Pork Tacos
Slow-Roasted Pork Carnitas
We eat tacos a lot in our house. Luckily, tacos are one of those meals that everyone loves — even picky eaters. My kids are actually great eaters overall, but somehow everything tastes even better when it's tucked into a warm tortilla and piled high with sour cream, cheese, and salsa.
One of the things I love most about taco night is that everyone gets to choose their own adventure. I set out all the toppings and let the kids build their tacos exactly the way they like them. It makes dinner easy, fun, and surprisingly stress-free.
These tacos use my slow-roasted pork carnitas, which cook low and slow overnight until the meat is fall-apart tender and full of flavor. The citrus, cinnamon, and bay leaf create a rich, slightly bright flavor that’s perfect for tacos.
If you're short on time, you can absolutely speed things up by using a pressure cooker or even grabbing pre-cooked pulled pork from the grocery store. But if you have the time, the overnight method is worth it — your house will smell amazing and the pork turns out incredibly tender.
Pile the carnitas into warm tortillas and top with anything you love — cheese, salsa, cilantro, avocado, or sour cream. It's an easy dinner that feels a little special every time.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10–12 hours (for slow-cooked pork)
Servings: 6–8
Pork Carnitas
1 bone-in pork butt (pork shoulder)
Salt (enough to fully coat the meat)
2 oranges
3 limes
1 bay leaf
2 cinnamon sticks
1. Prepare the Pork
Pat the pork butt dry and generously coat the entire surface with salt.
Place the pork in a roasting pan fatty side up.
Juice the oranges and limes over the meat, then place the squeezed citrus rinds directly into the pan with the pork.
Add the bay leaf and cinnamon sticks to the pan.
2. Slow Roast
Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and then foil.
Place in the oven and cook overnight at 215°F for about 10–12 hours, until the pork is extremely tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.
3. Shred the Meat
Remove the pork from the oven and discard the citrus rinds, bay leaf, and cinnamon sticks.
Use two forks to shred the pork into bite-sized pieces. Mix the shredded meat with some of the cooking juices to keep it moist and flavorful.
4. Build Your Tacos
Warm tortillas and fill them with the shredded pork carnitas.
Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Taco Topping Ideas
Set out bowls of toppings so everyone can build their own tacos.
Shredded cheddar cheese
Fresh cilantro
Pico de gallo
Sour cream
Diced onion
Chipotle mayo
Avocado
Tips for the Best Carnitas
Don’t skip the citrus. The oranges and limes add brightness and help tenderize the pork.
Cook it low and slow. The low temperature allows the fat to slowly render and creates incredibly tender meat.
Want crispy carnitas? After shredding, spread the pork on a baking sheet and broil for a few minutes until the edges crisp up.