By Kelly Bogard

Is there a gadget or tool in your kitchen that you just can’t live without? Would it turn your world upside down if it broke? For me, my go-to kitchen tool is my slow cooker, especially now that it’s starting to get cooler and my days seem to be jumbling into one big holiday event.

One of my husband’s favorite meals is Slow Cooked Carnitas—a quick and easy pork roast, shredded and served with a sweet and savory sauce.

carnitas - ingredientsFor Slow Cooked Carnitas, you will need…
2-3 lbs. carnitas or pork roast, chunked
1 medium yellow onion, quartered
3-5 cloves of garlic, chopped
2 cans French onion soup
1 jar apricot preserves
salt and pepper to taste

The best part is I can pull this recipe together in 5 minutes flat, throw it in the slow cooker, and it will be ready for supper that night.

First things first. Season the pork with salt and pepper.
carnitas - raw

Place the seasoned pork in the bottom of your slow cooker. (I use a liner for easy clean up.)
carnitas - seasoned

Next, add your onion and garlic over the meat.
carnitas - vegetables

Spread the preserves over the mixture in the slow cooker. I use sugar-free preserves, just to make it a little lighter on the carbs. But I’ll admit, the regular preserves make it a little sweeter and tastier.
carnitas - preserves

Pour the French onion soup over the preserves and stir to incorporate. Set the slow cooker on low, and heat for 6 to 8 hours or until fork tender.

Finally, remove the cooked carnitas from the slow cooker and shred with a fork or by hand. Reserve the sauce and onions for serving.
carnitas - shredded

This dish is great with tortillas or over rice and can be used for several meals in a week. Next time you have a day you know will be crazy, pull out your slow cooker and make this family-pleaser.

From all of us at Texas Table Top, enjoy!

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Slow Cooked Carnitas

Summary: Slow cooked pork with a sweet and savory sauce

carnitas - final

Ingredients

  • 2-3 lbs. carnitas or pork roast, chunked
  • 1 medium yellow onion, quartered
  • 3-5 cloves of garlic, chopped
  • 2 cans French onion soup
  • 1 jar apricot preserves
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Season the pork with salt and pepper.
  • Place in the bottom of a lined slow cooker.
  • Add the quartered onion and chopped garlic to the meat.
  • Spoon in apricot preserves to cover meat.
  • Pour soup over the mixture and stir to combine.
  • Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or until fork tender.
  • Remove meat and shred with a fork or by hand.
  • Reserve sauce for dipping or pouring over meat.
  • Serve over rice or in a tortilla.

   

Prep time (duration): 5-10 minutes

Cook time (duration): 6-8 hours

Number of servings (yield): 4-6

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