Crispy Shredded Carnitas Tacos with Spicy Pepper Jack Cheese
Indulge in these Crispy Shredded Carnitas Tacos with Spicy Pepper Jack Cheese, where tender pork is seasoned to perfection and paired with savory sautéed onions, all nestled in warm, golden corn tortillas. This delicious recipe elevates the traditional taco experience with a delightful crunch and gooey, spicy cheese that will make your taste buds sing. Perfect for gatherings or a family meal, these tacos are a surefire hit that can be enjoyed with your favorite toppings. Easy to prepare, they deliver robust flavors and satisfying textures that everyone will love!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Pork butt
5 lbs (Cut into 2-inch strips)
Large onion
1 (Cut in half)
Garlic
1 bulb (Whole)
Salt
1/8 cup (For boiling the pork)
New Mexico chile powder
1/8 cup (For boiling the pork)
Cumin powder
1 teaspoon (For boiling the pork)
Water
As needed (For boiling the pork)
Salt
2 teaspoons (For seasoning carnitas)
New Mexico chile powder
1 tablespoon (For seasoning carnitas)
Cumin powder
1 teaspoon (For seasoning carnitas)
Oil
3 tablespoons (For sautéing onions)
Walla Walla onion
1 (Sliced into 1/8-inch strips)
White corn tortillas
12 (For tacos)
Pepper jack cheese
6 slices (For taco filling)
Oil
As needed (For frying tacos)
Parmesan cheese
As desired (For sprinkling on tacos)
Instructions
1
In a large pot, combine the pork butt, half of the large onion (cut in half), whole bulb of garlic, salt, New Mexico chile powder, cumin, and enough water to cover the contents. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat and let it boil for 5 minutes. Then, reduce the heat and let simmer for 2 1/2 hours or until the pork is tender. Once cooked, remove the pork and allow it to cool to room temperature. Strain the broth, discarding the onion and garlic.
2
Shred the cooled pork using your hands and place it into a mixing bowl. Add the remaining seasoning (2 teaspoons salt, 1 tablespoon New Mexico chile powder, and 1 teaspoon cumin) and mix thoroughly. Allow the mixture to sit for 15 minutes to absorb the flavors.
3
Slice the Walla Walla onion into 1/8-inch strips. In a nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat and sauté the onion strips until they are light brown and tender. Combine the sautéed onions with the shredded carnitas mixture and sauté together on medium-high heat until the mixture becomes light and crispy.
4
In a separate medium skillet, lightly oil the surface and heat over medium-high. Place a corn tortilla in the skillet, add a slice of pepper jack cheese on top, and cover with another tortilla. Once the cheese starts to soften, carefully flip the tortillas to toast both sides until they are lightly browned.
5
After the tortillas are crispy, take a portion of the carnitas filling, place it on one half of the tortilla, and fold the tortilla over. Pan fry each taco until both sides are golden and crispy. Repeat this process until all fillings are used.
6
Finally, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on both sides of the tacos just before serving. Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein in this recipe?
The main protein in this recipe is 5 pounds of pork butt.
What cut of pork should I use for these carnitas?
You should use pork butt, cut into 2-inch strips.
How long does the pork need to simmer?
The pork needs to simmer for approximately 2 1/2 hours or until it is tender.
What seasonings are used for boiling the pork?
The boiling mixture includes salt, New Mexico chile powder, and cumin powder.
What aromatics are added to the boiling pot?
A whole bulb of garlic and half of a large onion are added to the pot for flavor.
How should the pork be prepared after it is cooked?
Once the pork is cooked and cooled to room temperature, it should be shredded by hand.
Should I keep the onion and garlic from the broth?
No, you should strain the broth and discard the onion and garlic.
How long should the shredded pork sit with the extra seasoning?
Allow the shredded pork and seasoning mixture to sit for 15 minutes to absorb the flavors.
What type of onion is sautéed with the carnitas?
A Walla Walla onion, sliced into 1/8-inch strips, is used for sautéing.
What texture should the carnitas mixture have after sautéing?
The mixture should be sautéed until it becomes light and crispy.
What kind of tortillas are used for these tacos?
White corn tortillas are used for this recipe.
How many tortillas does this recipe require?
This recipe calls for 12 white corn tortillas.
What type of cheese is melted inside the tortillas?
Slices of pepper jack cheese are placed between the tortillas.
How do you prepare the tortilla and cheese base?
Place a tortilla in a skillet, add a slice of pepper jack cheese, and cover with another tortilla until the cheese softens and both sides are toasted.
How do you assemble the tacos?
Place a portion of the carnitas filling on one half of the toasted tortilla and fold it over.
What is the final cooking step for the assembled tacos?
Pan fry each taco until both sides are golden and crispy.
What is the finishing garnish for these tacos?
Grated Parmesan cheese is sprinkled on both sides of the tacos just before serving.
Is this recipe spicy?
Yes, the recipe uses New Mexico chile powder and pepper jack cheese to provide a spicy flavor.
Is this a good recipe for families?
Yes, it is described as a surefire hit for family meals or gatherings.
What type of chile powder is recommended?
New Mexico chile powder is recommended for both boiling and seasoning the meat.
How much oil is needed for sautéing the onions?
You will need 3 tablespoons of oil for sautéing the onions.
Can I use a different type of cheese?
While the recipe calls for pepper jack and Parmesan, you can use your favorite toppings as well.
How should the large onion be prepared for the boiling pot?
The large onion should be cut in half before being added to the pot.
What should I do if the water level in the pot is too low?
Add enough water as needed to cover the contents of the pot during the boiling process.
Do I need to leave the garlic cloves whole?
The recipe calls for a whole bulb of garlic to be added to the boiling pot.
What is the suggested serving temperature?
The tacos should be served warm.
How thick should the Walla Walla onion strips be?
They should be sliced into 1/8-inch strips.
How many slices of pepper jack cheese are used?
The recipe calls for 6 slices of pepper jack cheese.
What is the total amount of salt used in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1/8 cup of salt for boiling and an additional 2 teaspoons for seasoning the carnitas.
What makes these tacos 'crispy'?
The tacos become crispy through sautéing the meat until light and crispy and pan-frying the assembled tortillas.