Jul 17 2026
RestaurantsOrale Mexican KitchenCarnitas Taco Recipe

Carnitas Taco Recipe

Time3h
Serves4

Braised Crisp Pork Belly, Marinated Red Onions, Salsa Verde & Cilantro

Was this page helpful?

Help improve this recipe for others.

Send this recipe to your inbox.

We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.

Ingredients

Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Carnitas Taco Ingredients

Method

Cooking Directions

  1. 1

    Prepare the Pork Belly

    Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Rub the pork belly with salt, black pepper, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder. Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork belly on all sides until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes per side.

  2. 2

    Braised Cooking

    Cover the skillet with a lid or aluminum foil and transfer it to the preheated oven. Braise the pork belly for about 2.5 to 3 hours, or until it is extremely tender.

  3. 3

    Make Marinated Red Onions

    While the pork is cooking, thinly slice the red onion and place it in a bowl. Add lime juice and a pinch of salt. Toss to coat and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.

  4. 4

    Crisp the Pork

    Once the pork is tender, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. Increase the oven temperature to 475°F (245°C). Cut the pork belly into bite-sized pieces and spread them on a baking sheet. Roast for an additional 10-15 minutes until the edges are crisp.

  5. 5

    Assemble the Tacos

    Warm the corn tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave. Fill each tortilla with a generous amount of the braised pork belly, top with marinated red onions, fresh cilantro, and salsa verde.

More from Orale Mexican Kitchen