Tacos de Carnitas con Cebolla Encurtida (Carnitas Tacos)
Crisp-edged, juicy pulled pork in warm corn tortillas with tomatillo salsa and tangy pickled red onions.
Made with Salsa verde (cooked tomatillo salsa) and Pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas) and Carnitas (slow cooked pork). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time25 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £3.31 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the lard in a large frying pan over a high heat. Add your ready made carnitas (see the base recipe) in one layer.
- 2
Fry for 6 to 8 minutes, turning once, until the edges are crisp and golden and the pork is hot all the way through.
7 min - 3
Warm the tortillas in a dry pan for 20 seconds per side, or wrap in foil and heat in the oven.
0 min 40 s - 4
Pile the pork into the tortillas. Spoon over your ready made salsa verde (see the base recipe).
- 5
Top with your ready made pickled red onions (see the base recipe), chopped onion and coriander, and serve with lime wedges.
Tips
- Let the pork sit in the pan without stirring so it crisps.
- Double up the tortillas, as street vendors do, so they hold the juicy filling.
- A squeeze of orange juice into the pan adds caramelisation.
Storing and freezing
Leftover filling keeps 3 days chilled; reheat until piping hot. Assembled tacos do not keep.
Questions
What is the best cut for carnitas?
Pork shoulder or belly. The base recipe uses slow cooked pork, so you only need to crisp it here.
Can I make carnitas tacos in the oven?
Yes. Spread the pork on a tray and roast at 220C (200C fan) for 10 to 12 minutes until crisp.
How many tacos per person?
Three tacos each is a hearty portion, or two if you are serving other dishes alongside.
More made with salsa verde (cooked tomatillo salsa)
Tostadas de Coliflor al Pastor (Pastor Cauliflower Tostadas)
GFDFEFEmpanadas de Rajas y Queso Oaxaca (Poblano and Cheese Empanadas)
VNFSopes de Carnitas (Thick Masa Cups with Pork)
GFEFNFCostillas de Cerdo en Salsa Verde (Pork Ribs in Green Salsa)
DFEFNFSee every dish made with salsa verde (cooked tomatillo salsa)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.