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keto al pastor carnitas with avocado in a lettuce wrap
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4.84 from 6 votes

Al Pastor Carnitas (Keto, Low-Carb)

Tender and full of flavors, keto Mexican recipes don't get much easier than this slow cooker favorite which the whole family will love!
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time4 hours
Total Time4 hours 20 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Keyword: crock pot, pork, slow cooker stew
Servings: 10
Calories: 151kcal
Author: Chef Jenn

Ingredients

  • 3 pound pork shoulder roast
  • 1 tbsp Mexican oregano
  • 1 tbsp cumin powder
  • 1 tsp chipotle powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 small onion peeled and quartered
  • 1 small jalapeno seeds removed
  • 6 cloves of garlic smashed
  • 1 cup chicken broth low sodium
  • 1 cup pineapple juice
  • Juice and zest from one lemon
  • Juice and zest from one lime

Instructions

  • Combine the Mexican oregano, chipotle powder, salt, and cumin in a small bowl. Rub it all over the meat. Heat 2-3 tbsp of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the meat on all sides until it is brown. Transfer the meat and pan juices to the slow cooker.
  • Wash the lemon and lime. Using a vegetable peeler, peel thin strips of the skin and add them to the slow cooker. Juice the lemon and lime, adding the juices to the slow cooker.
  • Add the chicken broth, pineapple juice, peeled and smashed garlic cloves, onion, and jalapeno to the slow cooker. Cook over high for 3-4 hours or until meat is fall-apart tender. Turn halfway through the cooking time.
  • Remove the meat from the slow cooker and set it aside until it is cool enough to handle.
  • Pull the pork into large shreds, picking out and discarding any fatty bits.
  • Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a large skillet over fairly high heat, but not smoking. Add the meat to the pan, letting it sit a few minutes to crisp up some of the edges.
  • Remove from the skillet, season it with salt and pepper, and serve in lettuce wraps, or serve with your favorite keto Mexican sides like avocado, lime crema (sour cream and lime juice), or low-carb tortillas.

Video

Notes

I've not included the pineapple juice and veggies in the nutritional count because you're not consuming them.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 151kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 389mg | Potassium: 392mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 102IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 2mg | Net Carbohydrates: 5g