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Slow Cooker Carnitas (beef Carnitas with beef Loin or Tenderloin)

Slow Cooker Carnitas

Slow Cooker Carnitas, made with tender beef loin or tenderloin, are a flavorful and effortless dish that transforms your meals into culinary delights. This recipe highlights the beauty of slow cooking, allowing the beef to absorb rich spices and become melt-in-your-mouth tender. Whether you’re filling tacos, creating burrito bowls, or serving it over rice, this versatile dish is perfect for busy weeknights or festive occasions. With minimal prep time and a slow cooker doing the hard work, you can focus on what really matters—enjoying delicious food with family and friends.

  • Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: Serves about 6

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds beef loin or tenderloin
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Trim excess fat from the beef and cut into large chunks.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine salt, black pepper, cumin, and paprika. Rub the mixture onto the beef chunks.
  3. Heat olive oil in a skillet and sear each piece of seasoned meat until browned (optional).
  4. Place the beef in the slow cooker with minced garlic. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours until fork-tender.
  5. Shred the meat using two forks and return it to the slow cooker to soak up juices.
  6. Serve warm with garnished fresh parsley.
  • Author: Natalia
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 hours
  • Category: Main
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 150g)
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 0g
  • Sodium: 700mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 7g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 6g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 42g
  • Cholesterol: 120mg

Keywords: For added flavor, consider marinating the beef overnight with spices. Feel free to substitute beef with pork for traditional carnitas. Broil shredded carnitas for a few minutes for extra crispiness.