Description
These authentic Carnitas Tacos feature tender, slow-cooked pork shoulder seasoned with traditional Mexican spices and citrus, finished with crispy edges for a perfect balance of juicy and crunchy textures. Served with fresh chopped onions, cilantro, and lime, they make an irresistible meal that’s full of vibrant flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main 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
- Juice of 1 orange
- 1 jalapeno pepper, deseeded and finely diced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Toppings
- Chopped red onion
- Finely chopped cilantro
- 6 tortillas
- Limes, for squeezing
Instructions
- Prepare Pork Shoulder: Cut the pork shoulder into chunks and place them in a slow cooker or a large pot to begin the cooking process.
- Season Pork: Add the chopped garlic, chili powder, dried oregano, ground cumin, and a generous amount of salt and black pepper to the pork chunks. Mix thoroughly to ensure all pieces are evenly coated with the spices.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Stir in the chopped white onion, freshly squeezed orange juice, and finely diced jalapeno pepper, distributing them uniformly throughout the pork mixture.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker or pot and cook on low heat for 8 hours, or until the pork is tender enough to easily shred with forks.
- Shred Pork: Remove the pork from the cooker and shred the meat using two forks, mixing it well with the cooking juices to keep it moist and flavorful.
- Crisp Carnitas: For crispy edges, spread the shredded pork evenly on a baking sheet and place under the oven broiler for 7-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the edges turn golden and crispy. Alternatively, the pork can be crisped on the stovetop if preferred.
- Prepare Tacos: Warm the tortillas before assembling. Fill each tortilla with a generous amount of crisped carnitas, then top with chopped red onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice to finish.
Notes
- Warm the tortillas prior to assembling tacos to prevent them from breaking.
- Use fresh ingredients for the most authentic, vibrant flavor.
- If you prefer, skip the broiler step and crisp the shredded pork on the stovetop for similar results.
