Crispy Pork Tacos
- 4 hr
- Serves 6
- 15 ingredients
30 minutes to prep, 3 hours 30 minutes to cook. These crispy pork tacos feature slow‑roasted, seasoned pork shoulder that’s shredded, coated in its own rendered fat, and finished crisp in a hot pan. The result is juicy, melt‑in‑your‑mouth meat with a satisfying crunch, paired with fresh onion, cilantro, and a tangy salsa taquera. Perfect for a flavorful Mexican‑style dinner.
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Method
Cut the pork shoulder into 2-3 inch cubes, remove any bone, and place in a bowl.
Combine the pork cubes with salt, dried oregano, onion powder, and minced garlic; coat evenly and cure in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
Arrange the cured pork in an even layer in a 6.75‑quart Dutch oven.
Add the cinnamon stick, quartered orange (with juice), bay leaves, and water or stock to the pot.
Cover and roast in a pre‑heated oven at 250°F for 3 hours, flipping the meat after 90 minutes.
Rest the cooked pork, covered at room temperature for 30‑60 minutes, then refrigerate overnight.
The next day, remove the pork from the pot and separate the rendered fat from the cooking liquid (pork gold).
Shred the pork into a mix of medium chunks and finer strands, discarding pure‑fat pieces.
Mix the shredded pork with the reserved rendered pork fat and pork gold until evenly coated.
Crisp the coated pork in a nonstick pan over medium‑high heat for about 90 seconds, pressing flat, then flip and cook another 90 seconds until golden and crispy; optionally splash a little more pork gold for moisture.
Serve the crispy pork on warm flour tortillas topped with chopped white onion, cilantro, and salsa taquera.
Tips while you cook
- Cure the pork before roasting
- After coating the pork cubes with salt, oregano, onion powder, and garlic, let them sit in the refrigerator for 1 hour before roasting.
- Flip the meat during the long roast
- Turn the pork cubes after 90 minutes while they roast at 250 °F.
- Allow a short rest before chilling
- Cover the cooked pork and let it rest at room temperature for 30‑60 minutes before refrigerating overnight.
- Press the pork flat for uniform crispness
- When crisping the coated pork in the pan, press it flat and cook each side for about 90 seconds.
Notes from ReelsMeals, based on this recipe's ingredients, times and method. They are not the creator's instructions.
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The recipe comes from Brian Lagerstrom’s YouTube video. ReelsMeals wrote it down from the caption and the voiceover. Check the original if something looks off, and for anything about allergens.
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