Tacos de Carnitas con Cebolla Encurtida (Crisp Pork Tacos)
Meltingly tender, crisp edged pork carnitas in warm corn tortillas with sharp pink pickled onions and radish.
Made with Pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas) and Corn tortillas from masa harina and Carnitas (slow cooked pork). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time25 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.79 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
Use your ready made carnitas (see the base recipe). If they are cold from the fridge, take them out 20 minutes before cooking.
- 2
Heat the oil in a large non stick or cast iron frying pan over a high heat. Add the carnitas in one layer and fry for 5 to 6 minutes, turning once or twice, until the edges are dark and crisp and the meat is steaming hot all the way through.
5 min 30 s - 3
Warm your ready made corn tortillas (see the base recipe) in a dry pan for 20 to 30 seconds a side and keep them wrapped in a tea towel.
- 4
Spoon the crisp pork onto the tortillas. Top with the pickled red onions, radish, avocado and coriander.
- 5
Squeeze over lime and serve straight away with any extra pickled onion on the side.
Tips
- Fry in two batches if your pan is small. A crowded pan steams the pork and you lose the crisp edges that make carnitas special.
- If the pork seems dry, add 1 tbsp of the jellied juices from the carnitas container when you fry it.
- The sharp pickled onion cuts the richness of the pork, so be generous with it.
- Add a spoonful of salsa taquera or salsa verde at the table for heat.
Storing and freezing
Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days once assembled ingredients are stored separately. Cool within 1 to 2 hours and reheat the pork in a hot pan until steaming hot all the way through. Do not reheat more than once.
Questions
Can I crisp the carnitas in the oven?
Yes. Spread the pork on a lined tray and roast at 230C (210C fan) for 12 to 15 minutes, turning once, until the edges are dark and crunchy.
Are these tacos gluten free and dairy free?
Yes. Pork, pickled onions, avocado and masa harina tortillas contain no gluten, dairy, egg or nuts. Check the masa harina pack for a gluten free label if you cook for someone with coeliac disease.
What else goes well with carnitas tacos?
Frijoles de la olla, arroz rojo and a bowl of guacamole make a full meal. A cold beer or a jug of agua fresca is the classic drink.
More made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Tostadas de Cochinita Pibil (Yucatan Pibil Pork Tostadas)
GFDFEFMojarra Frita con Frijoles y Arroz Verde (Fried Whole Fish Plate)
DFEFNFTacos de Hongos al Adobo (Mushroom Adobo Tacos)
GFDFEFCochinita Pibil (Yucatan Slow Roast Pork)
DFEFNFSee every dish made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
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.