I am a massive fan of the food brand Siete, so when I saw their Carnita seasoning, I knew I had to try it! So here is my delicious recipe for healthy pork carnitas. 

This super delicious recipe seems really complicated to make, but it is actually super easy. Once you season and sear the meat, you can leave it in the slow cooker all day. It is perfect for preparing in the morning and will be ready to eat by dinnertime. Your friends and family will love this fun and flavorful dish!

What type of meat do I use for healthy pork carnitas?

For this recipe, I use two pork tenderloins. Typically, carnitas are made with pork shoulder but this recipe works perfectly well with pork tenderloin as well. The main difference is that the pork shoulder is a little bit fattier than the tenderloin, but with the added liquid and the long cook time, it will be fall-apart tender and SO delicious. This dish will quickly become a family favorite. 

What seasoning do I use for pork carnitas?

The brand Siete makes delicious and grain-free products, so when I saw their carnitas seasoning, I knew I had to try it! The flavors in this carnita seasoning are so good and make the meat super flavorful. A healthy dish doesn’t have to be boring, and you definitely will not be bored by all the delicious flavors in this recipe. Some of the spices in this seasoning are garlic, chile flakes, serrano powder, and other spices to make the meat absolutely delicious. Siete also has other delicious seasonings as well, give them a try!

How long does carnitas take to cook?

Carnitas take all day to cook in the slow cooker. Luckily, you can prepare it in the morning and leave it be all day, for it to be perfectly tender and delicious in time for dinner. I wouldn’t recommend trying to cook it mid-day for it to be ready by dinnertime, rather give it most of the day to cook and marinate in the slow cooker. Sometimes you can’t rush a good dish! Fortunately, this meat doesn’t need a lot of maintenance so once you put it in the slow cooker, you can forget about it until dinnertime. SO convenient!

Should I sear the pork before adding it to the slow cooker?

Absolutely! Searing the meat before adding it to the slow cooker helps the meat to be even more flavorful and helps the texture of the meat to be much better. After seasoning the two pork tenderloins with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, you are going to want to sear them in olive oil. The sweet spot is to sear it on each side until it is a golden color. Once that is done, you can add the meat, seasoning, and a little bit of water to your slow cooker. 

What do I serve with pork carnitas?

There are a few ways I like to serve pork carnitas. One way I like to serve pork carnitas is with a low-carb tortilla or in a bowl over rice. As for the low-carb tortilla, they should have plenty of options at any grocery store you go to. You can add toppings to make some delicious carnitas tacos! Making a bowl that is loaded with veggies is a great way to enjoy this meal and stay satisfied for a long time. Either way, you will have a healthy meal that is packed with flavor!

What toppings go well on pork carnitas?

There are so many different toppings you can add to enhance this meal and take it to the next level. For the most part, the toppings that go well are just whatever you normally prefer. As for me, I LOVE to have sauteed veggies with pork carnitas. You can also add shredded cheese, avocado, and/or black beans. If you’re unsure what to add, I would say start with whatever toppings you typically chose for tacos. 

Let me know how you enjoy this fabulous dish in the comments below. As always, thank you so much for stopping by. Be blessed and stay savvy!!!

If you like this recipe, check out these as well:

• Easy and Delicious Vegetable Quesadillas
• Easy and Tasty Vegetable Shrimp Tacos
• These Homemade Crunch Bars Are Your Next Favorite Snack