Super tender, flavorful pork with a citrusy kick makes the best tacos!
Few things make me happier than coming home from a long, tiring day and smelling the pulled pork that’s been in my slow cooker for eight hours. That enticing aroma makes my mouth water, my stomach rumble, and my heart happy because I know in a very short time, I will be eating pulled pork tacos.
But these aren’t just any pulled pork tacos. Orange juice brings a bright, tangy, citrusy sweetness to the boldly spiced meat. The combination of flavors, including garlic and onions, is so delicious. Whether you’re using crispy shells or soft tortillas, these melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork tacos are a flavor bomb and will become a family favorite in no time.
It really couldn’t be easier to have pulled pork taco night at your house, thanks to the slow cooker. After eight hours, the meat will be so tender that it only takes minutes to shred. The taste from the spice blend is really out of this world: a wonderful balance of garlic, onion, and chili powders with cumin and paprika. Then the gorgeous tart and fruity notes from the orange juice and richness from the chicken broth add depth and complexity. No, you will not be able to resist popping a few shreds into your mouth before that pulled pork gets nestled inside the tacos for serving.
Your favorite toppings belong on these pulled pork tacos. Around here, we love Pickled Red Onions, some kind of cheese, and this sweet and spicy Chipotle Sauce.
Perfect pulled pork tacos
In your spice blend, use kosher salt and coarse-ground black pepper. You can add a little cayenne pepper, too, if you want a bit of heat. Be sure to mix all of the spices together until well combined, and rub the spice blend into the pork pieces so that each one is fully covered. Let the pork cook for the entire recommended time in the recipe to ensure it becomes fork-tender and easy to shred. The two-fork method works beautifully for shredding the pork, but you can also use your mixer with a paddle attachment or even your hands. We always put the shredded meat back into the slow cooker for a few minutes so that it can absorb all of that delicious cooking liquid.
How do I store leftovers?
Cooled pulled pork can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Serving suggestions
For a simple weeknight dinner, serve pulled pork tacos with some Baked Rice, Pinto Beans, and a side of Salsa. If you have more time, either Elote (Mexican Street Corn) or Esquites (Mexican Street Corn Salad) make great sides for these tacos, especially topped with Mexican Crema.
If you have leftover pulled pork, it will make a perfect entrée. You can serve it with coleslaw using this amazing dressing, some Potato Salad, and a side of Jenny’s Cornbread for a yummy, summery meal. Or you can do my favorite thing with leftover pulled pork, which is to make a sandwich! I like to stuff these Pandesal rolls with the pulled pork and then add a Sunny-Side Up Egg, crispy Onion Rings for crunch, and a generous drizzle of Jalapeño Sauce.
Pulled Pork Tacos
Ingredients
- 4 pounds boneless pork shoulder
- 1 teaspoon salt plus more to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 medium onion sliced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 12 corn or flour tortillas
- Preferred toppings for serving such as pickled onions, cheese, or cilantro
Instructions
- Trim excess fat from the pork shoulder and cut it into large pieces.
- Mix the salt, black pepper, chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder until combined.
- Rub the spice mixture all over the pork pieces.
- Layer sliced onion and minced garlic in a slow cooker, then top with seasoned pork.
- Pour the chicken broth and orange juice over the pork.
- Cook on low for 8 hours until pork is tender and shreds easily.
- Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir it into the juices if desired.
- Warm tortillas in a skillet or microwave until soft.
- Fill each tortilla with shredded pork. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy.
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