Welcome, taco enthusiasts! If you're in pursuit of the Best Pork Carnitas Street Tacos recipe, you've hit the jackpot. Succulent crispy pork carnitas nestled in a soft tortilla - a street food fantasy turned reality at home.
My easy carnitas street tacos recipe is not just a treat; it's a ticket to an easy culinary journey. Using a slow cooker carnitas method, we're taking a healthier twist on this classic without sacrificing flavors.
In this recipe, I will walk you through the easy steps of making slow-cooker carnitas and the typical tortillas and toppings used to recreate a Mexican "street tacos" experience.
Thanks to the magic of the slow cooker, this recipe isn't just easy; it's a masterpiece of crispy porky goodness, bursting with flavors, and ready to take your TACO TUESDAY nights to a whole new level (because, let's be honest, Tuesday needs all the love it can get). 😉
Other Amazing Recipes With Carnitas
Your leftover carnitas can transform into some PRETTY AMAZING dishes like these:
- Cuban Pulled Pork Sandwich (Cubano)
- Carnitas Fajitas
- Carnitas Quesadillas
- Carnitas Breakfast Tacos
- Burrito bowl
- Carnitas salad
Jump to:
- Other Amazing Recipes With Carnitas
- What are Carnitas?
- What are Street Tacos?
- Finish your Carnitas feast with one of these Latin-inspired desserts!
- Tools Needed to make this Recipe
- Ingredients
- Best Cut of Pork for this Carnitas Recipe
- How to Make Pork Street Tacos
- PRO TIPS
- Best Toppings and Sides to Make The Perfect Taco Night!
- Storing, freezing, and reheating
- Common questions about this CARNITAS STREET TACOS recipe
- Appetizers
- Pairing Drinks to sip with your tacos
- 📖 GET THE RECIPE! 🍽️
What are Carnitas?
Carnitas, or 'little meats' in Spanish, is a Mexican pulled pork. Traditionally, it's pork, slow-cooked in oil or lard until tender and crisped to achieve a crispy pork carnitas texture. My easy recipes are perfect for any busy night, so unlike the traditional Mexican carnitas recipe, we're using the magic of a slow cooker for a healthier twist to prep these savory carnitas that can be used for different dishes.
I've made this recipe many times and used it in many dishes, from quesadillas, fajitas, sandwiches, salad, and arepas to breakfast tacos. These carnitas are so perfect for meal prep!
What are Street Tacos?
Street tacos: Small, simple, fresh, and full of Mexican soul.
They are a central piece of Mexican culture, with stalls (carretas) lining the streets of major Mexican cities. No significant difference exists between Regular Tacos" and "Street Tacos". They are all tacos!
The "Street Tacos" are sold by street vendors and are typically associated with smaller tacos of two, maybe three bites a piece. They are more like a snack rather than a whole meal.
These tacos come with meat, a sprinkle of chopped white onion, cilantro, and a lime wedge on the side ("Taco con todo"). That's all! Some "carretas" even offer homemade corn tortillas. YUM!
What else do street vendors serve on tacos?
Offerings will vary by vendor, but a variety of toppings will be set out in the cart or stand for garnishing the tacos: salsas, guacamole, grilled Spring onions, aka Cebollas Cambray in Spanish (these Cambray onions are similar to scallions), fried chiles, cucumbers, or radishes among others.
Finish your Carnitas feast with one of these Latin-inspired desserts!
Tools Needed to make this Recipe
- Slow cooker (crock pot)
- A rimmed baking sheet or sheet pan for crisping the carnitas, or a frying pan or large skillet if you choose the stovetop method.
- A cutting board for prepping the garnishes.
- Tin foil (optional)
Ingredients
See the Printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities
- Start with My Easy Carnitas recipe made in the slow cooker. Which yields about 3 cups of Carnitas. This recipe produces the juiciest, most savory pulled pork ever that is flavored with a dry rub of spices like chili powder, black pepper, cumin, oregano, garlic, and bay leaves, along with red onion, then slow-cooked in a braising liquid made of chicken broth and citrus like orange juice and fresh lime juice
- Small Corn Tortillas - Corn adds a lot of flavors to this dish; but use flour tortillas if that’s your favorite. For an authentic Mexican street tacos experience, use small tortillas (consider 3 small tortillas per person).
- Fresh Cilantro chopped.
- White Onion Chopped – white is typical, but you can use red onion too.
- Limes cut into wedges - for a squeeze of fresh lime juice typical in these tacos.
Best Cut of Pork for this Carnitas Recipe
The best cut of meat for carnitas is a boneless Pork Shoulder or Pork Butt (also known as Boston Butt). These cuts have a higher fat content or more marble meat, meaning more flavor and juiciness. Leaner cuts like pork loin or pork tenderloin can be used but won’t give you the same succulence.
How to Make Pork Street Tacos
Here's the deal: Making authentic pork carnitas tacos isn't rocket science. It's about slow-cooking seasoned pork until it's perfectly tender. If you're cooking carnitas for the first time, fear not; this easy carnitas recipe is all you need to know..
STEP 1: COOK THE CARNITAS IN THE SLOW COOKER
- For the full instructions, refer to my detailed carnitas recipe.
- Cooking time ranges from 4-5 hours (on high setting) or until the pork is fork tender and breaks apart easily.
STEP 2: CRISP UP THE CARNITAS
- Once you’ve cooked the meat and pulled it apart using the steps outlined in my Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas Recipe, the next step is to achieve that golden brown color.
- My preferred method is to use the broiler, which allows me to crisp up a large quantity on a baking sheet.
Alternatively, I am providing the instructions for the pan-fried method too.
Broiler Method
- Turn the oven to “high” broil.
- Arrange the carnitas in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with tin foil, ensuring even distribution. Generously drizzle some of the flavorful crockpot juices over the meat.
- Broil for approximately 5 minutes allowing the carnitas to develop a delightful crispiness.
- Give them a gentle stir and return them to the broiler for 3-5 minutes or until you notice golden-brown bits on the edges. Keep them warm.
Stove Top Pan-fried Method
- Heat a tablespoon of avocado or olive oil over medium-high heat in a frying pan or large skillet.
- Spread some shredded pork onto the pan and drizzle some pan juice.
- Allow the liquids to evaporate, and keep an eye on the underside until it turns a golden brown with a crusty texture.
- Flip the meat and briefly cook the other side without over-browning. The desired outcome is tender pork without excessive crispiness. Repeat this process in multiple batches as necessary for your tacos.
PRO TIPS
- Only crisp up what you plan to eat! This ensures that you are consuming tender, juicy, and crispy carnitas every time.
- Do not discard leftover juices. Reserve them when you need to reheat your Carnitas, as meat naturally dries up after refrigeration.
STEP 3: BUILDING THE ULTIMATE CARNITAS TACOS: ASSEMBLY AND GARNISHES
- Warm the tortillas in a skillet over medium heat (a little char adds character and flavor).
- Lay the shredded pork on the warm tortillas. Sprinkle chopped onions and fresh cilantro and serve with a lime wedge. Voila! Listo!
Un taco con todo! A Taco with everything!
These slow-cooker pork carnitas street tacos aren't just a dish but an experience. A blend of fantastic flavor, convenience, and healthiness. Perfect for a Cinco de Mayo celebration or next time you crave something fantastic.
This great recipe is an easy way to introduce you to the authentic carnitas experience.
Best Toppings and Sides to Make The Perfect Taco Night!
The proper garnishes elevate a good taco to a great one. Other traditional toppings in Mexican Street Tacos:
- SAUCES AND SALSAS! A taco is only complete with a delicious Mexican salsa. Street vendors will offer a selection of hot sauces and salsas for the customers to spice up their tacos. These can elevate a taco from mild to spicy to one of the tastiest and most satisfying dishes.
Here is an excellent salsa recipe: Chipotle-Tomatillo Salsa Verde. This savory and smoky salsa has a little kick from Chipotle to complement your carnitas taco. Delish! You won’t regret it! - CHEESE: Generally, Mexican Street tacos don’t have cheese, but if your dairy tooth desires it, go for it. It’s your taco! Sprinkle some Queso Fresco or Cotija Cheese.
- Pico de Gallo, Guacamole, Fried chiles, Cucumbers, Radishes.
- Grilled spring onions or Cebollas Cambray (Cambray onions are like scallions). Here is a good recipe from Muy Delish for Cebollitas Asadas (Grilled Cambray Onions)
- Sour cream is not typical, but add it if you desire. Or this Garlic Cilantro Sauce. Yum!
SIDE DISHES
Tacos sold on a street stand will not be served with sides. But for a whole at-home meal experience, complement these tacos with:
- Mexican Rice and refried beans
- Mexican Street Corn (Elote): Grilled corn on the cob coated with mayonnaise, cheese, chili powder, and lime juice.
DON’T FORGET THE DRINKS!
Here are a few recipe suggestions:
Storing, freezing, and reheating
- Refrigerating: Place any leftover carnitas in an airtight container. They'll keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze leftover Carnitas for 3-4 months in an airtight container or freezer bag. You can double the recipe and freeze it to save time for future needs (crisp them up only when serving).
If using freezer bags, seal and squeeze out all the air, leaving about 2 inches of room at the top to allow for expansion. Flatten the meat into a thin layer to lay flat in your freezer for a quicker thaw. - Reheating: Use any reserved juices and repeat the crisping method above.
Common questions about this CARNITAS STREET TACOS recipe
It adds a subtle sweetness and helps tenderize the meat.
Replace it with Apple Juice and increase the lemon or lime juice by a couple of tablespoons.
Use reserved juice from cooking in the crockpot or add some chicken stock when reheating. It does the trick.
Browning or searing the meat is unnecessary for this slow-cooker recipe; we crisp them up after slow cooking.
Another delicious taco recipe you might like is my Tacos de Carne Asada (Chimichurri Steak Tacos) made with skirt steak. The perfect carne asada taco for a meat-lover dream.
Rate this Recipe! Leave a star rating if you've tried these Pork Carnitas Street Tacos! Your feedback is invaluable and inspires others to embark on their Latin culinary journey. Happy cooking! And Buen Provecho!
Appetizers
Pairing Drinks to sip with your tacos
📖 GET THE RECIPE! 🍽️
The Best Pork Carnitas Street Tacos (Slow Cooker Recipe)
- Prep Time: 30 minutes (10 minutes for the slow-cooker carnitas and 20 minutes for the tacos)
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours for slow-cooking the meat and 10 minutes for crisping.
- Total Time: 5 hours and 30 minutes
- Yield: 3 cups of Carnitas/18 tacos 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
This is an easy recipe for slow-cooked succulent pork carnitas nestled in a warm tortilla and sprinkled with diced onions, cilantro, and fresh lime juice to recreate a Carnitas Street Tacos experience. Fantastic for a weeknight dinner or feeding a crowd. Savory, healthy, and simply delicious!
TOOLS NEEDED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE:
- Slow cooker (crock pot)
- A rimmed baking sheet or sheet pan for crisping the carnitas, or a frying pan or large skillet if you choose the stovetop method.
- A cutting board for prepping the garnishes.
- Tin foil (optional).
Ingredients
- Start with My Easy Carnitas recipe. Which yields about 3 cups of Carnitas.
- 18 small Corn Tortillas - Use flour tortillas if that’s your favorite. For an authentic Mexican street tacos experience, use small tortillas.
- 1 cup of Fresh Cilantro chopped.
- 1 large White Onion Chopped - white is typical, but you can use red onion too.
- 4 Limes cut into wedges.
- Olive or Avocado oil as needed for crisping the carnitas (if using the stove top method).
Instructions
Step 1: COOK THE CARNITAS IN THE SLOW COOKER
For the full instructions, refer to my detailed carnitas recipe.
Cooking time ranges from 4-5 hours (on high setting) or until the pork is fork tender and breaks apart easily.
Step 2: CRISP UP THE CARNITAS
Once you’ve cooked the meat and pulled it apart using the steps outlined in my Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas Recipe, the next step is to achieve that golden brown color. My preferred method is to use the broiler, which allows me to crisp up a large quantity on a baking sheet. Alternatively, I am providing the instructions for the pan-fried method.
Broiler method:
- Turn the oven to “high” broil. Arrange the carnitas in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil, ensuring even distribution. Generously drizzle some of the flavorful crockpot juices over the meat.
- Broil for approximately 5 minutes, allowing the carnitas to develop crispy edges and golden-brown color. Give them a gentle stir and return them to the broiler for 3-5 minutes or until you notice golden-brown bits on the edges. Keep them warm.
Stovetop Pan-fried method:
- Heat a tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat in a frying pan or large skillet.
- Spread some shredded pork onto the pan and drizzle some pan juice.
- Allow the liquids to evaporate, and keep an eye on the underside until it turns a golden brown with a crusty texture.
- Flip the meat and briefly cook the other side without over-browning. The desired outcome is tender pork without excessive crispiness. Repeat this process in multiple batches as necessary for your tacos.
Step 3: ASSEMBLY AND GARNISHES
- Warm the tortillas in a skillet over medium heat (a little char adds character and flavor).
- Lay the shredded pork on the warm tortillas. Sprinkle chopped onions and fresh cilantro and serve with a lime wedge. Voila! Listo!
Notes
Other traditional toppings in Mexican Street Tacos:
SAUCES AND SALSAS! A taco is only complete with a delicious Mexican salsa. These can elevate a taco from mild to spicy to one of the tastiest and most satisfying dishes. Here is an excellent recipe for Chipotle-Tomatillo Salsa Verde. This savory and smoky salsa has a little kick from Chipotle to complement your carnitas taco. Delish! You won’t regret it!
CHEESE: Generally, Mexican Street tacos don’t have cheese, but if you desire, sprinkle some Queso Fresco or Cotija Cheese.
Pico de Gallo, Guacamole, Fried chiles, Cucumbers, Radishes. Grilled spring onions or Cebollas Cambray (Cambray onions are like scallions).
OTHER TIPS:
Only crisp up what you plan to eat! This ensures that you are consuming tender, juicy, and crispy carnitas every time. Do not discard leftover juices. Reserve them when you need to reheat your Carnitas, as meat naturally dries up after refrigeration.
Storing, freezing, and reheating
Refrigerating: Place any leftover carnitas in an airtight container. They'll keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezing: You can freeze leftover Carnitas for 3-4 months in an airtight container or freezer bag. You can double the recipe and freeze it to save time for future needs (crisp them up only when serving). If using freezer bags, seal and squeeze out all the air, leaving about 2 inches of room at the top to allow for expansion. Flatten the meat into a thin layer to lay flat in your freezer for a quicker thaw.
Reheating: Use any reserved juices and repeat the crisping method above.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 tacos
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 1240.3 mg
- Fat: 17.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 59.6 g
- Fiber: 9.1 g
- Protein: 56.7 g
Cristina says
I’ve tried this recipe, and the carnitas were fantastic—super tender and full of flavor. Great choice for taco night!
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Carnitas cravings, satisfied!😎 Lettuce taco 'bout it. 😉❤️
Amy Liu Dong says
Wow! This Taco dish looks amazingly delicious! Plus the presentation makes it so enticing and very tempting! Perfect for any occasion and it will be instantly loved.
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Nothing beats a delicious and beautiful dish. I'm so happy you found your new favorite taco recipe. A feast for the eyes and the taste buds.😉 Enjoy! 😊
Agnieszka says
Great carnitas tacos recipes. I made these with corn tortillas and also added some sliced jalapeños. So good!
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
That's great! I love corn tortillas on mine too (classic choice!). Jalapeños add a nice kick (Great idea 😊)
Thanks for leaving your review and rating!
Nicole Kendrick says
This is such a great recipe. The meat is so tender, and it's so easy to make it in the slow cooker.
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
I'm so glad you loved it! The slow cooker sure makes it convenient and so easy to achieve that tender, flavorful meat. Thanks for your comment, Nicole! ❤️😊
Amy says
Can't belive how simple this recipe is and yet so delicious. Definitely going to make this on a rotation for our family meals!
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
That's fantastic, Amy! You nailed it. Simple and delicious is the secret to a happy family. And, taco Tuesday just got a whole lot easier. 😉
Thanks for leaing a comment!
Claudia Cristina Ciorteanu says
Tried this recipe and the pork carnitas were incredible! Perfectly tender and full of flavor. Thanks for sharing!
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Hi Claudia,
I'm so glad you loved the Pork Carnitas! Thanks for taking the time to share your positive feedback! 🙂
Sonja says
I always thought Carnitas are super complicated to make, but your oven recipe taught me better. I had pulled pork left over and used it for these, making for a super quick and delicious dinner. Added more veggies and some guac and it was just what I needed!
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Hi Sonja,
I'm thrilled you found this recipe so helpful! Sounds like you created a perfect meal. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Nicole says
These tacos were incredible! Super simple recipe, but packed with deliciousness!
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Awesome! These tacos deserve all the stars! 😉 So happy you loved them.
Liz says
These are amazing!!! So delicious and flavorful. My family loved every bite.
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Woohoo! Happy to hear your family devoured these tacos! The best compliment a recipe can get. 🙂 Thanks!
Jeanie says
Super yummy, like a street taco should be. Thanks for recipe.
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Thanks, Jeanie! Street Tacos are the best, easy and simple. 🙂
Bernice says
I've never met a taco I didn't like and these carnitas delivered on the flavour big time! I'm glad I did a dry run for cinco de mayo and I can't wait to make them again soon!
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Hi Bernice,
Me neither! I love just about any tacos. I am happy that you liked these carnitas tacos recipe. 🙂
Elizabeth says
Carnitas are a favorite in my house. Loved being able to make these in the slow cooker! Easy dinner for my family.
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Thanks, Elizabeth! I love the simplicity of using a slow cooker too, and let it do the work for you. 🙂
I am glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Kim Beaulieu says
These are the best street tacos we've ever tried. Cannot wait to make them again!
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Thank you, Kim! I am so glad you liked them. 🙂
Tina says
This carnitas taco recipe was so good! Definitely going to make it again.
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Thanks, Tina! I am so glad you liked it. 🙂