Slow Cooker Carnitas Lettuce Cups
with roasted cauliflower
Carnitas is Mexican pulled pork, a slow-cooked tender meat that balances well with the crunch of lettuce cups. Top the lettuce cups with tomatoes and avocado for lots of bright color and flavor.
Smarts: Restaurant-style carnitas is usually braised and deep fried for tender pieces of pork with crisp edges. To get those crunchy bits in this slow-cooker version, use the optional step to pan fry the portion of the pork for tonight's meal (save half of the pork for Thursday).
Smarts: Restaurant-style carnitas is usually braised and deep fried for tender pieces of pork with crisp edges. To get those crunchy bits in this slow-cooker version, use the optional step to pan fry the portion of the pork for tonight's meal (save half of the pork for Thursday).
Dependency
Tags
Proteins
Cuisines
Ingredients
Slow Cooker Carnitas (enough for 2 nights):
- Jalapenos - 1, chopped
- Garlic - 6 cloves, chopped
- Stock, any type - 1/2 cup
- Pork, boneless shoulder roast (enough for 2 nights) - 2 1/2 lbs (sometimes labeled pork butt; if using bone-in, purchase a slightly heavier cut)
- Oregano, dried - 3 tsp
- Cumin, ground - 2 tsp
- Salt - 2 tsp
- Black pepper - 1 tsp
Roasted Spiced Cauliflower:
- Cauliflower - 1 1/2 lbs, florets
- Foil - for roasting
- Oil, olive - 2 Tbsp
- Paprika, smoked - 2 tsp
- Pepitas / pumpkin seeds - 1/4 cup
Carnitas Lettuce Cups:
- Onions, medium - 1/4, finely diced
- Cilantro - 1/4 cup, leaves torn
- Avocados - 2, sliced
- Lettuce, romaine - 12 leaves
- Tomatoes, medium - 1, diced
- Slow-cooker carnitas (ingredients listed separately) - ~3 cups
- Salsa, any type - 1/3 cup
Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
Calories
543
Just a moment...
% Daily Value
Total Fat
33g
50%
Just a moment...
Saturated Fat
7g
34%
Just a moment...
Trans Fat
0g
Just a moment...
Cholesterol
95mg
32%
Just a moment...
Sodium
967mg
40%
Just a moment...
Total Carbohydrate
27g
9%
Just a moment...
Dietary Fiber
13g
53%
Just a moment...
Sugars
8g
Just a moment...
Protein
41g
Just a moment...
Prep
- Cauliflower - If prepping right before cooking, turn on oven before continuing with prep steps. Chop cauliflower into florets. (Can be done up to 4 days ahead)
- Jalapenos / Garlic / Onions / Cilantro - Prep as directed and store separately. (Can be done 1 day ahead)
- Slow cook pork - This makes enough for 2 nights. Combine garlic, jalapenos and stock in the bowl of a slow cooker. Add pork. Rub pork on the top and sides with oregano, cumin, salt and black pepper. Cook pork until tender and easily shredded with a fork, low for 7 to 8 hours (or high for 4 to 5 hours).
- Avocados / Lettuce / Tomatoes - Prep as directed.
Unlock this meal along with hundreds of smart meal plans and never stress about "What's for dinner?" again
Try for freeLearn More
Make
- Heat oven to 500F / 260C.
- Spread cauliflower out onto a sheet pan and cover tightly with foil. "Steam" in oven for 10 minutes.
- When cauliflower has finished steaming, remove foil. Toss cauliflower with olive oil, paprika and some salt and pepper. Return cauliflower to oven and continue roasting for 15 to 20 minutes.
- When pork is finished cooking, transfer to a cutting board (reserve the cooking liquid) and roughly chop. Reserve half the pork for Thursday.
- [Optional step:] If you'd like your pork crispy (like traditional carnitas), heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add some oil and then the portion of the pork for tonight's dinner. Cook, without stirring until dark golden brown on the bottom. Stir and continue cooking until pork is crisp and golden brown in spots.
- Drizzle the shredded pork with some of the cooking liquid (you likely won't not need all of it, but this will add some of the great flavor from cooking back in). Season with some salt and pepper.
- When cauliflower is finished roasting, transfer to a serving bowl and top with pepitas.
- Assemble lettuce cups by filling lettuce leaves with carnitas, avocados, tomatoes and salsa (or set it all out on the table and let everyone assemble their own). Enjoy cauliflower on the side.
Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
Calories
543
Just a moment...
% Daily Value
Total Fat
33g
50%
Just a moment...
Saturated Fat
7g
34%
Just a moment...
Trans Fat
0g
Just a moment...
Cholesterol
95mg
32%
Just a moment...
Sodium
967mg
40%
Just a moment...
Total Carbohydrate
27g
9%
Just a moment...
Dietary Fiber
13g
53%
Just a moment...
Sugars
8g
Just a moment...
Protein
41g
Just a moment...
Reviews
Ratings
50 reviews
yummy! Had to add more olive oil to make the spices and garlic mixture into anything resembling a sauce. Would be nice to make a chipotle crema or avocado crema sort of sauce to go with these. Really nice overall!
0 HelpfulVery delicious! Served with a side salad and corn tortillas. It is a little but fatty, but tasty!
0 HelpfulWe made this on the stovetop because we don't own a slow cooker -- had it all on low for about ~5 hours, IT WAS AMAZING. Loved the salad dressing as well.
0 Helpful