Jun 09 2026
Restaurants›Thirsty Lion›Pork Carnitas Tacos Recipe

Pork Carnitas Tacos Recipe

Inspired by Thirsty Lion
Time3h
Serves6

Served with roasted tomatillo salsa.

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Ingredients

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Pork Carnitas

Taco Assembly

Roasted Tomatillo Salsa

Method

Pork Carnitas Preparation

  1. 1

    Prepare the Pork

    Cut the pork shoulder into large chunks, about 2 inches. Season with salt and pepper.

  2. 2

    Cook the Pork

    In a large pot, place the pork, onion (quartered), garlic (smashed), orange juice, lime juice, cumin, oregano, bay leaves, and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 2-3 hours until the pork is tender and shreds easily.

  3. 3

    Shred the Pork

    Remove the pork from the pot and shred it using two forks. Discard the bay leaves. If desired, you can also crisp the shredded pork in a hot skillet for a few minutes.

Roasted Tomatillo Salsa Preparation

  1. 4

    Roast the Tomatillos

    Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Remove the husks from the tomatillos and rinse them. Place the tomatillos and jalapeño on a baking sheet and roast for 15-20 minutes until they are soft and slightly charred.

  2. 5

    Blend the Salsa

    In a blender, combine the roasted tomatillos, jalapeño, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Blend until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Taco Assembly

  1. 6

    Assemble the Tacos

    Warm the corn tortillas in a skillet or microwave. Fill each tortilla with a generous amount of shredded pork, top with cilantro, slices of avocado, and a dollop of sour cream. Serve with lime wedges and a side of roasted tomatillo salsa.

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