Grilled Pork Carnitas Tacos with Pickled Onions
Slow-cooked shredded pork shoulder with citrusy pickled onions and fresh cilantro, served on warm corn tortillas for a vibrant weeknight meal. This mexican ready in about 165 minutes pairs pork shoulder, cumin, dried oregano for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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
- 1.5 lbs pork shoulder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 cup, thinly sliced red onion
- 1, seeded and finely chopped jalapeño
- 8 corn tortillas
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Trim excess fat from pork shoulder, then rub with 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper; sear in 1 tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat for 5 minutes per side until browned.
- Step 2: Add 1/2 cup orange juice to the pot, cover, and simmer on low heat for 2 hours until fork-tender, then shred with two forks.
- Step 3: Whisk 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1/4 cup water in a bowl; pour over 1/2 cup sliced red onion and 1 chopped jalapeño, then let sit for 15 minutes.
- Step 4: Warm corn tortillas in a dry skillet for 10 seconds per side, then fill with shredded pork, pickled onions, and fresh cilantro.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Pork Carnitas Tacos with Pickled Onions take to make?
Total time is about 165 minutes (25 min prep + 140 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 Grilled Pork Carnitas Tacos with Pickled Onions?
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 Grilled Pork Carnitas Tacos with Pickled Onions?
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 Grilled Pork Carnitas Tacos with Pickled Onions 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 Grilled Pork Carnitas Tacos with Pickled Onions?
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 flavors in this grilled are incredible.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
