Description
These Crispy Carnitas Tacos with Roasted Jalapeño Lime Avocado offer tender, slow-cooked pork shoulder shredded and crisped to perfection, paired with a creamy, zesty avocado sauce infused with charred jalapeños and fresh lime. This flavorful Mexican-inspired dish is perfect for a satisfying and vibrant taco night.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasonings
- 3 lbs pork shoulder
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 2 tsp cumin
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 fresh jalapeños
- ½ cup fresh cilantro
Other
- 3 limes (1 for juice, 2 for garnish)
- 2 ripe avocados
Instructions
- Season Pork: Cut the pork shoulder into large chunks and season generously with salt, pepper, and cumin ensuring the flavor penetrates well.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat a skillet over medium heat and sauté the chopped onions until they become translucent. Add minced garlic and stir for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Slow Cook Pork: Transfer the seasoned pork chunks along with the sautéed onions and garlic into a slow cooker. Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours until the pork is very tender and easy to shred.
- Roast Jalapeños: Preheat your oven’s broiler. Place the jalapeños on a baking sheet and roast under broiler until the skins are charred on all sides, approximately 10 minutes. Remove and let cool slightly.
- Prepare Avocado Sauce: Remove seeds from the roasted jalapeños and combine the flesh with the avocado flesh, lime juice from one lime, and fresh cilantro in a blender. Blend until smooth and season with salt to taste.
- Shred and Crisp Pork: Use two forks to shred the cooked pork shoulder. For extra crispy carnitas, spread the shredded pork out on a baking sheet and broil for an additional 5 minutes until edges become crispy.
- Assemble Tacos: Warm your tortillas and fill them with the crispy carnitas. Top with a generous spoonful of the roasted jalapeño lime avocado sauce and garnish with chopped cilantro and lime wedges.
Notes
- For extra heat, leave some seeds in the jalapeños when blending the avocado sauce.
- Slow cooking can be done on either low or high settings depending on your available time.
- Use fresh, ripe avocados for the creamiest sauce texture.
- Broiling the shredded pork adds delicious texture but is optional if you prefer softer meat.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
