Mexican Pulled Pork Tacos: A Delicious Journey to Flavor Town!

Name: Mexican Pulled Pork Tacos
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 h
Total time: 5 h 15 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 3-4 pounds of pork shoulder or pork butt; 1 onion, roughly chopped; 4 cloves of garlic, minced; 2 tablespoons chili powder; 1 tablespoon cumin; 1 tablespoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon oregano; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1 cup chicken broth (or beer); Juice of 2 limes; Corn tortillas; Fresh cilantro, chopped; Diced onions; Sour cream or Mexican crema; Salsa (store-bought or homemade); Avocado, sliced; Limes, for squeezing; Hot sauce, optional

Hey there, taco lover! 🍴 Have you ever bitten into a taco that made you question every other taco you’ve ever eaten? I have, and it was all thanks to Mexican pulled pork tacos. If you’re looking for a way to up your taco game, you’ve just hit the jackpot! In this article, we’re diving into the luscious world of pulled pork tacos, from the how-tos to the toppings that’ll make you dance like no one’s watching.

What Makes Mexican Pulled Pork Tacos So Special?

Let’s get real for a second—what’s not to love? Pulled pork tacos are like a warm hug for your taste buds. You’ve got that slow-cooked meat, which is so tender, it practically begs to be eaten. Then there’s the vibrant array of toppings that can elevate your taco game to legendary status. Honestly, if you haven’t tried them yet, what are you even doing with your life? 😆

A Little Backstory on Pulled Pork

Pulled pork originates from the southern United States but has found its way into Mexican cuisine, and boy are we glad it did! Imagine succulent pork, marinated in spices and cooked low and slow until it’s tender enough to pull apart with a fork (or your fingers, no judgment here). Traditionally, it’s seasoned with a mix of spices that give it that mouthwatering, smoky flavor. Who can resist that?!

Getting Started: Ingredients You’ll Need

Alright, let’s gather our battle gear! Here’s a handy list of ingredients for your Mexican pulled pork tacos. Trust me; you’ll want to have these on hand:

For the Pulled Pork:

3-4 pounds of pork shoulder or pork butt (trust me, fat = flavor)
1 onion, roughly chopped
4 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup chicken broth (or you can totally use beer, because why not?)
Juice of 2 limes

For the Tacos:

Corn tortillas (the real thing, please)
Fresh cilantro, chopped
Diced onions
Sour cream or Mexican crema
Salsa (store-bought works, but homemade = next-level)

Extras:

Avocado, sliced
Limes, for squeezing
Hot sauce, if you’re feeling spicy

Okay, now that we’ve got our ingredients, let’s get to the good stuff. How do you transform this mountain of goodies into taco perfection?

Cooking Up a Storm: How to Make Pulled Pork

Step 1: Marinate and Season

Start by seasoning the pork shoulder with a cheeky rub of chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. You can marinate it overnight if you want to plan ahead, but really, seasoning it an hour before cooking also does the trick. Pro tip: Get your hands dirty—it’s more fun! 😉

Step 2: Slow Cook That Bad Boy

You can go two routes here: slow cooker or oven.

In a Slow Cooker: Place the seasoned pork, onion, garlic, and chicken broth (or beer—no judgment) into the slow cooker. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4–5 hours. Easy peasy!
In the Oven: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Place everything in a Dutch oven, cover it, and pop it in the oven for about 4–5 hours. Check for tenderness—that’s your golden ticket!

Step 3: Pull and Shred

Once the pork is done and smells like heaven, take it out and let it rest for about 15 minutes. Then, easily shred it with two forks (or your bare hands if you’re feeling brave). Mix in that lime juice for an extra burst of flavor. Your kitchen will smell like a Mexican fiesta—who needs a party when you have this?

Building Your Tacos: The Assembly Line

Now for the fun part: taco assembly! 🥳 Grab those warm tortillas and start piling on the goodness. Here’s my go-to method:

Layer of Pulled Pork: Start with a generous serving of your deliciously smoky pulled pork.
Onions and Cilantro: Sprinkle on diced onions and fresh cilantro. These add a crunch that balances the rich meat perfectly.
Drizzle of Cream: A touch of sour cream or Mexican crema brings everything together—like an adorable taco hug!
Salsa and Avocados: Top it off with salsa and sliced avocado if you’re feeling fancy!

Now, I know what you might be thinking—“Should I add hot sauce?” Here’s my answer: if you enjoy a good sting of spice, go for it! But don’t forget to taste first. You want flavor, not fire!

The Art of Pairing

Tacos are just like a good Netflix binge—you can’t enjoy them alone! Here are a few side dishes that pair wonderfully with pulled pork tacos:

Refried Beans: A classic and super comforting side. Add cheese on top, and you’ll be in snack heaven.
Mexican Rice: Make it flavorful with cilantro and lime. It’s like the perfect sidekick to your taco.
Grilled Corn: Loaded with butter and a sprinkle of chili powder? Yes, please!

Final Touches: How to Make It Truly Yours

What’s great about Mexican pulled pork tacos is that they’re totally customizable. Want to keep it vegetarian? Try jackfruit instead of pork, seasoned with the same spices. Feeling adventurous? Toss on some pickled jalapeños for an extra kick!

The Best Toppings for Tacos

Here’s a fun little list of toppings you can mix and match:

Spicy pickled onions 🌶️
Cotija cheese (because cheese!)
Mango salsa for a sweet twist
Crunchy cabbage for texture

Wrapping It All Up

So there you have it, friends! Mexican pulled pork tacos are not just a meal; they’re a delightful experience. Whether you’re whipping these up for Taco Tuesday or just because it’s Thursday and you deserve it, remember that the best part is sharing them (or not!).

Grab your ingredients, call a few friends (or don’t—more for you!), and enjoy the ride to flavor town. And, hey, next time someone asks you what the best taco is, you can confidently say, “Pulled pork, baby!” 🥳

Do you have any unique toppings or twists on this recipe? Let me know in the comments below! Happy taco-ing! 💖