Authentic Mexican Carnitas Tacos
Tender slow-braised pork served in warm corn tortillas with tangy lime crema and pickled onions. This mexican-inspired mexican ready in about 170 minutes pairs Pork shoulder, Olive oil, large, diced Onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Pork shoulder
- 1/4 cup Olive oil
- 1 large, diced Onion
- 4 cloves, minced Garlic
- 1 tbsp Cumin
- 1 tbsp Paprika
- 1/2 cup Orange juice
- 8 Corn tortillas
- 1/2 cup Lime crema
- 1/2 cup Pickled red onions
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). In a large oven-safe skillet, heat 1/4 cup olive oil over medium-high heat. Add pork shoulder and sear on all sides until browned, about 8 minutes.
- Step 2: Add diced onion and garlic, sauté for 3 minutes until fragrant. Stir in cumin, paprika, and orange juice. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 3: Cover the skillet, transfer to the oven, and braise for 2.5 hours until the pork is tender and shreds easily with a fork.
- Step 4: Warm corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat until pliable. Divide shredded pork among tortillas, top with 2 tbsp lime crema and 1/4 cup pickled onions. Serve with lime wedges.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Mexican Carnitas Tacos take to make?
Total time is about 170 minutes (20 min prep + 150 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Authentic Mexican Carnitas Tacos?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Mexican Carnitas Tacos?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Authentic Mexican Carnitas Tacos for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Authentic Mexican Carnitas Tacos?
Mexican mexican like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★☆☆☆
The proportions seem off. Way too much of some ingredients.
- ★★☆☆☆
The proportions seem off. Way too much of some ingredients.
