Best Carnitas Tacos Recipes

ZESTY CARNITAS TACOS

Steps:

• Carnitas: Trim fat from pork. Cut pork into 2- to 3-inch pieces; transfer to a 4-quart slow cooker. Stir in onion, orange juice, cumin, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, oregano, and cayenne.
• Cover and cook on Low 8 to 10 hours, or on High 4 to 5 hours. Transfer pork to a large bowl; shred using 2 forks. Add enough cooking liquid from slow cooker to moisten.
• Lime Crema: Add 2 tablespoons lime juice to a small bowl. Stir in yogurt and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Dust with chili powder.
• Tacos: Serve pork in tortillas with cabbage, red onion, and pico de gallo (if using). Garnish with crema and lime zest.

PORK CARNITAS TACOS

Steps:

• Tie the thyme sprigs together with kitchen twine; combine the pork, garlic, bay leaves and thyme bundle in a large Dutch oven. Add the vegetable oil, lime juice, orange juice, 1 cup water and 2 teaspoons salt and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low; cover and gently simmer, stirring occasionally, 1 hour.
• Uncover the pot and continue simmering, stirring once or twice, until the pork is tender, about another 1 hour, 15 minutes. Increase the heat to medium; cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is mostly evaporated, about 35 more minutes. Discard the thyme bundle and bay leaves, then increase the heat to medium high so the pork starts to fry. Cook, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pot occasionally, until the pork is golden brown and crisp in spots, about 10 more minutes. Serve in tortillas with assorted toppings.
• Combine 1 thinly sliced red onion, 1 cup cider vinegar, 1/2 cup water, 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 bay leaves, 1 teaspoon each coriander seeds, mustard seeds and cumin seeds, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt in a small saucepan. Boil 2 minutes; let cool.

CARNITAS TACOS

Steps:

• Cut roast in half; place in a 4- or 5-qt. slow cooker. Sprinkle with taco seasoning. Pour tomatoes over top. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until meat is tender., Remove meat from slow cooker; shred with 2 forks. Skim fat from cooking juices. Return meat to slow cooker; heat through. Using a slotted spoon, place 1/2 cup on each tortilla; top with cheese. Serve with sour cream if desired.

CARNITAS WALKING TACOS

Steps:

• Place the pork shoulder, garlic, bay leaves, large chunks of onion, ancho chile powder, cumin, cloves, orange juice, lime juice, 1 tablespoon salt, a generous amount of black pepper and 1/2 cup water in the bowl of a 6-quart slow cooker. Cover and cook until the meat is tender and can easily be shredded with a fork, 4 hours on high or 6 hours on low.
• Remove the pork to a large bowl and use two forks to shred. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of the pork and 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has evaporated and the pork is crispy and dark brown, about 15 minutes. Remove to a plate and repeat with the remaining oil, pork and 1/2 cup cooking liquid (discard the remaining liquid), another 15 minutes.
• Open the tortilla chip bags and crush a few of the chips. Gently roll down the tops of the bags about a third of the way. Fill the bags with some dollops of sour cream, then pork, then garnish with the finely chopped onions, radishes, cilantro and a few dashes of hot sauce. Serve with the lime wedges.
• In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, chili powder, salt and lime zest. Set aside.

SOUS VIDE CARNITAS FOR TACOS (CRISPY MEXICAN-STYLE PULLED PORK) RECIPE

Steps:

• Combine pork, onion, garlic, cinnamon stick, and bay leaves in a large bowl. Split orange into quarters and squeeze juice into bowl before adding rest of orange. Season generously with kosher salt and toss to combine. Transfer contents to a vacuum bag and seal. When ready to cook, set sous vide cooker to desired temperature according to chart above. Add bag to sous vide bath and cook for recommended time according to chart above. Make sure to top water up occasionally as it evaporates, and keep bag completely submerged. If bag floats, weigh it down by placing a wet kitchen towel on top of it. Alternatively, use a heavy-duty binder clip to attach a metal spoon or knife to bottom of bag as a weight. When meat is cooked, remove from water bath and transfer contents of bag to a large bowl. Pick out chunks of meat with a set of tongs and transfer them to a rimmed baking sheet. (Discard aromatics and excess liquid, or reserve liquid and blend it in with your salsa.) When it is cool enough to handle, shred meat roughly using 2 forks or your fingers. Spread evenly over baking sheet. Pork can be prepared up to this point and refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 5 days before serving. When ready to serve, adjust an oven rack to 3 inches below the broiler element and preheat broiler to high. Place pork under broiler and cook, using a spoon to flip pieces occasionally, until meat is browned and crisp on most sides, about 10 minutes total. Alternatively, working in batches, heat carnitas in a cast iron or nonstick skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally, until crisp, about 10 minutes. Serve carnitas with warm tortillas, lime wedges, chopped onion and cilantro, and salsa.

CARNITAS FLAUTAS (PORK ROLLED TACOS)

Steps:

• Place pork roast into the bottom of a slow cooker. Cover pork with red salsa, garlic, chili powder, and salt.
• Cover the slow cooker and cook on Low until tender and cooked through, 4 to 6 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C).
• Turn off slow cooker. Remove any fat from pork and discard. Transfer pork to a large bowl and shred well using 2 forks. Let cool at least 10 minutes.
• Pour olives, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese, and green salsa over pork. Mix well until thick and not runny.
• Warm tortillas in a skillet over low heat to soften, 15 to 20 seconds per side.
• Meanwhile, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a large frying pan.
• Add a spoonful of pork mixture to each tortilla and roll up tightly. Place rolled tortillas in hot oil and fry until lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Keep warm and serve with remaining 1 cup sour cream, 1 cup Cheddar cheese, and guacamole.

CARNITAS TACOS WITH SPICY SLAW

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• Remove pork roast from package. Season with 2 teaspoons Mexican taco seasoning. Place on a preheated oiled grill pan and sear all sides, about 2 minutes per side.
• While pork is searing in a 9 by 13-inch baking dish, combine enchilada sauce, onions, cilantro, and remaining Mexican taco seasoning. Add pork roast cover with foil, place in oven and roast for 25 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 155 to 160 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.
• In a small bowl combined the sour cream, mayonnaise, chipotle sauce, chili lime seasoning, and lime juice. Mix well until blended.
• In a large bowl add the coleslaw and pour the sour cream mayonnaise mixture over top and toss well to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
• Place tortillas on a microwave-safe plate, cover with moist paper towel and heat in microwave on HIGH for 45 seconds.
• Slice pork and divide between heated tortillas, top with some of the sauce from the baking dish, the spicy slaw and garnish with lime wedge.

PORK CARNITAS TACOS

Steps:

• In a large cast-iron or heavy straight-sided skillet, cover pork with 1/2 inch water and bring to a rapid simmer over medium-high. Cook, turning pieces occasionally, until water evaporates, about 45 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and continue to cook, turning pieces frequently, until crisp and browned on all sides, about 12 minutes. Serve carnitas with tortillas, onion, cilantro, guacamole (if desired), and lime wedges.

SLOW-COOKED CARNITAS TACOS

Steps:

• Toss pork in bowl of slow cooker with salt, black pepper, and dried oregano to coat. Place onion pieces atop pork. Cover slow cooker and cook pork on low setting until meat is very tender and falling apart, about 6 hours.
• Using slotted spoon, transfer pork to cutting board. Discard onion pieces. Using fingers, shred pork; transfer carnitas to platter. Place avocado slices, cilantro sprigs, and sliced red bell peppers, if desired, alongside. Wrap corn tortillas in damp kitchen towel; microwave until warm, about 1 minute. Serve carnitas with warm tortillas and tomatillo salsa.

THE BEST SLOW COOKER CARNITAS, GREAT FOR TACOS!

Steps:

• Mix the kosher salt, garlic powder, ground cumin, ground coriander, dried oregano and black pepper together in a small bowl. Coat the pork shoulder roast with the dry rub.
• Place the sliced onion and bay leaves in the bottom of your slow cooker, lay pork shoulder roast on top. Carefully pour water or chicken broth around the roast, making sure you don't disturb the dry rub.
• Cover and cook on Low until the pork shreds easily with a fork, about 6 hours. Turn the meat after it has cooked for 3 hours.
• When the pork is tender, remove from slow cooker, remove and discard excess fat and shred with two forks. Reserve cooking liquid.
• Place shredded pork into a large skillet with 1 cup of reserved cooking liquid over medium high heat, stirring occasionally. Once liquid has cooked down completely, add canola or vegetable oil. Stir occasionally for 15-20 minutes or until the meat has reached desired crispiness.
• Serve in warm flour or corn tortillas with your favorite taco toppings. We serve ours cilantro, pickled red onions, salsa or pico de gallo, guacamole, sliced cabbage and lime wedges,.

BEER BRAISED PORK CARNITAS TACOS

Steps:

• 1. Get your meat ready rub with salt, cumin and chili powder all over. Mince your garlic and add to a plastic bag gallon size add bay leaf to bag as well. Zest and squeeze oranges in to bag add pork and make sure to massage juice and garlic all over. Let sit in fridge over night or 24 hours.
• 2. Take pork out after 24 hours and pat dry so it can brown. Save marinade juice and set aside. Slice onions and take seeds out of peppers. Pre heat oven to 350 degrees to have it ready. In a pot that can go in oven or you can do this with a roasting pan too. Add some oil about 2 tbs. and brown your meat all over. All you want to do is sear the meat. Take out meat after browning and add peppers and onions saute until soft and you can smell the peppers about 5 minutes or so. Deglaze the pot with beer and add meat back in the pot. Add remaining marinade and bay leaf to pot and put in 350 pre heated oven for about 4 hours. Turning meat every half hour or hour.
• 3. Af ter meat is cooked take out and start shredding and set aside. Add peppers and onions to a blender and half the cooking liquid and blend until smooth and pour over shredded pork. The liquid will keep your carnitas moist and add some extra flavor. Toss and taste for seasoning. At this point you can either put meat in fridge for when you need it or. In a skillet add some oil about 1 tbs and start browning your carnitas until golden brown and crispy. Blister your corn tortillas over fire or on a skillet and add some carnitas and your favorite toppings and enjoy. You can also serve with flour tortillas but they are traditionally served with corn tortillas. Don't forget to squeeze some lime over them. Another thing this can be made in a crock pot as well.

CARNITAS STYLE GRILLED BEEF TACOS

Steps:

• Combine marinade ingredients in small bowl. Place beef steaks and marinade in food-safe plastic bag; turn steaks to coat. Close bag securely, squeezing out air and marinate in refrigerator 2-6 hours.
• Remove steaks from marinade; discard marinade. Place steaks on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 10 to 14 minutes for medium rare to medium doneness, turning once.
• Meanwhile combine avocado salsa ingredients in medium bowl. Set aside.
• Place tortillas on grid. Grill until warm and slightly charred. Remove; keep warm.
• Carve steaks into slices. Serve in tortillas with avocado salsa. Top with onion, cilantro and lime wedges, as desired.

TACOS OF CARNITAS ROASTED WITH ORANGE, MILK, AND PEPPER

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• 2. Cut the pork into 6 or 8 pieces. Melt the lard in a heavy Dutch oven just large enough to hold the meat in one layer. Brown the meat on all sides and season with salt.
• 3. Squeeze the orange over the meat and toss the rind into the pan. Pour the milk over the meat and add enough water to almost cover the meat. Sprinkle with pepper. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for about 2 hours, until the meat is fork-tender.
• 4. To finish, uncover the meat and break into into largish pieces. Remove the orange rind and discard. Roast, uncovered, until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 20 minutes, or until the meat is brown and crisp on the edges.
• 5. To assemble the tacos, fill a warm tortilla with shredded pork. Top with avocado and salsa, a little of the chicharrón, and finish with generous amounts of onion and cilantro.

COPYCAT CHIPOTLE CARNITAS CRISPY TACOS

Steps:

• Using a square of cheesecloth, make a spice bundle: Place thyme springs, juniper berries, bay leaves, and black peppercorns in the center of the cloth and secure with kitchen twine.
• In a slow cooker set to low , arrange pork roast in the bottom. Add water, spice bundle, and salt.
• Cover and set for 10 hours. It may take 12 hours, carnitas will be ready when pork is easily shreddible with a fork.
• Using a large slotted spoon or a pair of tongs, transfer pork to a large bowl (save cooking liquid for later). Allow pork to rest, covered, for about 10 minutes.
• Heat taco shells according to manufacturer's directions, and prepare toppings of your choice.
• Shred pork using two forks or tongs, discarding excess fat. Taste cooking liquid. (if it is too salty, thin the cooking liquid with hot water). Moisten carnitas with 1 cup of cooking liquid, reserving the rest for later use.
• Assemble tacos:.
• Fill Taco shells with Copycat Chipotle Carnitas, and desired toppings.

NO-WASTE TACOS DE CARNITAS WITH SALSA VERDE (FOOD LAB)

Steps:

• 2 Set fine-meshed strainer 1 quart liquid measure or bowl. Remove orange peel, onion, garlic, cinnamon stick, and bay leaves from pork. Transfer pork and liquid to strainer. Drain for 10 minutes. Transfer pork back to casserole. You should end up with about 1/2 cup liquid and 1/2 cup fat. Using a flat spoon, skim fat from surface and add back to pork. Shred pork into large chunks with fingers or two forks. Season to taste with salt. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Transfer remaining liquid to medium saucepot. 3 Add tomatillos, remaining 2 onion quarters, remaining 2 garlic cloves, and jalapeños to saucepot with strained pork liquid. Add water until about 1-inch below the top of the vegetables. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce to a simmer, and cook until all vegetables are completely tender, about 10 minutes. Blend salsa with hand blender or in a stand-up blender until smooth. Season to taste with salt. Allow to cool and refrigerate until ready to use. 4 To serve: Place casserole dish with pork 4-inches under a high broiler and broil until brown and crisp on surface, about 6 minutes. Remove pork, stir with a spoon to expose new bits to heat, and broil again for 6 more minutes until crisp. Tent with foil to keep warm. 5 Meanwhile, heat tortillas. Preheat an 8-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Working one tortilla at a time, dip tortilla in bowl filled with water. Transfer to hot skillet and cook until water evaporates from first side and tortilla is browned in spots, about 30 seconds. Flip and cook until dry, about 15 seconds longer.

NO-WASTE TACOS DE CARNITAS WITH SALSA VERDE - KENJI

Steps:

• Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 275 degrees. Cut one onion into fine dice and combine with cilantro. Refrigerate until needed. Split remaining onion into quarters. Set aside. Season pork chunks with 1 tablespoon salt and place in a 9 by 13 glass casserole dish. The pork should fill the dish with no spaces. Split orange into quarters and squeeze juice over pork. Nestle squeezed orange pieces into casserole. Add 2 onion quarters, 4 cloves garlic, bay leaves, and cinnamon stick to casserole. Nestle everything into an even layer. Pour vegetable oil over surface. Cover dish tightly with aluminum foil and place in oven. Cook until pork is fork tender, about 3 1/2 hours.
• Set large fine-meshed strainer 1 quart liquid measure or bowl. Using tongs, remove orange peel, onion, garlic, cinnamon stick, and bay leaves from pork. Transfer pork and liquid to strainer. Let drain for 10 minutes. Transfer pork back to casserole. You should end up with about 1/2 cup liquid and 1/2 cup fat. Using a flat spoon or de-fatter, skim fat from surface and add back to pork. Shred pork into large chunks with fingers or two forks. Season to taste with salt. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Transfer remaining liquid to medium saucepot.
• Add tomatillos, remaining 2 onion quarters, remaining 2 garlic cloves, and jalapenos to saucepot with strained pork liquid. Add water until it is about 1-inch below the top of the vegetables. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce to a simmer, and cook until all vegetables are completely tender, about 10 minutes. Blend salsa with hand blender or in a stand-up blender until smooth. Season to taste with salt. Allow to cool and refrigerate until ready to use.
• To serve: Place casserole dish with pork 4-inches under a high broiler and broil until brown and crisp on surface, about 6 minutes. Remove pork, stir with a spoon to expose new bits to heat, and broil again for 6 more minutes until crisp. Tent with foil to keep warm.
• Meanwhile, heat tortillas. Preheat an 8-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Working one tortilla at a time, dip tortilla in bowl filled with water. Transfer to hot skillet and cook until water evaporates from first side and tortilla is browned in spots, about 30 seconds. Flip and cook until dry, about 15 seconds longer. Transfer tortilla to a tortilla warmer, or wrap in a clean dish towel. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
• To eat, stack two tortillas on top of each other. Add two to three tablespoons carnitas mixture to center. Top with salsa verde, chopped onions and cilantro, and queso fresco. Serve with lime wedges.

CARNITAS (SLOW ROASTED PORK) TACOS - TACOS DE CARNITAS

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 450°F.
• 2. Blend the garlic, onion, oregano, thyme, salt and 1/2 cup of water in a blender until fairly smooth.
• 3. Combine the pork and buy leaves in a 6-quart dutch oven or deep baking dish that can hold the porkin no more than 2 layers. Pour the blended mixture and the Coca-Cola over the pork and stir & toss well.
• 4. Cover the pot and cook in the oven until the pork is very tender, about 2 hours. The sides of the pot might look dark. Thats just fine.
• 5. Uncover the pot and return to the oven. Continue cooking, tossing well and scraping the bottom and sides of pot every 10 minutes., until the pork is slightly crispy on the outside and deep golden brown, about 30 minutes. Coarsely shred the pork.
• 6. Make Ahead: You can make carnitas up to three days before you plan to serve.
• 7. Serve alongside 24 warm CORN TORTILLAS and LIME WEDGES and top with CHOPPED WHITE ONION, CHOPPED CILANTRO, and FRESH GREEN SALSA, JALAPENO AND PINAPPLE SALSA, OR PICO DE GALLO WITH LEMON ZEST.

CROCK POT BEEF CARNITAS TACOS

Steps:

• Mix together all spices in a small bowl. Rub the spices all over your flank steak-be generous here! Then, place your steak at the bottom of your crock pot. Cover the steak with the chopped onions, bell peppers and jalapeno pepper. Turn heat on LOW and cook for 8 hours. After 8 hours, remove meat from crock pot and shred with a fork. It should be incredibly easy to shred. You can either stick the shredded meat back in the pot for another hour or serve as is. To serve, heat your corn tortillas in a skillet on the stove. Spoon some carnitas on a tortilla then top with salsa, avocado, cilantro and a squeeze of lime.

CARNITAS TACOS WITH GREEN ONION RAJAS

Steps:

• Place pork in heavy large pot. Add broth. Add enough water to cover pork by 1/2 inch. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium. Cover partially; simmer until meat is very tender and liquid is absorbed, about 1 hour 45 minutes. Cool slightly. Shred meat. Season with salt. Cover; keep warm.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute. Add bell peppers and poblanos; sauté until tender, about 12 minutes. Add green onions; sauté until tender, about 4 minutes. Add cheese and cream. Simmer until cheese melts and liquid thickens. Stir in cilantro. Season with salt and pepper.
• Spoon some shredded meat onto half of each warm tortilla. Top with pepper mixture. Fold tortilla over filling. Serve with lime wedges to squeeze over.

TACOS DE CARNITAS WITH SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 275 degrees. Cut one onion into fine dice and combine with cilantro. Refrigerate until needed. Split remaining onion into quarters. Set aside. Season pork chunks with 1 tablespoon salt and place in a 9 by 13 glass casserole dish. The pork should fill the dish with no spaces. Split orange into quarters and squeeze juice over pork. Nestle squeezed orange pieces into casserole. Add 2 onion quarters, 4 cloves garlic, bay leaves, and cinnamon stick to casserole. Nestle everything into an even layer. Pour vegetable oil over surface. Cover dish tightly with aluminum foil and place in oven. Cook until pork is fork tender, about 3 1/2 hours. Set large fine-meshed strainer 1 quart liquid measure or bowl. Using tongs, remove orange peel, onion, garlic, cinnamon stick, and bay leaves from pork. Transfer pork and liquid to strainer. Let drain for 10 minutes. Transfer pork back to casserole. You should end up with about 1/2 cup liquid and 1/2 cup fat. Using a flat spoon or de-fatter, skim fat from surface and add back to pork. Shred pork into large chunks with fingers or two forks. Season to taste with salt. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Transfer remaining liquid to medium saucepot. Add tomatillos, remaining 2 onion quarters, remaining 2 garlic cloves, and jalapeños to saucepot with strained pork liquid. Add water until it is about 1-inch below the top of the vegetables. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce to a simmer, and cook until all vegetables are completely tender, about 10 minutes. Blend salsa with hand blender or in a stand-up blender until smooth. Season to taste with salt. Allow to cool and refrigerate until ready to use. broil until brown and crisp on surface, about 6 minutes. stir with a spoon to expose new bits to heat, and broil again for 6 more minutes until crisp. Top with salsa verde, chopped onions and cilantro, and queso fresco. Serve with lime wedges.