Carnitas Tacos

5 from 2 votes

Make your next Taco Tuesday one to remember with my mouthwatering Carnitas Tacos recipe! These easy tacos will be a hit for the whole family!

Prep Time10

Cook Time8 10

Total Time8 20

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: carnitas taco, carnitas taco recipe, carnitas tacos, tacos de carnitas

Servings: servings

Calories: 510kcal

See our Beef Temperature Chart for helpful tips on cooking any cut of beef!

Dice the onion, then add it and the whole jalapenos to the bottom of the slow cooker or Instant Pot.
1 Yellow onion, 2 Jalapenos
Mix together the cumin, chili powder, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Chop the pork shoulder into 2" cubes, then coat each cube with the seasoning mix.
3 lbs Pork shoulder, 2 teaspoons Cumin, 2 teaspoons Chili powder, 3 teaspoons Oregano, 2 teaspoons Garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Pepper, 2 teaspoons Salt
Add the pork to the crockpot or Instant Pot with the olive oil and orange juice.
½ cup Orange juice, 2 Tablespoons Olive oil
Turn on the crockpot on LOW for 7-8 hours, or the Instant Pot on HIGH for 45 minutes. When the time is up, turn off the crock pot, and use natural pressure release on the Instant Pot for 15 minutes. Move the pork to a cutting board and shred.
Optional: Move the pork to a baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 425°F, then bake the pork for 8-10 minutes until starting to get browned and crispy.
Strain the juices from the slow cooker, discarding the solids, then pour them over the pork.
Toast, warm, or char your favorite corn tortillas in the oven or on a skillet. Top with 2 tablespoons of carnitas in juices, and add any of your favorite toppings.
8 Corn tortillas, Taco toppings
Serve, and enjoy!

- - Carnitas are a fantastic make-ahead recipe. Start them early for fresh carnitas right before serving, or make them days ahead and freeze them in baggies for easy-thaw portions!
  - You can also use beef brisket for this recipe, but I prefer pork for the mild flavor and budget prices!
  - Serve these tacos in toasted corn tortillas for an incredible crunch, or flour tortillas for soft-shell! I like wrapping them into burritos, too! (ADD LINK)
  - For extra flavor, you can add chilies of your choice to the pot.
  - You don't need to bake the meat after cooking it- skip this step if you like your meat softer and more moist.