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Crispy Carnitas Tacos

October 15, 2024

Zesty salsa verde served over delicious, authentic pork carnitas, these tacos will be your new, fast and easy go-to meal.

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crispy carnitas tacos in warmed corn tortillas topped with onion, cilantro and salsa verde served with lime wedges
Photography by Gayle McLeod

The Best Carnitas Taco Recipe, We Promise!

Our carnitas tacos feature our succulent Carnitas and tender, warm tortillas. If you’re looking for crowd-pleasing comfort food or something to bring to your next game day gathering, this recipe is a must try! Okay, but what does carnitas style mean exactly? The word carnitas can be translated to, little meats in Spanish. What kind of meat is carnitas you ask? Traditionally, carnitas is slow simmered pork shoulder that renders in its own fat until extremely tender and falling apart. The pork is then fried until the edges become golden brown, or as we like to call it, carnitas. Another reason to love this recipe is the 10 minute prep time! Once your carnitas is cooked, it only takes 5 minutes to assemble your tacos and it’s time to eat!

crispy pork carnitas, corn tortillas, salsa verde, onion, cilantro and lime wedges in bowls to make crispy carnitas tacos

The Perfect Toppings For Carnitas Tacos

This tasty and simple meal uses warm tortillas as the base for your crispy, tender carnitas to lay on. The secret to the best carnitas tacos definitely comes down to the meat itself! We recommend making our homemade carnitas tacos slow cooker method, which can easily be started before you leave for work and will be ready by the time you get home. Throw on some delicious toppings and you have yourself a quick and effortless anytime meal. Here’s everything you’ll need to make these addictively delicious, easy carnitas tacos:

crispy pork carnitas, corn tortillas, salsa verde, onion, cilantro and lime wedges in bowls to make crispy carnitas tacos

Put Your Extra Carnitas to Use and Make Mini Carnitas Tacos!

Don’t let any of your carnitas go to waste. Repurpose and make them mini! Everything is cuter and a little bit tastier when it comes in a miniature size - or at least we think so! Simply make smaller sized corn tortillas at home, or purchase store bought mini, street size taco tortillas. Fill each round with carnitas, finely chopped onion, a few cilantro leaves, drizzle with Salsa Verde and a squeeze of lime juice - an easy appetizer or kiddo’s lunch that will be sure to please!

crispy carnitas tacos on a plate surrounded by bowls of chopped onion, cilantro, salsa verde and lime wedges for topping

How To Make Carnitas Tacos

It’s time to get cooking! Let’s make some carnitas tacos!

  1. Make the Carnitas. Get those pork ends nice and crispy!

  2. Make Salsa Verde! You can make this up to 1 week in advance.

  3. Prepare the toppings! Chop the onion, roughly chop the cilantro, and warm or toast the tortillas.

  4. Fill the tortillas with carnitas and all the yummy toppings!

  5. Eat delicious and crispy, tacos de carnitas!

crispy carnitas tacos in homemade corn tortillas topped with onion, cilantro and salsa verde served with lime wedges

Tools You’ll Need

What to Serve With Crispy Carnitas Tacos

Wanting to know what goes good with carnitas tacos? These tacos are really a meal all on their own, but it’s always nice to offer a few side dishes too! Here are a few of our favorite recipes to serve with these easy carnitas tacos:

crispy carnitas tacos in homemade corn tortillas topped with onion, cilantro and salsa verde served with lime wedges

Crispy Carnitas Tacos For All!

We want to know what you think! Snap a photo of your crispy carnitas tacos, and maybe even a video of the amazing, lucky people you share them with! Tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper. Happy eating!

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Crispy Carnitas Tacos

  • Serves:  6
  • Prep Time:  10 min
  • Cook Time:  8 hrs
  • Calories:  604

Video

Ingredients

Method

  1. Divide the carnitas evenly among the tortillas. Top each taco with onion, cilantro, salsa verde, and a squeeze of lime juice.

Nutrition Info

  • Per Serving
  • Amount
  • Calories 604
  • Protein 48 g
  • Carbohydrates 28 g
  • Total Fat 34 g
  • Dietary Fiber 4 g
  • Cholesterol 140 mg
  • sodium 1110 mg
  • Total Sugars 7 g

Crispy Carnitas Tacos

Questions & Reviews

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  • Kay

    These are such an easy impressive dinner. SO THANKFUL for this delicious recipe.

    Thanks Kay!