Servings
Font
Back
Carnitas Tacos
5 from 6 votes

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!

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

Ingredients

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

    Cup of Yum
  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

Calories 368kcal (18%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8 people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 368

% Daily Value*

Calories 368kcal 18%

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