Carnitas (Pulled Pork Tacos) Recipe

Name: Carnitas (Pulled Pork Tacos)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: Ingredients for the pork (can be halved for a small pork loin):; 3 lb boneless pork loin roast, cut into large (3-4 inch) pieces (do NOT trim away the small amount of fat); 2 tsp Kosher salt; 4 tsp ancho chile powder; 2 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper; 1/2 tsp ground cayenne pepper; 1-2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, or enough to cover the bottom of the pot; 12 fluid oz beer, (or chicken stock), preferably with citrus notes; 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice; Accoutrements for the tacos:; corn or flour tortillas; avocado slices; 2% plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream); fresh cilantro; hot sauce; lime wedges; tormatillo salsa (salsa verde)

Servings: persons

Ingredients for the pork (can be halved for a small pork loin):
3 lb boneless pork loin roast, cut into large (3-4 inch) pieces (do NOT trim away the small amount of fat)
2 tsp Kosher salt
4 tsp ancho chile powder
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
1/2 tsp ground cayenne pepper
1-2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, or enough to cover the bottom of the pot
12 fluid oz beer, (or chicken stock), preferably with citrus notes
1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
Accoutrements for the tacos:
corn or flour tortillas
avocado slices
2% plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
fresh cilantro
hot sauce
lime wedges
tormatillo salsa (salsa verde)

1
Preheat oven to 350u00b0F.
2
Combine salt and rest of spices in a small bowl. Spread spice mixture onto a plate. Evenly coat the pork pieces on all sides with the dry rub.
3
Heat oil in a dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add in the seasoned pork pieces, and sear all sides until browned (about 1 minute per side). Remove pork from the dutch oven.
4
Pour in the beer (or chicken stock) and scrape the bottom of the dutch oven to deglaze and release the browned bits of pork. Add in the orange juice, and bring mixture to a boil.
5
Add in the seared pork. Cover dutch oven and place in oven for 1/2 hour.
6
Remove lid, turn pork pieces over, and return to oven-uncovered-for about 1 1/2 hours, or until the pork is fork-tender, turning the pork pieces 1-2 times during the cooking process.
7
Shred pork right into the sauce using two forks. Toss the pulled pork with the reduced sauce. There will be less sauce than there is for BBQ pulled pork (or my Spicy Pulled Chicken), so don't expect a super saucy end result.
8
Serve with accoutrements.

1119

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

A good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well if you need a gluten-free version.
Coconut cream is a reliable plant-based alternative to dairy cream.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 19 ingredients. The key ingredients include: Ingredients for the pork (can be halved for a small pork loin):, 3 lb boneless pork loin roast, cut into large (3-4 inch) pieces (do NOT trim away the small amount of fat), 2 tsp Kosher salt, 4 tsp ancho chile powder, and more.

Yes, Carnitas (Pulled Pork Tacos) falls under the Meat & Poultry category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Carnitas (Pulled Pork Tacos)

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions