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Easy Tender Crockpot Carnitas Lettuce Wraps Recipe for Healthy Meals

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A simple, flavorful crockpot carnitas recipe wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves for a light yet indulgent meal. Perfect for busy weeknights and healthy eating.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 to 4 pounds pork shoulder (boneless, trimmed of excess fat)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for searing)
  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano (Mexican oregano preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 cup chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • Juice of 1 orange
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 head butter lettuce or iceberg lettuce (washed and leaves separated)
  • Optional toppings: diced tomatoes, sliced avocado, chopped cilantro, crumbled queso fresco, salsa

Instructions

  1. Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels and season all sides generously with salt, black pepper, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, and chili powder.
  2. Optional: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the pork on all sides, about 4-5 minutes per side.
  3. Place sliced onions and minced garlic at the bottom of the crockpot. Set the pork shoulder on top.
  4. Pour in chicken broth, orange juice, and lime juice around the pork, avoiding washing off the seasoning.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 9 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours until pork is tender and shreds easily.
  6. Remove pork from crockpot and shred finely with two forks. Return shredded pork to the crockpot juices and stir to soak up flavor.
  7. Separate lettuce leaves, rinse, and pat dry. Arrange on a serving platter.
  8. Spoon generous portions of carnitas into each lettuce leaf and add desired toppings. Serve immediately.
  9. Optional: For crispiness, spread shredded carnitas on a baking sheet and broil for 3-5 minutes, watching closely.

Notes

Searing the pork before slow cooking adds extra flavor but is optional. Keep lettuce leaves dry and assemble wraps just before serving to prevent sogginess. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 4 days. For crispier carnitas, broil shredded pork briefly before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot carnitas, lettuce wraps, healthy meals, slow cooker pork, easy dinner, low carb, gluten free

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