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Home » Tacos » Easy Weeknight Pork Carnitas Tacos

Published: Feb 14, 2019 · Modified: Mar 27, 2019 by Karly · This post may contain affiliate links

Easy Weeknight Pork Carnitas Tacos

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These spicy pork carnitas tacos have a wondrous weeknight twist, swapping the traditional slow-cooked pork shoulder for ground pork instead. A flavor-infused pork carnitas recipes with diced poblano peppers and red onion, with a hearty dose of spicy Mexican seasoning, stirred together in a thick, fragrant sauce and ready in just 15 minutes. Served with quick-pickled onions, queso fresco, and a drizzle of chipotle lime sour cream, grab a tortilla and get ready to nosh on some noms that will send your tastebuds soaring.

overhead view of weeknight pork carnitas tacos by Minneapolis food blogger A Simple Pantry.

A problem with a solution

I adore pork carnitas, truly I do. My slow cooker version is amazing, and you can do so much with the leftovers. But, it’s time intensive, even as a slow cooker meal.

When I’m craving carnitas on a weeknight, I want it now. So if I didn’t buy a pork butt, and didn’t get it in the slow cooker in the AM, I’m screwed, right?

No! That is how these bad boys were born. I think you’re going to love them as much as I do, and I promise, they are kid-approved too.

side view of weeknight pork carnitas tacos sprinkled with cheese and cilantro from minneapolis food blogger a simple pantryside view of a skillet filled with weeknight pork carnitas tacos filling, with garnishes in the background

What is pork carnitas?

In the most basic sense, pork carnitas is the Mexican version of pulled pork!

Instead of a simple salt and pepper base and a hearty helping of barbecue sauce, carnitas goes in a completely different direction.

  • Spicy and sweet with peppers and orange or citrus overtones.
  • Lightly fried after shredding.
  • Served in tortillas instead of buns.

Plus, unlike the BBQ version, pork carnitas is usually served with a wide array of toppings!

overhead view of two hands dishing out weeknight pork carnitas tacos into tortillas with small bowls of garnishes in the center, by minneapolis food blogger a simple pantryoverhead view of weeknight pork carnitas tacos by minneapolis food blogger a simple pantry

What to top pork carnitas with!

On the subject of toppings, let’s talk about some of the best, and my fave, things to put on top of pork carnitas tacos!

  • Cilantro
  • Queso Fresco, Cotija, or Monterey Jack Cheese
  • Chipotle Lime Crema or Sour Cream
  • Pickled Red Onion
  • Diced Tomatoes
  • Avocado

Some people like to go super simple and just throw some cilantro and onion on their tacos, a la street taco style, but on this weeknight version in particular, I am all about those pickled onions, cheese, and chipotle lime sour cream. Yum!

angled view of weeknight pork carnitas tacos by minnesota food blogger a simple pantry

How to prepare pork carnitas tacos

This recipe is so simple that you could do it with your eyes closed.

But, I mean, don’t actually do it with your eyes closed. That’s kind of dangerous. Knives, hot pans, grease, etc. Take this as my official disclaimer, ha ha ha.

All you need is one pan. Bam!

  • Pop the poblano peppers and onion in the pan and cook until they’re soft.
  • Add the ground pork and cook until no longer pink.
  • Add the seasonings and the sauce and you’re done!

I like to heat tortillas on a hot comal or dry skillet, but you can always wrap them in paper towels and pop them in the microwave for 30-60 seconds. You won’t get that great golden crispness of a comal-cooked tortilla, but they’ll be warm, and that’s what matters.

angled view of weeknight pork carnitas tacos by minnesota food blogger a simple pantry

Weeknight Pork Carnitas Tacos

If you’re looking for a pork carnitas recipe fit for a fast weeknight dinner, then you definitely need to whip up these easy and delicious tacos. With flavorful poblano peppers, and a super simple spicy sauce, these pork carnitas tacos will be an instant hit with the whole family! Top with quick-pickled onions, queso fresco, chipotle lime sour cream, and cilantro for the perfect taco tuesday dinner!

If you like this recipe, please give it a 5 star rating.

You may also like…

  • Seared Steak with Corn, Poblano, and Roasted Potato Hash
  • Huli Huli Chicken Tacos
  • Pulled Pork Quesadilla Tacos with Spicy Raspberry Salsa
  • Chickpea Falafel Pita Tacos

Easy Weeknight Pork Carnitas Tacos

With flavorful poblano peppers, and a super simple spicy sauce, these pork carnitas tacos will be an instant hit with the whole family! Top with quick-pickled onions, queso fresco, chipotle lime sour cream, and cilantro for the perfect taco tuesday dinner!
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 668kcal
Author: Karly Gomez

Ingredients

Quick-Pickled Onions

  • 1.5 cups red onion sliced thin
  • 4 teaspoons sugar
  • 5 teaspoons white wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons water

Chipotle Lime Sour Cream

  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
  • 1.5 teaspoons fresh lime juice
  • 1-2 teaspoons water as needed

Pork Carnitas Tacos

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 poblano peppers deseeded and diced
  • 1.5 cups red onion diced
  • 1.5 lbs ground pork
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoons chicken broth concentrate
  • ½ cup water
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 12 flour tortillas
  • 1 cup queso fresco
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro chopped
US Customary - Metric

Nutrition

Serving: 2tacos | Calories: 668kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 100mg | Sodium: 1233mg | Potassium: 787mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 915IU | Vitamin C: 43.4mg | Calcium: 245mg | Iron: 4.4mg
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Imagery Shot With

photo-accessoriesCanon EOS 6D | Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens

 

 

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About Karly

From her childhood home in Southern Minnesota, Karly embraces the crazy of everyday life by creating delicious dishes her family and friends love, while experimenting with new flavors and techniques and photographing the results. Karly’s love for beautiful foods and joy for creating is infectious to all who meet her.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. DB says

    August 12, 2019 at 12:54 pm

    Am I a dummy? Can’t see directions, just ingredients.

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      July 19, 2020 at 10:20 am

      All you need is one pan. Bam!

      Pop the poblano peppers and onion in the pan and cook until they’re soft.
      Add the ground pork and cook until no longer pink.
      Add the seasonings and the sauce and you’re done!

      It was just a little above the ingredients list

      Reply
  2. Marjory says

    February 22, 2019 at 8:54 am

    5 stars
    We loved everything about this recipe and the sour cream topping was a big hit!

    Reply
  3. Renee Goerger says

    February 22, 2019 at 8:18 am

    5 stars
    My entire family looks forward to these weeknight pork carnitas whenever I serve them. They’re delish and so easy to make!

    Reply
  4. Milkfrothertop says

    February 19, 2019 at 6:27 am

    5 stars
    I like this food. Delicious and healthy, as well as easy to cook! Cooked and was pleased.

    Reply
  5. Julie Evink says

    February 14, 2019 at 10:59 am

    5 stars
    YESSS! Love that I can still have pork carnitas when I don’t plan ahead, which is like ALWAYS!

    Reply
  6. Shadi Hasanzadenemati says

    February 14, 2019 at 10:57 am

    5 stars
    Love the onions and the sour cream! Can’t wait to try them!

    Reply

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author karly gomez of a simple pantry with a background of red bell peppers
Hi, I'm Karly! Welcome to A Simple Pantry, where you’ll find inspiration for any meal and every occasion with tried-and-tested recipes, step-by-step tutorials, and occasional cooking videos that help you prepare easy gourmet dishes the whole family will love.
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i prefer margaritas and sitting in the shade to piña coladas and getting caught in the rain.

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