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Carnitas Tacos

These mouthwatering Carnitas Tacos are made with juicy slow-cooked pork that’s finished under the broiler for the best crispy texture. They’re easy to make, totally hands-off, and full of authentic flavor!
Course dinner
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword carnita tacos
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours 10 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time 8 hours 25 minutes
Servings 6 people
Calories 392kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 3.5 pounds pork shoulder skinless and boneless
  • 3 garlic cloves chopped
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 small white onion chopped
  • 1 orange juiced
  • 1 jalapeno pepper deseeded and finely diced
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Toppings: chopped red onion, finely chopped cilantro, 6 tortillas and limes.

Instructions

  • Prepare Pork Shoulder: Cut the pork shoulder into chunks and place in a slow cooker or large pot.
  • Season Pork: Add the chopped garlic, chili powder, dried oregano, ground cumin, and a generous amount of salt and black pepper to the pork. Mix well to coat.
  • Add Remaining Ingredients: Stir in the chopped onion, orange juice, and finely diced jalapeño pepper.
  • Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until the pork is tender and easily shreds.
  • Shred Pork: Once cooked, shred the pork with two forks and mix it with the juices in the pot.
  • Crisp Carnitas: For extra crispy carnitas, spread the shredded pork on a baking sheet and broil in the oven for 7-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until edges are crispy.
  • Prepare Tacos: Warm the tortillas. Fill each tortilla with the carnitas and top with chopped red onion, finely chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.

Notes

  • Warm the tortillas before assembling your tacos so they don’t break.
  • Use fresh ingredients for the most authentic flavor.
  • You can skip the broiler and crisp the pork on the stovetop if preferred.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/6 | Calories: 392kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 140mg | Sodium: 1392mg | Potassium: 1445mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g