Pork Carnitas Tacos are a delicious way to enjoy succulent slow cooker Pork Carnitas. Imagine corn tortillas that have been lightly charred and filled with tender pork carnitas. These would then be warmed in a cast iron skillet to get all the crispy edges. All that’s left is for you to pile them high with your favorite toppings and devour.
If there is one go-to meal in our house, it’s tacos. To make them most of the time, we just use flour or corn tortillas, ground beef seasoned with salt and pepper, cheese, sour cream, and hot sauce.
Is this what you’re thinking? “What? No tomatoes? No lettuce? No onion?” I know. We’re weirdos.
But then there are these Pork Carnitas Tacos. They make a regular appearance in our house for a couple of reasons. First, they’re so quick to put together when you have carnitas on hand in the refrigerator or freezer. Second, they’re great for getting together with family and friends because everyone can make their own tacos and put whatever toppings they like on them.
Tacos are one of my favorite foods, and carnitas tacos are at the top of the taco hierarchy in my book. The tender, juicy pork pairs so perfectly with warm corn tortillas. But what really makes carnitas tacos next level is loading them up with delicious toppings!
I’ve experimented with all kinds of toppings over the years to find the perfect combinations for carnitas tacos. After lots of tasting and testing, I’ve narrowed it down to my 6 all-time favorite toppings to put on pork carnitas tacos. Keep reading to find out what they are!
Cilantro
Fresh cilantro is a must for any taco, especially carnitas The bright, citrusy flavor of cilantro helps cut through the rich pork I like to chop cilantro finely and sprinkle it generously over carnitas tacos. The flavor and aroma it adds are unmatched!
Cilantro contains antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties as well. So not only does it make tacos taste amazing, it’s good for you too. That makes it one of the healthiest taco toppings around.
Queso Fresco
This soft, mild Mexican cheese is another staple topping for carnitas tacos. When melted over the hot pork, queso fresco becomes creamy and coats each bite. The saltiness of the cheese perfectly balances the richness of the carnitas.
For an extra flavor punch, I recommend using Cotija or Monterey Jack cheese instead of queso fresco. Cotija is an aged Mexican cheese with a crumbly texture and strong salty flavor. Monterey Jack is a creamy, semi-soft cheese from California that has a subtle tang Both options add more bold cheese flavor to carnitas tacos.
Chipotle Lime Crema
This cool and creamy condiment takes carnitas tacos to the next level. To make it, simply whisk together lime juice, sour cream, adobo sauce from a can of chipotles in adobo, and salt. The tangy, spicy crema cools down the tacos and adds tons of flavor.
You can also use regular sour cream if you don’t want to make the crema from scratch. Sour cream adds richness and moisture to carnitas tacos, helping balance the warm pork. Just be sure to squeeze some fresh lime juice over the tacos too for a citrusy kick.
Pickled Red Onion
For an extra pop of flavor and crunch, pickled red onions are another fantastic topping for carnitas tacos. Quick-pickling your own red onion in lime juice and salt only takes about 30 minutes.
The bright, tangy onion slices cut through the richness of the pork so nicely. I like to spoon them on top of the carnitas meat in each taco. They also add great flavor, color and texture contrast.
Diced Tomatoes
Tomatoes are an integral part of many Mexican dishes. Their juiciness and acidity help cut through fattier meats like carnitas. Diced tomatoes add freshness and provide moisture to tacos when you don’t want to use salsa.
To take the flavor up a notch, toss the diced tomatoes with some lime juice, salt, chopped onion, cilantro, and minced jalapeño. This pico de gallo-style topping packs a flavor punch on carnitas tacos. The cool tomato balancing the warm pork is so satisfying.
Avocado
No taco is complete without avocado in my opinion! The creamy, rich avocado texture pairs so well with tender carnitas. And the subtle nutty flavor is the perfect complement.
I like to mash avocados with a little lime juice and salt for carnitas tacos. You get the creaminess of guacamole without having to chop everything finely. But guacamole also makes an amazing topping if you have the time to make it.
Let’s do a quick recap of all the tasty toppings:
- Fresh cilantro
- Queso fresco, Cotija, or Monterey Jack cheese
- Chipotle lime crema or sour cream
- Pickled red onions
- Diced tomatoes
- Avocado
Any of these toppings will take your carnitas tacos to the next level. But I recommend trying different combinations to find your perfect pork carnitas taco. Here are some of my favorite pairing suggestions:
- Cilantro, queso fresco, avocado
- Cotija, chipotle lime crema, pickled red onions
- Monterey Jack, diced tomatoes, avocado
- Cilantro, sour cream, pickled red onions
Get creative with mixing and matching toppings to customize carnitas tacos to your tastes. And don’t forget the other important taco elements – warm corn tortillas, diced onion, lime wedges, and hot sauce.
More of My Favorite Taco Recipes
- Shrimp Tacos: lightly charred tortillas with salt and pepper shrimp, crunchy cabbage slaw, and a creamy, spicy sauce!
- Grilled Shrimp Tacos (Tacos that everyone will love that you can cook all on the grill!)
- Tacos con carne asada (one of our favorite ways to eat tender carne asada!)
- Pork Belly Tacos include crispy pork belly on charred tortillas, crunchy cabbage slaw, and a spicy, tangy sauce. They are rich and delicious!
- Lamb tacos that are soft, perfectly spiced, piled high with toppings, and drizzled with lime crema!
What Toppings Go on Carnitas Tacos?
To make real pork carnitas tacos, all you need is charred corn tortillas, carnitas, finely chopped raw onion, cilantro, and maybe a squeeze of fresh lime. (Mexican street food tacos are often served this way. ) But you have endless options for toppings!.
- finely chopped raw white onion or red onion
- thinly sliced jalapeno
- shredded cabbage
- chopped fresh cilantro
- crumbled cotija or shredded jack cheese
- lime wedges (for a fruity kick, squeeze fresh lime juice right on top of the tacos!)
- Mexican crema or sour cream
- Guacamole
- Pico de Gallo
- Homemade Refried Beans
If you want to make this recipe for a group of friends or family, it’s easy to change it to fit your needs. A full recipe for pork carnitas kept warm in a slow cooker, stacks of warm tortillas, and lots of toppings will make a lot of people happy.
My simple pork carnitas recipe only needs 15 minutes of prep time and 8 hours in a slow cooker or crock pot to make tender, flavorful meat that melts in your mouth. The same goes for my chicken carnitas recipe. You will need a 6 to 8-pound boneless pork roast (pork butt or pork shoulder), fresh garlic cloves, tomato juice, orange juice, chipotle hot sauce, and some spices that you probably already have on hand, like ground cumin, oregano, and cinnamon. When you crisp it up in a pan, it makes a great base for all kinds of Mexican food, like these tacos, burritos, Pulled Pork Quesadillas, and Pulled Pork Nachos.
The Easiest and Most Delicious CARNITAS & TOMATILLO SALSA You Can Make at Home!
FAQ
What are the best toppings for carnitas?
What do you put on carnitas for a party?
What do you eat with pulled pork tacos?
What is a good topping for pork carnitas?
Popular toppings include salsa (red or green), cilantro, chopped onion, lime and guacamole. A variety of salsas is extremely common. Give my guajillo chile salsa a try for something different. Those are our favorites, but there are many options. Don’t forget the sprinkle of salt! Pork carnitas tacos can be served in flour or corn tortillas.
What goes well with carnitas?
Salsa is a classic topping for carnitas. It adds a bright, fresh flavor and a bit of acidity that pairs well with the rich, fatty pork. You can use store-bought salsa, or you can make your own. To make your own salsa, start by chopping up some fresh tomatoes. You can also add in some onions, peppers, cilantro, lime juice, and salt to taste.
What to serve with pork carnitas tacos?
Decorate the Mexican pork carnitas tacos with slices of avocado. Serve immediately. Just the pork carnitas with a warm soft taco can be enough and a meal all in itself but you can take your tacos to the next level. If you like this taco recipe then you’ll love these taco recipes.
What is a carnitas Taco?
Carnitas Tacos (pulled pork tacos) are THE BEST ever! The slow cooker Mexican pork is unbelievably tender and flavorful. Add a scoop of guacamole to a tortilla (or lettuce wrap!), top with a big pile of pulled pork, and dig into tacos de carnitas! Carnitas tacos are all about the slow cooked pork they’re stuffed with.