Best Tacos with Avocado Crema

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Soft corn tortillas filled with slow-braised pork, topped with a cool, creamy avocado crema and pickled onions. This mexican-inspired mexican ready in about 210 minutes pairs pork shoulder, tortillas, avocados for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 8, 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.

★ 4.4 (9 ratings) Prep: 30 min Cook: 180 min Serves 8 Mexican cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Season 2 lbs cubed pork shoulder with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, and 1 tbsp smoked paprika. Place on a baking sheet and roast for 2.5-3 hours until tender and falling apart.
  2. Step 2: While the pork cooks, make the crema: mash 2 avocados in a bowl. Stir in 1/2 cup crema or sour cream, 2 tbsp lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Mix until smooth and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Warm 8 tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat until pliable. Divide the roasted pork into 8 portions, placing 1/4 cup of pork and 1 tbsp pickled onions on each tortilla.
  4. Step 4: Top each taco with 1 tbsp avocado crema, a sprinkle of chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice. Serve immediately.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Best Tacos with Avocado Crema take to make?

Total time is about 210 minutes (30 min prep + 180 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 Best Tacos with Avocado Crema?

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 Best Tacos with Avocado Crema?

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 Best Tacos with Avocado Crema for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 Best Tacos with Avocado Crema?

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.

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