Go Back
+ servings
pineapple pork carnitas lettuce wraps
Print

Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork Carnitas Lettuce Wrap Tacos| Coconut Milk Cilantro Sauce

Succulent pineapple pork carnitas are simmered in the slow cooker until they are fork tender. Serve with lettuce wraps or tortillas!
Course Tacos
Cuisine Latin
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients

For the Carnitas

  • 3-5 pound bone-in pork shoulder
  • 1/2 pineapple cut into large chunks
  • 1 cup pineapple juice
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 2 Tbsp chipotles with 2 . adobo sauce
  • 2 tsp . oregano
  • 1 tsp . cinnamon
  • 3 cloves garlic smashed and skins removed
  • 1 onion quartered
  • 2 leaves bay
  • salt and pepper

For the Coconut Sauce

  • 1/4 cup unsweetened full fat coconut milk
  • 2 cloves garlic chopped
  • dash of salt and pepper
  • sprinkle of fresh cilantro

Extra Toppings

  • sliced avocado
  • limes
  • cilantro

Instructions

  • Season all sides of the pork shoulder with salt, cinnamon, and oregano.
  • Place quartered onions at the bottom of a slow cooker. Put the pork shoulder on top of the onion.
  • Pour in the pineapple juice and orange juice. Throw in the chipotles with the adobo sauce, bay leaf, and 3 smashed garlic cloves. Top the pork shoulder with the pineapple slices.
  • Cover the slow cooker and set on low speed for 8 hours or high speed for 4 hours. 8 hours will lend the most tender meat, but 4 hours will still be succulent.
  • Remove the pork shoulder and let rest for at least 10 minutes. Reserve the pineapple.
  • While the pork is resting, combine the coconut milk, last 2 cloves of garlic, and salt and pepper. In a small saucepan over medium high heat, simmer the coconut milk mixture for about 3 minutes or until it's reduced a bit. Set aside.
  • With two forks, shred the pork carnitas into a bowl, adding some of the juices from the slow cooker to keep it moist.
  • Serve the carnitas with lettuce wraps or warm tortillas and the reserved pineapple. A squeeze of lime and cilantro leaves is optional. Top with the coconut sauce.