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Big changes are coming for the Flavor Mosaic family very soon! No, there is no stork delivering a little bundle of joy. However, a big change is coming that is going to require us to be eating simple dinners, and more budget friendly summer meals for awhile.

Drum roll please….Mr. Flavor Mosaic is starting his own business. He is becoming an entrepreneur! It is exciting, a little scary, and while the future looks promising, it means in the short term, we have to stretch every dollar in our budget while he gets his business off the ground.

Stretching a dollar is not new to us. I was the youngest of five kids growing up and Mr. Flavor Mosaic was raised by his single, working mom, which meant money was always tight. I have learned that one of the best ways to stretch those dollars during tight times, especially around the 1st and 15th of each month, when bills come due, is to reduce the grocery bill. Even though we will save money, we will still have simple but wholesome budget friendly meals like this Zesty Ranch Slow Cooker Carnitas.

My sister and brother-in-law were coming for dinner this weekend, and I needed to keep this meal under $20 if we are going to stay on budget. One way I save money is to stock up on items when they are on sale, like these Kraft Ranch Salad Dressings and Zesty Italian Dressings when they are on rollback at Walmart.

We like to put cheese on our Zesty Ranch Slow Cooker Carnitas tacos. And I scored these Kraft Pepper Jack Natural Cheese Big Slices on rollback in the packaged deli aisle of the store.

Off to the meat section for the pork shoulder and to the produce section for the tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, cilantro, and limes. Pick up some flour tortillas, and I have everything I need for our Zesty Ranch Slow Cooker Carnitas.

What I love about these Zesty Ranch Slow Cooker Carnitas, other than being budget friendly, is that the recipe is so simple. The slow cooker does all the work. In the morning I season the pork shoulder with salt, pepper, and cumin, mix together the Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing with olive oil and pour it over the pork in the slow cooker and then cook on low for 8 to 10 hours. Then I am free for the day to get things done.

After about 8 hours when the pork is tender, I shred the pork with two forks and then put it back in the slow cooker to absorb the flavorful juices. Shortly before serving, I prepare the pico de gallo and warm up the tortillas. Then people can make their own tacos with the pork carnitas, Kraft Pepper Jack Natural Slices cheese, pico de gallo, and Kraft Classic Ranch Dressing.

Also, for a variation, try using my Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing with the tacos.

Then I have a delicious, wholesome meal for 6 that everyone loves for only $20. What will you make with the Kraft products on rollback at Walmart?

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Recipe

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5 from 1 vote

Zesty Ranch Slow Cooker Carnitas - A Simple Budget Friendly Meal

Zesty Ranch Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas are delicious with slow-cooked pork shoulder seasoned with cumin, Zesty Italian Dressing, and Ranch Seasoning.

Course Main Dishes, Pork

Cuisine Mexican

Keyword Carnitas, Ranch Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas, Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 8

Total Time 8 15

Servings

Calories 565kcal

Author Michele @ Flavor Mosaic

Ingredients

2 pounds pork shoulder
Salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon ground cumin
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing
1 cup chicken broth
12 flour tortillas
4 slices Kraft Pepper Jack Natural Slices Cheese
1/2 cup Kraft Classic Ranch Dressing
1 recipe of pico de gallo

Instructions

Rinse and dry the pork shoulder. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and cumin. Mix the Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing with the olive oil and pour over pork.
Place the pork in a slow cooker. Pour the chicken broth over the pork. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high 4 hours to 5 hours.
Once the meat is tender, remove from slow cooker and pull it apart with two forks. Place the pork back into the slow cooker to absorb the flavor of the liquid.
Meanwhile, make the pico de gallo, according to the recipe.
Place the flour tortillas between two paper towels on a plate. Microwave for about 30 seconds to heat them and make them pliable.
To assemble the carnitas, place 2 to 3 tablespoons of the pork into the tortilla, top with 1/3 of a slice of cheese. Add pico de gallo, and drizzle with Kraft Classic Ranch Dressing. Enjoy!

Nutrition

If you like this recipe try my Slow Cooker Country Style Pork Ribs.

Or try these kid-friendly Slow Cooker Pizza Sloppy Joes.

Or for a healthier option try my Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore.

or try my Slow Cooker Asian Sesame Meatballs.

Comments

Tara says

July 27, 2014 at 2:00 pm

How delicious do these look, man I could go for that right now!!

- Michele says
  
  July 27, 2014 at 4:37 pm
  
  Thanks Tara! Here I will pass you a plate! 😉
  
Heather Brummett (@HeatherBblogs) says

July 27, 2014 at 5:08 pm

This looks AMAZING!

- Michele says
  
  July 27, 2014 at 5:19 pm
  
  Thanks Heather!
  
Renee's Kitchen Adventures says

July 27, 2014 at 7:18 pm

These look amazing and love that they are so budget friendly! Congrats to Mr. Flavor Mosiac on his new venture!

- Michele says
  
  July 28, 2014 at 5:49 am
  
  Thanks Renee
  
Paula says

July 28, 2014 at 6:30 am

Wow, this looks fantastic!

- Michele says
  
  July 28, 2014 at 6:38 am
  
  Thanks Paula!
  
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says

July 28, 2014 at 7:19 am

This is one of our favorite types of dinner! And it’s so good, nobody is wiser on how inexpensive it is! Great job 🙂

- Michele says
  
  July 28, 2014 at 7:21 am
  
  Thanks Aimee! It is one of our favorites too. We just had it for our Sunday supper yesterday. We love it.
  
Platter Talk says

July 28, 2014 at 11:19 am

Fantastic job with this recipe; I love pork carnitas and would like a bite of this now!

Marion@Life Tastes Good says

July 28, 2014 at 4:12 pm

Oh my goodness these look sooo good!! I need to make these soon! Congrats to Mr. Mosaic!! Exciting times!!

Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) says

July 28, 2014 at 5:40 pm

I really love this post! First off, I am always in search of better budget-friendly meals. Especially slow cooker ones for later work nights. And I have been dying for tacos lately! This would be so tasty. Maybe with a little pickled red onion… yum!

- Michele says
  
  July 28, 2014 at 6:21 pm
  
  Hi Kim, I know that is what I love this recipe. Pickled red onions would be a great topping for these tacos. Thanks for stopping by.
  
Sarah says

August 1, 2014 at 8:06 am

I must try these! I bet the ranch is so good on the pork!

- Michele says
  
  August 2, 2014 at 6:22 am
  
  Thanks Sarah!
  
Deborah H. Bateman says

August 3, 2014 at 8:23 am

Thanks for sharing this recipe. I have bookmarked it and plan on trying it. My family loves Mexican food and this is a different recipe we can try. If you get a chance stop by my blog Recipe for Life at deborah-bateman.blogspot.com
Blessings,
Deborah

Michelle says

August 7, 2014 at 10:36 pm

I adore carnitas, and this recipe looks amazing! I will definitely have to try it out soon – hopefully when the KRAFT products are still on rollback at Walmart. #client

- Michele says
  
  August 8, 2014 at 3:43 am
  
  Hi Michelle, I love carnitas also. Let me know if you try them.
  
Mila says

December 6, 2014 at 3:57 am

This looks absolutely delicious!!! The only thing I’d substitute – the store-bought sauce and make my own, more healthy option. Anyway, thanks fro sharing! 🙂

Theresa @DearCreatives says

February 11, 2015 at 1:53 pm

Hi Michele, These look really yummy. I am always looking for good crock pot recipes. Pinned for later.