Slow-Cooked Pork Carnitas Tacos with Pickled Onions

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

Tender pork shoulder braised in citrus-spiced broth, shredded and crisped for tacos, paired with tangy pickled onions. This mexican ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder, large white onion, garlic 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: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cut pork shoulder into 1-inch cubes; place in slow cooker with 1 sliced onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp cumin, 1 tbsp oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Pour in 1 cup chicken broth and 1/4 cup orange juice; stir to combine.
  3. Step 3: Cook on low for 8 hours until pork is fork-tender; remove pork, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid.
  4. Step 4: Shred pork with two forks, then return to slow cooker with reserved liquid and stir.
  5. Step 5: Simmer 1/2 cup white onion, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup water, and 1/4 cup red wine vinegar in a saucepan over medium heat for 5 minutes until onions are translucent; cool completely.
  6. Step 6: Heat a skillet over medium-high; add 1 tbsp oil and 4 tortillas, crisping each for 1-2 minutes per side until golden.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Pork Carnitas Tacos with Pickled Onions take to make?

Total time is about 500 minutes (20 min prep + 480 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 Slow-Cooked 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 Slow-Cooked 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 Slow-Cooked 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 Slow-Cooked 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.

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