Carnitas Pulled Pork Tacos are one of those meals that are just worth the effort. The pork get’s cooked low and slow and fills the house with the most incredible aroma. The vegetables are crisp and the sauce for the pork…..amazing.
These carnitas pulled pork tacos are so tender and flavorful. They will be one of your favorite go to meals. As it is cooked in the crock pot, you just have to sit back, relax and wait for this wonderful meal to come together.You have juicy, slow cooked pulled pork, a soft taco shell, zesty sriracha slaw and sweet candy sauce. These tacos are just layer upon layer of flavor and texture. What’s not to love?!
Want even more slow cooker meals? Check here.
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What We Love About This Recipe
What makes this recipe great? Carnitas are a type of pulled pork. It means little meat, here us more information about this pork.
- 15 Minutes of Prep: Don’t be intimidated, this is a thrown it together and sit back and allow the slow cooking to do it’s magic.
- Easy Ingredients: All found in pantry and all produce an amazing flavor.
- Family Friendly: Everyone an build their own, so they are all happy.
- Adaptable: Can change up the seasoning with oregano and garlic and/or bay leaf and toppings to make it your own special dishes.
Ingredient Notes
Pulled Pork:
- Bone in pork butt – I’ve used pork tenderloin in a pinch too.
- Chipotle chili powder – adjust the seasoning to your heat tolerance
- Flour tortillas – I like to toast them
- Fresh ginger – don’t skimp – you need fresh ginger for this recipe
- BBQ Sauce – use any brand you like or try my 10 minute BBQ Sauce
Equipment Needed
How to Make Tacos with Pulled Pork
These are the basic steps for making pork carnita tacos. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions and nutrition information.
STEP 1: CARNITAS SEASONING
First, mix the first 7 ingredients together in a small bowl and then rub the entire roast with spice rub and place fat side up in the slow cooker.
STEP 2: COOK
Then pour beef broth into a slow cooker and add vinegar. Cover and cook on high for 7-8 hours or until meat is fall-apart tender.
STEP 3: CANDY SAUCE
Meanwhile, place all the ingredients for the candy sauce in the food processor and mix until smooth liquid. Place in an airtight container and put in the fridge.
STEP 4: SHRED
Once done, remove pork from the slow cooker and place on a large rimmed baking sheet. Using two forks, shred pork, removing excess fat and bone.
STEP 5: ASSEMBLE
Lay each corn tortillas on a flat surface. Place 1/4 cup of Sriracha Slaw in the center of each shell and then place 4 oz of pulled pork on top of slaw. Drizzle 2 oz of candy sauce on top of pork Finally, fold tacos in half and serve immediately.
Prep and Storage Tips for Pulled Pork Taco Recipe
HOW TO MAKE THIS CARNITAS TACOS RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME
Truly one of the best parts about this recipe is that you can prepare this all ahead of time. The carnitas pulled pork can be made up to four days ahead of time.
HOW TO STORE THIS PORK ROAST RECIPE
Store in the refrigerator for up to four days in an airtight container.
HOW TO FREEZE THIS RECIPE
Indeed. This recipe can be frozen up to three months in an airtight container or wrapped well in aluminum foil. Remove from freezer the night before to thaw.
HOW TO REHEAT THIS SHREDDED PORK TACOS RECIPE
Thaw overnight in the fridge and then heat by pan frying on the stove top until warmed through and finish with warm tortillas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Really, it is whatever you like, however this Sriracha Slaw recipe is truly amazing on the tacos. Also try things such as: Finely chopped onions( fry if you like or raw), Easiest Homemade Guacamole, chopped tomatoes or homemade salsa and even refried beans.
Of course, pork shoulder can be used or center cut pork loin. Pork tenderloin tacos are good, however, this low and slow method is best with the pork but or shoulder.
Yes, it is great to make more of these pork street tacos and freeze for a great make ahead meal.
Truly, they are the same version of meat, cook low and slow and pulled apart or shredded to eat. The main difference is the spices used in making these meals.
Expert Tips for Making This Tacos Pulled Pork Recipe
- Add Fresh Lime Juice: Fresh lime wedges or oranges add a burst of fresh citrus juice flavor. Orange juice works well too for this Mexican pulled pork.
- Cheese: Sour cream, crumbled cotija or shredded jack cheese. To melt cheese place the carnitas broil in the oven for a minute or two.
- Cilantro: Top the slow cooker carnitas recipe with fresh chopped cilantro.
- Alternate cooking method tip: Cook the tacos with pulled pork in the Instant pot. Manual setting on high heat for 1 hour. Let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes.
- Dietary consideration tip: Feel free to use a gluten free tortilla and easily make dairy free by omitting the cheese for these pork carnitas recipe.
- Leftovers: Use for nachos, quesadillas, or burrito bowls, even salads.
What to Serve with Slow Cooker Carnitas Pulled Pork Tacos
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Carnitas Pulled Pork Tacos
Ingredients
- Pulled Pork:
- 2 Tbsp dark brown sugar
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 3/4 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground chipotle chili pepper
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 7 pound bone-in pork butt, 1 roast 7 pounds
- 5 cups beef broth
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 8 flour soft taco shells
- Candy Sauce:
- 8.5 oz peaches in heavy syrup, i can in heavy syrup, drained
- 1/4 cup barbeque sauce
- 1 1/2 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tsp brown sugar
Instructions
- Mix the first 7 ingredients together in a small bowl. Rub the entire roast with spice rub and place fat side up in the slow cooker.
- Pour beef broth into a slow cooker and add vinegar.
- Cover and cook on high for 7-8 hours or until meat falls off the bone.
- Remove pork from the slow cooker and place on a large rimmed baking sheet.
- Using two forks, shred pork, removing excess fat and bone.
- Make Candy Sauce by pureeing all ingredients together in a food processor. Refrigerate overnight.
- Lay each taco shell on a flat surface. Place 1/4 cup of Sriracha Slaw in the center of each shell.
- Place 4 oz of pulled pork on top of slaw. Drizzle 2 oz of candy sauce on top of pork. Fold and serve.
Expert Tips
- Add Fresh Lime Juice: Fresh lime wedges or oranges add a burst of fresh citrus juice flavor. Orange juice works well too for this Mexican pulled pork.
- Cheese: Sour cream, crumbled cotija or shredded jack cheese. To melt cheese place the carnitas broil in the oven for a minute or two.
- Cilantro: Top the slow cooker carnitas recipe with fresh chopped cilantro.
- Alternate cooking method tip: Cook the tacos with pulled pork in the Instant pot. Manual setting on high heat for 1 hour. Let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes.
- Dietary consideration tip: Feel free to use a gluten free tortilla and easily make dairy free by omitting the cheese for these pork carnitas recipe.
- Leftovers: Use for nachos, quesadillas, or burrito bowls, even salads.
Estimated Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
This recipe is my personal adaption of an ethnic inspired recipe. It is not intended to be an authentic recipe. I’ve recreated this recipe because I enjoy the flavors and I want to encourage my readers to expand their tastes and try new flavor combinations. The recipe, ingredients and processes may have been adapted to make the recipe accessible for the average American. I have provided links to authentic versions of the recipe in the post above. I encourage you to visit these pages and learn more about the traditional version(s) of this recipe.
OMG these sound SOOOO good!!