Carnitas Tacos

User Reviews

5

6 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    15 mins

  • Cook Time

    10 hrs

  • Additional Time

    8 mins

  • Total Time

    10 hrs 23 mins

  • Servings

    8 people

  • Calories

    368 kcal

  • Cuisine

    Mexican, Tex-Mex

Carnitas Tacos

Carnitas Tacos are Mexican-style shredded pork tacos that are bursting with amazing flavor and texture. Slow-cooked with incredible aromatics, citrus, soda and Mexican beer. Finished off under the broiler for a quick crisping. Taco perfection!

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Ingredients

Servings

FOR THE SPICE RUB

  • 3 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoon Mexican oregano
  • 1 teaspoon cumin dried
  • 1 tablespoon ancho chile powder or regular chile powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

EVERYTHING ELSE

  • 1 to 5 lb pork shoulder such as a Boston butt, can also use bone-in, boneless
  • 1 large white onion sliced
  • 4 garlic roughly chopped, cloves
  • 2 bay leaf
  • lime don't discard the squeezed lime, juice of 1
  • orange juice don't discard the squeezed oranges, juice of 2 oranges
  • 1 cup Mexican beer lager is good
  • 1 cup Dr. Pepper with real sugar, if available (if not, just regular soda will work, or Coca-Cola
  • sea salt for finishing the cooked meat, coarse, optional

SERVED WITH

  • 8 to 12 corn tortilla warmed, or flour tortillas
  • onion chopped
  • Pico de Gallo
  • cilantro fresh
  • guacamole fresh
  • lime fresh, wedges

Instructions

  1. Mix all the spice ingredients together in a small bowl.
  2. Rub enough of the spice mixture over the pork to cover. Save the extra spice mixture.
  3. Place a layer of onions on the bottom of the slow cooker and then place the meat on top. Add the remaining ingredients, incluing the squeezed lime and oranges, as well as the remaining spice mixture.
  4. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours (or on high for 4 to 6 hours)
  5. Use two large spatulas to remove the pork to a large baking sheet. The meat will be extremely tender. Save 1 to 1 & ½ cups of the liquid from the slow cooker.
  6. Use two forks to shred the meat. Pour the reserved liquid all over the pulled meat.
  7. Place under a broiler on high for 4 to 8 minutes, keeping an eye on it as it cooks...don't let it burn! Turn the meat half-way through to ensure meat is gets crispy all over. Taste and sprinkle with more coarse sea salt, if desired.
  8. Served at once with warmed tortillas and garnishes.

Notes

  • To braise the pork in the oven, simply rub the pork with the spice mixture, then add all ingredients into a large roasting pan, with lid (a large Dutch oven works well) and place in a pre-heated oven at 350°F for 2 & ½ hours, or until very tender. 

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 368kcal (18%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 368 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 368kcal 18%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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Overall Rating

5

6 reviews
Excellent

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