Question

Is it really necessary to rub seasoning over the surface of meat that’s going to be cooked in a crockpot? Couldn’t I just throw those ingredients in there and it still flavor it? I’m making carnitas.

Answer 1

For dishes like carnitas cooked in a crockpot, seasoning and rubbing the meat beforehand are not strictly necessary, but they can significantly enhance the flavor of the final dish. While the slow cooking process will infuse the meat with the flavors of the ingredients you add, seasoning the meat in advance can create a deeper, more well-rounded taste.

When you season and rub the meat, you allow the spices and salt to penetrate the surface, creating a tasty crust as the meat browns and caramelizes during cooking. This extra step also helps to bring out the flavors of the meat itself, making the dish more flavorful overall.

However, if you're short on time or prefer a more hands-off approach, you can certainly skip the seasoning and just add the ingredients directly to the crockpot. The meat will still cook and absorb the flavors of the other ingredients in the pot, especially if you're making carnitas, which typically involves cooking the pork with various herbs, spices, and citrus juices.

Here's a simplified approach for making carnitas in a crockpot without rubbing the meat:

Easy Crockpot Carnitas

Ingredients:

• 3-4 pounds pork shoulder or pork butt
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Tortillas, cilantro, diced onions, and lime wedges for serving

Instructions:

1. Place the sliced onions and minced garlic at the bottom of the crockpot.

2. Put the pork shoulder/butt on top of the onions and garlic.

3. In a bowl, mix together the ground cumin, dried oregano, smoked paprika, chili powder, orange juice, and lime juice.

4. Pour the mixture over the pork in the crockpot.

5. Season the pork with salt and pepper to taste.

6. Cover the crockpot and cook on low heat for 8 hours or on high heat for 4-5 hours until the pork is tender and easily shreddable.

7. Once the pork is done, remove it from the crockpot and shred it using two forks.

8. Optional: For crispy carnitas, you can crisp up the shredded meat by spreading it on a baking sheet and broiling it in the oven for a few minutes until it's browned and crispy.

9. Serve the carnitas in warm tortillas, garnished with cilantro, diced onions, and lime wedges.

By following this simplified method, you'll still end up with delicious and flavorful carnitas without the extra step of seasoning and rubbing the meat beforehand. Enjoy your tasty carnitas!