food safety

• Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
• Reheat leftovers to 165 °F (74 °C)
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.