Pork Carnitas

Spice Up Your Life: Slow Cooker Citrus-Pulled Pork Tacos

Ingredients

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Season the pork loin with spice mixture, rubbing it thoroughly on all sides.

2. Place pork loin, garlic, onions, orange juice, and lime juice into the slow cooker.

3. Cover and cook on low heat for 8 hours.

4. Remove pork from the slow cooker and shred the meat before returning to the pot with juices. Season with salt and keep warm for 30 additional minutes.

5. We took the tortillas and heated them in a pan and melted the cheese on top. Then added lettuce, pork, tomatoes, sour cream, and squeezed lime juice to taste. They were delicious!

Calorie Count

Let’s talk numbers—because indulging should come with eyes wide open. Assuming you make 12 tacos from this recipe, here’s the ballpark per taco:

• Calories: 240
• Total Fat: 12g
• Carbohydrates: 16g
• Protein: 17g
• Sugar: 2g

Keep in mind: toppings like sour cream and cheese add both creaminess and calories. You do you—lighten up with reduced-fat cheese, skip the sour cream drizzle, or go full-on queso overload. The choice is yours.

Nutritional Facts

Here’s a quick-reference table so you can plan your taco tally with confidence. All values approximate per taco (⅙ cup pork + tortilla + toppings):

Balance is beautiful—pair your taco feast with fresh sides like pico de gallo or a crunchy cabbage slaw to up your veggie game.

Why This Recipe Rocks

1. Hands-Off Cooking
   This slow cooker wonder means you spend minutes seasoning, not hovering over a hot stove. Set it, forget it, and return to juicy, tender pork.
2. Zesty Citrus Kick
   Orange and lime juice cut through the richness with bright acidity, keeping each bite lively and preventing flavor fatigue.
3. Layered Spice
   A simple yet bold blend of chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper brings deep, smoky warmth without overpowering the pork’s natural sweetness.
4. Versatile Leftovers
   Tacos are just the start: turn that citrus-pulled pork into nachos, enchiladas, quesadillas, or even nacho cheese fries for your midnight cravings.

Cooking Tips

• Room-Temp Pork
  Bring your pork shoulder to room temperature before seasoning. It helps the spices adhere better and cooks more evenly.
• Spice Rub Ritual
  Give that pork a loving massage with the spice blend. Press it into every fold and seam for maximum flavor penetration.
• Onion & Garlic Placement
  Nestle the onion quarters and garlic cloves around the meat, not on top. It ensures the pork juices meld with the aromatics instead of burning.
• Juice Wisely
  Fresh-squeezed orange and lime juice offer brighter, cleaner flavors than bottled. Plus, you can zest the leftover rinds into the final dish for extra flair.
• Strain or Don’t Strain
  If you prefer saucy pork, ladle the cooking liquid over your shredded meat. For firmer texture, scoop the meat out, shred it, and reserve the juices for dipping.
• Tortilla Warm-Up
  Heat tortillas directly on a gas flame or in a dry cast-iron skillet for those coveted charred spots. It amps up the smoky taco vibe.
• Cheese Melt Mastery
  After melting cheese on the tortilla, cover briefly with a lid or foil to trap steam. The result? Silky, gooey cheese that clings to every tortilla wrinkle.

Recipe Variations

Ready to remix these tacos in five fabulously unexpected ways? Buckle up.
1. Smoky Chipotle Citrus Pulled Pork
Swap regular chili powder for chipotle chili powder and add a chopped chipotle in adobo. The result: a deeper, smokier heat with a subtle tang. Garnish with cilantro and pickled red onions.
2. Pineapple-Lime Tropic Tacos
Swap orange juice for pineapple juice, then top each taco with fresh pineapple salsa (pineapple, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice). It’s a vacation in every bite.
3. Honey-Lime BBQ Fusion
Stir ¼ cup honey and 2 tablespoons of your favorite BBQ sauce into the cooking liquid. The sweetness of honey plays beautifully against the tang of citrus, and the BBQ sauce adds a caramelized finish.
4. Fiesta Verde Pulled Pork
Skip the orange juice. Instead, toss in ½ cup salsa verde and a handful of chopped tomatillos. Top tacos with avocado slices, queso fresco, and a sprinkle of toasted pepitas.
5. Korean-Inspired Pork Tacos
After shredding, toss the pork with 2 tablespoons gochujang and 1 tablespoon soy sauce. Top with quick-pickled carrots and daikon, then finish with a drizzle of sriracha mayo for East-meets-West flair.
6. Breakfast Taco Remix
Fill warmed tortillas with pork, scrambled eggs, shredded hash browns, and a sprinkle of scallions. No need to wait until lunchtime—these tacos rock your breakfast world.

There you have it: a sassy, drool-worthy, slow cooker taco recipe that transforms ordinary weeknights into culinary celebrations. With minimal hands-on time and maximum flavor payoff, these citrus-pulled pork tacos deserve a permanent spot in your recipe rotation. Gather your friends, set out those salsas, crank the mariachi playlist, and get ready for taco euphoria.

What’s next on your kitchen adventure list? A fusion poke bowl? Homemade chimichurri steak bites? Or maybe dessert tacos stuffed with churro ice cream? Whatever you choose, just remember: bold flavors and a sprinkle of sass make every meal worth celebrating. Now go forth, taco your heart out, and let the good times roll! Tag us on Instagram or leave us a comment below. We love hearing from you! 
Happy cooking, amigos!