Marcia Smart's Slow Cooker Carnitas Tacos

Step 1

Peel, halve & thinly slice the onion.

Step 2

Clean & roughly chop the cilantro.

Step 3

Dry the pork with paper towels. Salt (about 2.5 tsp) & pepper it all over. In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, heat the oil. Add the pork & sear it, rotating it to sear all sides until a crust forms, about 4 min per side; be sure to sear the ends as well. (To do this, it’s easiest to hold the pork with tongs to keep it in place.)

Step 4

Transfer the pork to a slow cooker & top it with the onion & bay leaf. Cover & cook on low for about 6 hrs.

Step 5

After 6 hrs, shred the pork with two forks. Remove & discard the bone (if using bone-in pork). Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker. Change the temperature setting to warm until you’re ready to serve. If the meat doesn’t fall apart, return it to the slow cooker & set on high for an additional 45-60 min before trying again.

Step 6

Serve the shredded pork with taco fixings: warm tortillas, pico de gallo, guacamole, cilantro & more (ex. salsa verde, pickled jalapeño peppers & sour cream). Enjoy!