Spicy Mexican Street Tacos with Carnitas
Crispy pork carnitas topped with fresh lime, cilantro, and a tangy slaw, served in warm corn tortillas. This mexican-inspired mexican ready in about 140 minutes pairs pork shoulder, garlic, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork shoulder
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 onion
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 tbsp oregano
- 2 lime
- 8 corn tortillas
- 2 avocado
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, mix 2 lbs pork shoulder with 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 chopped onion, 1 tbsp cumin, 1 tbsp oregano, and 1 tsp salt. Transfer to a roasting pan and cover with foil. Roast for 2 hours, then uncover and cook for 30 minutes until the fat renders and the pork is crispy.
- Step 2: Shred the pork with two forks. In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup sour cream with 1 tbsp lime juice and 1 tsp salt. Set aside. For the slaw, combine 1 cup shredded red cabbage with 1 tbsp lime juice, 1 tbsp olive oil, and 1 tsp salt.
- Step 3: Warm 8 corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat until pliable. Fill each with 1/2 cup shredded pork, a spoonful of slaw, and a dollop of sour cream. Garnish with 1/4 of a sliced avocado and a sprinkle of chopped cilantro. Serve immediately with extra lime wedges.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Mexican Street Tacos with Carnitas take to make?
Total time is about 140 minutes (20 min prep + 120 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 Spicy Mexican Street Tacos with Carnitas?
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 Spicy Mexican Street Tacos with Carnitas?
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 Spicy Mexican Street Tacos with Carnitas 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 Spicy Mexican Street Tacos with Carnitas?
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
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
