Carnitas-Style Pork & Apple Tacos

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Slow-cooked pork shoulder with a hint of apple and cinnamon, served in warm tortillas for a sweet-savory family dinner. This mexican-inspired slow cooker ready in about 445 minutes pairs Olive oil, cut into 1-inch cubes Pork shoulder, medium, peeled and diced Apple for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

★ 3.9 (10 ratings) Prep: 25 min Cook: 420 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1.2 lbs diced pork shoulder and cook for 4 minutes per side until browned, then transfer to a 6-quart slow cooker.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 diced apple, 1 diced onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 cup chicken broth, 2 tbsp cider vinegar, and 1 tbsp brown sugar to the slow cooker. Stir until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
  3. Step 3: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, until pork is very tender and pulls apart easily with a fork.
  4. Step 4: Remove pork from the slow cooker and shred with two forks. Return the shredded pork to the pot and stir in any remaining sauce.
  5. Step 5: Warm tortillas in a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side. Fill each with shredded pork and serve with extra apple slices on the side.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Carnitas-Style Pork & Apple Tacos take to make?

Total time is about 445 minutes (25 min prep + 420 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 Carnitas-Style Pork & Apple 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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Carnitas-Style Pork & Apple 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 Carnitas-Style Pork & Apple 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 Carnitas-Style Pork & Apple Tacos?

Mexican slow cooker 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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