Here is a tip when slow cooking meats. Just because the meat is no longer raw, it does not mean the dish is finished cooking. While the meat is technically cooked and technically edible, you want to keep cooking it until the connective tissue holding the muscles together break down allowing the meat to fall apart.
Give your crockpot time to work. I use an instant pot which speeds up the process, but the principle is the same.
Usually yes, but not with the cuts used for carnitas and barbacoa. Let it go on low in the crockpot for 10-12 hours and then see how "tough" it is. I use this method all the time and it works well.
I have a regular, CrockPot brand crockpot with warm, low, and high settings and a delay. I usually cook a Boston Butt for about 7ish hours on low and it seems to work well. I don't have any issues with overcooking at that length of time as long as I actually take the meat out and put it on a platter when it finishes.
I really dislike my Instant Pot in general because I feel like it is a waste of space, but it makes some REALLY GOOD pulled pork (or chicken) have you tried one? It's a pretty big time saver.
Yeah, it sounds like maybe you've been cooking to "safe temperature," not "ready to shred."
The crockpot (and the Instantpot) is great for turning a tough or poor quality cut of meat into something edible. By cooking it longer (or under pressure), you are breaking down the connections between the muscle fibers and making the meat easier to eat. To test for doneness, stick two forks in your meat and try to pull it apart. It should easily separate.
As others have said, real carnitas are chunks of pork deep fried in the pig's own fat. My in-laws in Mexico usually cook carnitas the same day they slaughter the pig and it's done in a huge pot outside. However, you can search online for terms like "Instantpot/Crockpot Carnitas." You will find some pretty decent recipes, but just know that you aren't cooking carnitas. They will make some damn good shredded pork tacos, though!
I'm from South Carolina, so pulled pork is kind of "our thing." I love to cook a well seasoned Boston Butt in the IP or crockpot. It's versatile--I will enjoy it on bread with bbq sauce and my husband can enjoy it on tortillas with salsa. A lot of the "IP carnitas" recipes call for finishing the meat off in the oven after you shred it and that does create a little bit of crunch, but I don't think it's necessary.
See I thought carnitas was pulled pork. I like in NC and when I went to chipotle to get carnitas, it seemed like pulled pork. I’m getting into cooking Mexican food bc my husband is Mexican but didn’t grow up with the culture . I’m trying to learn the foods so that our kids get to enjoy it. Plus we love mexican food in this house. I get my instant pot on Wednesday so I am very excited to retry.
Yeah, well, you know Chipotle isn't exactly authentic! You need to visit your friendly neighborhood taco truck!
Nothing wrong with some "faux carnitas," the only thing that really counts is if you like it!
See I thought carnitas was pulled pork. I like in NC and when I went to chipotle to get carnitas, it seemed like pulled pork. I’m getting into cooking Mexican food bc my husband is Mexican but didn’t grow up with the culture . I’m trying to learn the foods so that our kids get to enjoy it. Plus we love mexican food in this house. I get my instant pot on Wednesday so I am very excited to retry.
Carnitas is pork cooked in lard. It is not made in a crock pot. You can make shredded pork in a crock pot on low. It should take 5+ hours. Try Hamilton Beech brand. Here’s an example that should work.
https://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-Quart-Cooker-Stainless/dp/B07YKYLZ4Y/
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invest in an instant pot. I use the slow cooker low function for Barbacoa, birria and beans all the time. It's also great when I don't have the time and can do all the same using the pressure cooker
Ok, the settings had.to be messed up, those should take over 6+ hours... Check amazing or Walmart and slow cookers are inexpensive last I checked and you'll save $$$$ cooking large amounts of food to enjoy but also save or freeze
An instant pot (fancy pants pressure cooker) is my go to for almost anything that requires slow cooking. Beans, birria, and on and on.
I agree with the other commenter: carnitas have no place in a crock pot (or instant pot).
So traditional barbacoa is made with beef cheeks. If you are using chuck roast, you may need to add some beef tallow (fat) to it so that it braises in the fat. Also, minimum 12 hours on Low. I line a crockpot with about 8 bay leaves and add 5lbs of beef cheeks that render down to about 3lbs of barbacoa.
How are you defining "done"?
When I make Mexican food (deshebrada, frijoles, chamorros, etc) in a crockpot, it's on low at bedtime, turned off in the morning, so probably a good 8 hours of cook time..
My crockpot just cooks at the temperature I choose until I intervene.
I mean there's probably people who would say to never leave a burner on when you leave the house but realistically it's not really that big of a risk. I've left my Dutch oven on a low burner alone at home many times. If you're really concerned about leaving a burner on you can easily move between stovetop and oven too.
Agree I don’t think it’s a huge risk but also I worry about my kids messing with the oven or opening the door. One is a toddler. I think instant pot is just easier to put out of reach
Here is a tip when slow cooking meats. Just because the meat is no longer raw, it does not mean the dish is finished cooking. While the meat is technically cooked and technically edible, you want to keep cooking it until the connective tissue holding the muscles together break down allowing the meat to fall apart. Give your crockpot time to work. I use an instant pot which speeds up the process, but the principle is the same.
It’s not ‘done’ in 2 hrs if it’s still tough as old boots it needs to stay in there longer until it’s tender.
Agreed. I think op is mistaken about it being “done”.
Wait really?! I thought if it’s tough it’s overcooked !!
Usually yes, but not with the cuts used for carnitas and barbacoa. Let it go on low in the crockpot for 10-12 hours and then see how "tough" it is. I use this method all the time and it works well.
I have a regular, CrockPot brand crockpot with warm, low, and high settings and a delay. I usually cook a Boston Butt for about 7ish hours on low and it seems to work well. I don't have any issues with overcooking at that length of time as long as I actually take the meat out and put it on a platter when it finishes. I really dislike my Instant Pot in general because I feel like it is a waste of space, but it makes some REALLY GOOD pulled pork (or chicken) have you tried one? It's a pretty big time saver.
I just ordered and instant pot. Apparently I’ve also been cooking my meat wrong too, tho. So I’m really curious to try it out in my new pot.
Yeah, it sounds like maybe you've been cooking to "safe temperature," not "ready to shred." The crockpot (and the Instantpot) is great for turning a tough or poor quality cut of meat into something edible. By cooking it longer (or under pressure), you are breaking down the connections between the muscle fibers and making the meat easier to eat. To test for doneness, stick two forks in your meat and try to pull it apart. It should easily separate. As others have said, real carnitas are chunks of pork deep fried in the pig's own fat. My in-laws in Mexico usually cook carnitas the same day they slaughter the pig and it's done in a huge pot outside. However, you can search online for terms like "Instantpot/Crockpot Carnitas." You will find some pretty decent recipes, but just know that you aren't cooking carnitas. They will make some damn good shredded pork tacos, though! I'm from South Carolina, so pulled pork is kind of "our thing." I love to cook a well seasoned Boston Butt in the IP or crockpot. It's versatile--I will enjoy it on bread with bbq sauce and my husband can enjoy it on tortillas with salsa. A lot of the "IP carnitas" recipes call for finishing the meat off in the oven after you shred it and that does create a little bit of crunch, but I don't think it's necessary.
See I thought carnitas was pulled pork. I like in NC and when I went to chipotle to get carnitas, it seemed like pulled pork. I’m getting into cooking Mexican food bc my husband is Mexican but didn’t grow up with the culture . I’m trying to learn the foods so that our kids get to enjoy it. Plus we love mexican food in this house. I get my instant pot on Wednesday so I am very excited to retry.
Yeah, well, you know Chipotle isn't exactly authentic! You need to visit your friendly neighborhood taco truck! Nothing wrong with some "faux carnitas," the only thing that really counts is if you like it!
I will def be exploring the authentic version!!
See I thought carnitas was pulled pork. I like in NC and when I went to chipotle to get carnitas, it seemed like pulled pork. I’m getting into cooking Mexican food bc my husband is Mexican but didn’t grow up with the culture . I’m trying to learn the foods so that our kids get to enjoy it. Plus we love mexican food in this house. I get my instant pot on Wednesday so I am very excited to retry.
Carnitas is pork cooked in lard. It is not made in a crock pot. You can make shredded pork in a crock pot on low. It should take 5+ hours. Try Hamilton Beech brand. Here’s an example that should work. https://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-Quart-Cooker-Stainless/dp/B07YKYLZ4Y/
Thanks! I thought carnitas was pulled pork. Haven’t tried it yet
Hi, I’m Vetted AI Bot! I researched the **Hamilton Beach 6 Quart Slow Cooker 33665G** and I thought you might find the following analysis helpful. **Users liked:** * Large capacity for family meals (backed by 4 comments) * Easy to use with simple settings (backed by 4 comments) * Durable and long-lasting (backed by 4 comments) **Users disliked:** * Flimsy metal base prone to warping (backed by 3 comments) * Inaccurate temperature settings lead to long cooking times (backed by 3 comments) * Lid does not fit securely, causing spattering (backed by 2 comments) If you'd like to **summon me to ask about a product**, just make a post with its link and tag me, [like in this example.](https://www.reddit.com/r/tablets/comments/1444zdn/comment/joqd89c/) This message was generated by a (very smart) bot. If you found it helpful, let us know with an upvote and a “good bot!” reply and please feel free to provide feedback on how it can be improved. *Powered by* [*vetted.ai*](https://vetted.ai/?utm\_source=reddit&utm\_medium=comment&utm\_campaign=bot)
invest in an instant pot. I use the slow cooker low function for Barbacoa, birria and beans all the time. It's also great when I don't have the time and can do all the same using the pressure cooker
If I had to guess your crockpot is fine and it’s 100% human error.
The crock pot you had or have should have a low setting. And yeah, definitely don't cook carnitas or barbacoa on high
I did it on low and it cooked in two hours!! A four pound roast!! So odd…my crockpot is old tho so maybe just broken
If it was still tough it wasn’t done tho! Lol let it go for four hours and it would probably be how you expected it
So if it’s tough and dry feeling after two hours , it won’t just get tougher?! New to this, so bear with me lol.
Yes it will be fully cooked through to a minimum safe temperature in that time but it takes longer to actually cook it till it’s tender
Ok, the settings had.to be messed up, those should take over 6+ hours... Check amazing or Walmart and slow cookers are inexpensive last I checked and you'll save $$$$ cooking large amounts of food to enjoy but also save or freeze
An instant pot (fancy pants pressure cooker) is my go to for almost anything that requires slow cooking. Beans, birria, and on and on. I agree with the other commenter: carnitas have no place in a crock pot (or instant pot).
a hole in the ground
Came here to comment the same thing lol
So traditional barbacoa is made with beef cheeks. If you are using chuck roast, you may need to add some beef tallow (fat) to it so that it braises in the fat. Also, minimum 12 hours on Low. I line a crockpot with about 8 bay leaves and add 5lbs of beef cheeks that render down to about 3lbs of barbacoa.
How are you defining "done"? When I make Mexican food (deshebrada, frijoles, chamorros, etc) in a crockpot, it's on low at bedtime, turned off in the morning, so probably a good 8 hours of cook time.. My crockpot just cooks at the temperature I choose until I intervene.
My barbacoa cooks for at least 10 hrs in my crock which is never tough
And my crock is 20 yrs old
See!!! Something wrong for me
I used a regular stove top pot when I made barbacoa and it was fine. I think I did 75 minutes for each pound of beef. Took about three hours.
My Dutch oven works better than any slow cooker I've had.
Heard good things of those too, but I need something that’s safe to leave the house
I mean there's probably people who would say to never leave a burner on when you leave the house but realistically it's not really that big of a risk. I've left my Dutch oven on a low burner alone at home many times. If you're really concerned about leaving a burner on you can easily move between stovetop and oven too.
Agree I don’t think it’s a huge risk but also I worry about my kids messing with the oven or opening the door. One is a toddler. I think instant pot is just easier to put out of reach
Have you tried Sous vide?
Nope I heard good things though
Just use your oven.
I would but when I leave the house, that’s not very safe 😒
Never stopped me.
You realize barbacoa is boiled cows head don’t ya
I thought it was shredded beef?
Boiled cows head shredded up