Savory Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork Tacos with Fresh Avocado and Cilantro
Transform your pulled pork leftovers into a fiesta of flavors with these scrumptious tacos! Perfect for casual gatherings or weeknight dinners, these tacos are a delightful combination of tender, smoky pulled pork, creamy avocado, and zesty sour cream. With just a hint of spice from the homemade seasoning and topped with fresh cilantro and mild green sauce, every bite is a journey straight to taco heaven. Whether you enjoy them with a squeeze of lime or piled high with optional toppings, these tacos are sure to satisfy your cravings. Plus, they’re incredibly easy to make - a fantastic way to repurpose your delicious pulled pork while impressing friends and family!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
Boneless pork shoulder
2 1/2-4 lbs (Trim excess fat)
Brown sugar
1 tablespoon (None)
Cajun seasoning
2 tablespoons (None)
Salt
1 tablespoon (None)
Cumin
1 tablespoon (None)
Paprika
1 tablespoon (None)
Fresh ground black pepper
1 tablespoon (None)
Chili powder
1 tablespoon (None)
Mesquite powder
1/2 tablespoon (None)
Frozen apple juice concentrate
1/2 cup (None)
Cider vinegar
1/2 cup (None)
Corn tortillas
8 (6 inch) (None)
Sour cream
1/2 cup (None)
Avocados
2 (Cut into 1/4 slices)
Fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 cup (May be chopped)
Mild green taco sauce
To taste (None)
Onion
1/2 cup (Chopped (optional))
Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup (Shredded (optional))
Vegetable oil
1 cup (Enough to cover tortillas in a small fry pan)
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing the pulled pork: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, cajun seasoning, salt, cumin, paprika, black pepper, chili powder, and mesquite powder. Rub this mixture evenly over the entire boneless pork shoulder. Place the pork in a Ziploc bag and refrigerate for up to 24 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
2
Next, in your crock pot, add frozen apple juice concentrate and cider vinegar. Carefully place the spiced pork shoulder into the pot, ensuring that the rub stays intact.
3
Cook on high for 2 hours, then reduce the heat to low and let it cook for an additional 10 hours until the pork is tender and easily pulls apart.
4
Once cooked, remove the pork shoulder from the crock pot and let it rest for 30 minutes. After resting, use two forks to shred the pork into bite-sized pieces.
5
For the tacos, heat enough vegetable oil in a small fry pan over medium-high heat to cover the bottom. Once hot, fry each corn tortilla for about 30 seconds on each side until they become slightly crispy yet still pliable. Drain them on paper towels.
6
Assemble the tacos by spreading sour cream down the center of each tortilla. Top with avocado slices, fresh cilantro, and a generous portion of pulled pork.
7
Drizzle mild green taco sauce over the top and, if desired, add chopped onions and shredded cheddar cheese to enhance the flavor.
8
Fold each taco in half and enjoy the explosion of flavors with each bite!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best cut of meat for these pulled pork tacos?
The recipe calls for a 2 1/2 to 4 lb boneless pork shoulder with the excess fat trimmed.
What ingredients are in the homemade dry rub?
The dry rub consists of brown sugar, cajun seasoning, salt, cumin, paprika, black pepper, chili powder, and mesquite powder.
How long should I let the dry rub sit on the pork?
You should place the rubbed pork in a Ziploc bag and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
What liquid is used in the slow cooker?
The recipe uses a combination of 1/2 cup frozen apple juice concentrate and 1/2 cup cider vinegar.
How long does the pork need to cook in the crock pot?
Cook the pork on high for 2 hours, then reduce the heat to low and cook for an additional 10 hours.
Does the pork need to rest after cooking?
Yes, once removed from the crock pot, let the pork shoulder rest for 30 minutes before shredding.
What is the best way to shred the cooked pork?
After resting the meat, use two forks to pull the pork apart into bite-sized pieces.
What type of tortillas are recommended for these tacos?
The recipe suggests using eight 6-inch corn tortillas.
How do I prepare the corn tortillas?
Fry each tortilla in a small pan with vegetable oil for about 30 seconds per side until slightly crispy yet pliable.
What should I do after frying the tortillas?
Drain the fried tortillas on paper towels to remove excess vegetable oil.
How do I assemble the tacos?
Spread sour cream down the center of the tortilla, then top with avocado slices, fresh cilantro, and a generous portion of pulled pork.
What kind of sauce goes on top of the tacos?
Drizzle mild green taco sauce over the top of the assembled tacos.
Are there any optional toppings for these tacos?
Yes, you can add chopped onions and shredded cheddar cheese to enhance the flavor if desired.
How should the avocados be prepared?
The avocados should be cut into 1/4 inch slices.
How much cilantro is needed?
You will need approximately 1/2 cup of fresh cilantro leaves, which may be chopped if preferred.
What is the purpose of mesquite powder in the rub?
Mesquite powder adds a smoky depth of flavor to the pork that mimics outdoor slow-cooking.
Can I use this recipe for leftovers?
Absolutely, this recipe is a fantastic way to repurpose pulled pork into a fresh, new meal.
Is the apple juice concentrate supposed to be thawed?
The recipe specifies using frozen apple juice concentrate directly in the crock pot.
What is the total cooking time for the pork?
The total cooking time is 12 hours (2 hours on high and 10 hours on low).
How much vegetable oil is needed for frying?
You need about 1 cup of vegetable oil, or enough to cover the bottom of a small fry pan.
How much sour cream is used per recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of sour cream to be spread across the tortillas.
Can I use pork butt instead of pork shoulder?
Yes, pork butt is a common substitute for pork shoulder and works very well for shredding.
Is this recipe spicy?
It has a mild to moderate kick from the cajun seasoning and chili powder, but uses mild green taco sauce.
What category of cuisine does this recipe fall into?
This recipe is considered Mexican cuisine or Mexican-inspired comfort food.
How many tacos does this recipe make?
Based on the ingredients list, it makes approximately 8 tacos using 6-inch corn tortillas.
Do I need to add water to the slow cooker?
No, the liquid comes from the apple juice concentrate and cider vinegar, along with the natural juices from the pork.
What size of Ziploc bag is needed?
A gallon-sized Ziploc bag is usually best to fit a 2.5-4 lb pork shoulder.
Can I use fresh apple juice instead of concentrate?
Concentrate is preferred for its intense flavor and lower water content, which creates a richer sauce.
Should I remove the spice rub before cooking?
No, ensure the rub stays intact when placing the pork shoulder into the pot to maximize flavor.
Can I use flour tortillas instead?
While the recipe calls for corn tortillas, you can substitute flour tortillas if you prefer their texture.