Baked Mexican-Style Pork Carnitas Tacos

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Slow-baked pork shoulder shredded and crisped with Mexican spices, served in warm tortillas with fresh toppings. This Mexican-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 205 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, olive oil, ground cumin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 190 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. In a large bowl, toss 2 lbs pork shoulder chunks with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 4 minced garlic cloves until evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Transfer pork to a large roasting pan, pour 1/2 cup orange juice over the meat, cover tightly with foil, and bake for 3 hours until pork is very tender and shreds easily.
  3. Step 3: Remove pork from oven and shred with two forks. Spread shredded pork evenly on a rimmed baking sheet and broil on high for 5-7 minutes, stirring halfway, until edges are crispy.
  4. Step 4: Warm 8 corn tortillas on a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side.
  5. Step 5: Assemble tacos by dividing crispy pork among tortillas, topping with 1/4 cup diced white onion, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and spooning 1/2 cup salsa verde. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing over.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Baked Mexican-Style Pork Carnitas Tacos take to make?

Total time is about 205 minutes (15 min prep + 190 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 Baked Mexican-Style Pork 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 Baked Mexican-Style Pork 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 Baked Mexican-Style Pork 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 Baked Mexican-Style Pork Carnitas Tacos?

Mexican pork 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.

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