Taco Tuesdays: Carnitas
Slow-cooked pork carnitas with citrus zest, served in warm tortillas with pickled onions and avocado crema. This mexican ready in about 120 minutes pairs pork shoulder, orange zest, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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 tbsp orange zest
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 small, thinly sliced onion
- 1, mashed avocado
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 6 small tortillas
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, mix orange zest, garlic, orange juice, salt, and pepper. Rub mixture into pork, cover, and refrigerate 8 hours.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp oil in a Dutch oven. Brown pork 5 minutes, then add onion. Cook 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup water, cover, and simmer 1.5 hours until pork shreds. Let rest 10 minutes, then shred with two forks.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Taco Tuesdays: Carnitas take to make?
Total time is about 120 minutes (30 min prep + 90 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 Taco Tuesdays: 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 Taco Tuesdays: 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 Taco Tuesdays: Carnitas 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 Taco Tuesdays: 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
- ★★★★★
My partner, who's usually picky, absolutely loved this.
- ★★★★★
Perfect general recipe for a weeknight dinner.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
