Pork Tacos Recipe
Pork Tacos Recipe
Table of Contents
Pork Tacos Recipe
This mouthwatering pork tacos recipe is perfect for any taco night, combining ten der, juicy pork with zesty toppings and a flavorful seasoning blend. Easy to prepare and packed with authentic flavors, these tacos will quickly become a household favorite. Whether you are grilling or slow cooking the pork, the result is a savory, satisfying meal with a delicious balance of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors. Ready in just under two hours, this Pork Tacos Recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings with friends and family.
Description
If you’re craving a taco that’s bursting with flavor, this pork tacos recipe is the ultimate choice. The pork is slow cooked until it’s incredibly tender and shredded to perfection, absorbing all the smoky, spicy, and tangy seasonings that make this dish truly special. Whether you’re using a slow cooker, instant pot, or grilling the pork, this recipe can be easily customized to your preferred cooking method.
The beauty of Pork Tacos Recipe lies in the versatility of the pork itself. Pork shoulder or pork butt are ideal cuts because they are marbled with fat, making them juicy and flavorful after hours of slow cooking or grilling. Once cooked, the pork is shredded and paired with fresh, zesty toppings such as cilantro, onion, and a squeeze of lime. For added flavor, you can drizzle a homemade salsa, avocado crema, or a smoky chipotle sauce over the top.
The seasoning for the pork is crucial in this recipe. A mix of chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and a touch of cayenne pepper gives the pork an irresistible depth of flavor. The seasonings are combined with orange juice and lime to add a burst of citrusy freshness, which balances out the richness of the pork. If you love heat, you can add a bit of chopped jalapeño or hot sauce to amp up the spice level.
To make these Pork Tacos Recipe, you’ll need soft flour tortillas or corn tortillas, both of which are perfect for holding the tender, flavorful pork and all the delicious toppings. The tortillas should be lightly warmed to give them a soft, pliable texture that enhances the overall experience.
These Pork Tacos Recipe can be served with a variety of sides, such as Mexican rice, refried beans, or a fresh, tangy slaw to add crunch. If you’re serving guests, create a taco bar with various toppings so everyone can customize their own tacos. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just your family, this pork taco recipe is sure to satisfy everyone’s taste buds.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs (700g) pork shoulder or pork butt, trimmed of excess fat
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Juice of 1 orange
- Juice of 2 limes
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 onion, quartered
- 3 cloves garlic, smashed
- 10 small flour tortillas or corn tortillas
- Fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
- 1 small red onion, finely diced
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- 1 avocado, sliced (optional)
- Salsa or hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pork:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) if using the oven. Alternatively, if using a slow cooker or instant pot, skip this step.
- Rub the pork shoulder with olive oil, then season with chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and pepper. Be sure to coat the pork evenly with the seasoning mix.
- Cook the Pork:
- For the oven method: Heat a large oven safe pot over medium high heat. Brown the pork on all sides for about 5-6 minutes. Add the onion, garlic, orange juice, lime juice, and chicken broth. Cover the pot with a lid and transfer it to the oven. Roast for 2 hours, or until the pork is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
- For the slow cooker method: Place the seasoned pork in the slow cooker along with the onion, garlic, orange juice, lime juice, and chicken broth. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the pork is tender and shreds easily.
- For the instant pot method: Place the pork, onion, garlic, orange juice, lime juice, and chicken broth in the instant pot. Seal the lid and set to cook on high pressure for 45 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally.
- Shred the Pork:
- Once the pork is cooked, remove it from the pot or slow cooker and use two forks to shred the meat. Discard any large pieces of fat.
- Warm the Tortillas:
- While the pork is resting, warm the tortillas by placing them in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds per side, or wrap them in foil and heat them in the oven for 10 minutes.
- Assemble the Tacos:
- Place a generous amount of shredded pork onto each warm tortilla. Top with chopped cilantro, diced red onion, and avocado slices (if using). Serve with lime wedges on the side for a fresh burst of citrus.
- Serve and Enjoy!
- Serve these delicious pork tacos with a side of salsa, Mexican rice, or beans, and enjoy!
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Pork Tacos Recipe
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs 700g pork shoulder or pork butt, trimmed of excess fat
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for heat
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Juice of 1 orange
- Juice of 2 limes
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 onion quartered
- 3 cloves garlic smashed
- 10 small flour tortillas or corn tortillas
- Fresh cilantro leaves chopped
- 1 small red onion finely diced
- 1 lime cut into wedges
- 1 avocado sliced (optional)
- Salsa or hot sauce optional
Instructions
- Prepare the Pork:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) if using the oven. Alternatively, if using a slow cooker or instant pot, skip this step.
- Rub the pork shoulder with olive oil, then season with chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and pepper. Be sure to coat the pork evenly with the seasoning mix.
- Cook the Pork:
- For the oven method: Heat a large oven safe pot over medium high heat. Brown the pork on all sides for about 5-6 minutes. Add the onion, garlic, orange juice, lime juice, and chicken broth. Cover the pot with a lid and transfer it to the oven. Roast for 2 hours, or until the pork is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
- For the slow cooker method: Place the seasoned pork in the slow cooker along with the onion, garlic, orange juice, lime juice, and chicken broth. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the pork is tender and shreds easily.
- For the instant pot method: Place the pork, onion, garlic, orange juice, lime juice, and chicken broth in the instant pot. Seal the lid and set to cook on high pressure for 45 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally.
- Shred the Pork:
- Once the pork is cooked, remove it from the pot or slow cooker and use two forks to shred the meat. Discard any large pieces of fat.
- Warm the Tortillas:
- While the pork is resting, warm the tortillas by placing them in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds per side, or wrap them in foil and heat them in the oven for 10 minutes.
- Assemble the Tacos:
- Place a generous amount of shredded pork onto each warm tortilla. Top with chopped cilantro, diced red onion, and avocado slices (if using). Serve with lime wedges on the side for a fresh burst of citrus.
- Serve and Enjoy!
- Serve these delicious pork tacos with a side of salsa, Mexican rice, or beans, and enjoy!
Notes
- If you want to add some heat to your tacos, try including jalapeño slices or a drizzle of hot sauce.
- For extra flavor, top your tacos with a homemade crema or guacamole.
- You can store leftover pork in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
