Listen, y’all, I know just as well as the next guy how chaotic dinnertime can be. This Whole 30-approved, Pork Carnitas recipe has become a lifesaver in my kitchen, and today I’m here to share it with you! The tender, juicy pork, intentionally seasoned and slow-cooked to perfection is just too delicious of a secret not to share. It’s one of my favorite go-to recipes, guaranteed to not only satisfy your family’s taste buds, but also to fit seamlessly into the hectic nature of life as a make-ahead freezer meal.
Whether you’re a parent shuffling kids from school to practice, a workaholic with no time to spare, or a friend looking to lend a hand to someone you love, these carnitas have your back. Prepped in advance and stored in the freezer, simply pull it out when you pour your morning coffee and let the slow cooker do its thing during the hustle and bustle of your day. By the time dinner time rolls around, you’ll have a hearty, healthy, Whole 30-compliant dinner ready for enjoyment.
So, roll up your sleeves, and let’s five into the most hands-off secret weapon you can have in your dinner arsenal!
Why You’ll Love this Easy Pork Carnitas Whole 30 Recipe
- Whole 30 Compliant: For my health-conscious friends, these Pork Carnitas are Whole 30 Approved, helping you stick to your dietary goals.
- Family-Friendly: Kids love the savory, tender meat and can customize their dinner with their favorite toppings.
- Effortless: This recipe is easy to prepare, perfect for those in need of a hassle-free dinner option.
- Leftover Potential: Any leftovers can easily be repurposed into new meals, like tacos, quesadillas, and stuffed sweet potatoes.
- 1 gallon freezer bag
- Aluminum foil
- 1 Slow Cooker
- 1 Sheet pan
- 2 lb Pork butt skinless/boneless
- 1 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 1/2 Onion chopped
- 1/2 Jalapeño seeded and diced
- 1/3 cup Orange juice 1 orange
- 2 tsp Dried oregano
- 1 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp Onion powder
- 2 tsp Olive oil
- Prepare a gallon freezer bag, labeling according to your preferred method.
- Rub pork with spice blend, and place into the freezer bag.
- Add all remaining ingredients to the freezer bag.
- Seal the bag, removing as much air as possible. Store in the freezer for up to three months.
- Thaw overnight in the fridge or in the morning in water (the meal may not be 100% thawed but that is okay).
- Add four balls of aluminum foil to the bottom of a slow cooker.
- Place freezer bag contents atop foil balls, cook for 9-10 hours.
- Remove from the slow cooker and shred.
- Place shredded pork on a sheet pan, drizzle with sauce from the slow cooker.
- Broil on high for 2-4 minutes.
- Serve over cauliflower rice, and top with your favorite whole 30-compliant taco toppings.
Equipment Needed to Make Pork Carnitas Freezer Meal!
- 1 gallon freezer bag
- Aluminum foil
- 1 Slow Cooker
- 1 Sheet pan
Ingredients for your Pork Carnitas Whole 30 Recipe
- 2 lb Pork butt, skinless/boneless
- 1 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 1/2 Onion, chopped
- 1/2 Jalapeño, seeded and diced
- 1/3 cup Orange juice, 1 orange
- Spice Blend:
- 2 tsp Dried oregano
- 1 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp Onion powder
- 2 tsp Olive oil
How to Make Pork Carnitas Whole 30 Recipe
Prep/Freezer Directions:
- Prepare a gallon freezer bag, labeling according to your preferred method.
- Rub pork with spice blend, and place into the freezer bag.
- Add all remaining ingredients to the freezer bag.
- Seal the bag, removing as much air as possible. Store in the freezer for up to three months.
Slow Cooking Directions:
- Thaw overnight in the fridge or in the morning in water (the meal may not be 100% thawed but that is okay).
- Add four balls of aluminum foil to the bottom of a slow cooker.
- Place freezer bag contents atop foil balls, cook for 9-10 hours.
- Remove from the slow cooker and shred.
- Place shredded pork on a sheet pan, drizzle with sauce from the slow cooker.
- Broil on high for 2-4 minutes.
- Serve over cauliflower rice, and top with your favorite whole 30-compliant taco toppings.
What to Pair with your Quick Porn Carnitas
Sides:
- Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
- Mexican Street Corn Salad
- Mango Avocado Salsa
Desserts:
- Mixed Berry Parfait
- Whole 30 Chocolate Avocado Pudding
- Coconut Mango Chia Pudding
Mocktails:
- Whole 30 Piña Colada Mocktail
- Cucumber Mint Cooler
- Sparkling Basil Lemonade
Popular Substitutions and Additions
Substitutions:
- Poblano Peppers: Milder than jalapeños, poblano peppers still add great flavor to Pork Carnitas with a lower level of spice.
- Apple juice: If you don’t have an orange or orange juice on hand, you can substitute this ingredient with apple juice. Just add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to increase the acidity.
Additions:
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: For an extra kick, add ¼ tsp of crushed red pepper flakes to the recipe.
- Bay Leaves: For depth of flavor, toss a bay leaf or two to the recipe.
How to Reheat and Store Pork Carnitas Whole30 Freezer Meal
Best way to store Make-Ahead Pork Carnitas leftovers?
It is best to store any leftover Pork Carnitas in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Allow your leftovers to cool before storing in the containers.
How long will Pork Carnitas last in the fridge?
Leftovers are good in the fridge for 3-5 days in the fridge.
Can I freeze easy Pork Carnitas leftovers?
We recommend making this recipe as a raw freezer meal, which means prepping it first, then freezing, and cooking fresh when needed. To do this, prepare your gallon freezer bag, then rub pork with the spice blend, and place in the freezer bag, then add all the remaining ingredients to the freezer bag. Then seal, remove as much air as possible, and store in freezer. If you have already cooked the meal, and are looking to freeze your leftovers, simply allow the recipe to cool to room temperature, then place in resealable freezer bag, remove excess air, store in freezer for up to three months.
How to Reheat Leftover Pork Carnitas
This recipe can be reheated on the stovetop, or in the microwave. When using the microwave make sure to not overheat, as this will change the consistency and flavor of the recipe.
Convenient Pork Carnitas Whole 30 Recipe FAQs
Other Mexican Inspired Dishes You’ll Love
- Carne Asada Whole 30 Approved
- Barbacoa Beef Bowl Whole 30 Approved
- Salsa Verde Chicken Nachos
- Chicken Fajitas Freezer Meal Recipe
- 5 Ingredient Chimichurri Steak and Potatoes Freezer Meal
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