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Authentic Pork Tacos or Tacos de Puerco

Published: Apr 18, 2022 · Modified: Apr 25, 2024 by Pilar Hernandez · This post may contain affiliate links.

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Versión en español

This recipe can be prepared in advance and is perfect for sharing with friends and family—one of my favorites is Pork Tacos or Tacos de Puerco.
Authentic Pork Tacos or Tacos de Puerco

Traditional Tacos de Puerco, which translates to "pork tacos" in English, is a popular and delicious Mexican street food. These tacos are typically made with seasoned and slow-cooked pork, resulting in tender and flavorful meat served in soft tortillas and garnished with various toppings.

The authentic Mexican taco generally consists of one meat and, at the most, diced onion, cilantro (and salsa if in the mood). Depending on the meat, a squeeze of lime is also appreciated, but placing guacamole or cheese in a taco is not commonplace. Of course, everyone is free to eat their tacos as they wish, but I invite you to try them this way, almost naked, to appreciate the delicious cooking of the meat.Authentic Pork Tacos or Tacos de Puerco

You can make this pork stew to celebrate "Cinco de Mayo" with a party or host a Taquiza; other friends or relatives can bring other classic dishes such as picadillo, shredded beef meat, Chilorio, and potato stew for vegetarians. Do not forget to have beans: refried or not—corn and flour tortillas. And there you have it, a completely authentic Mexican buffet served. The line will move fast, and everyone will enjoy these taco wonders.

Authentic Pork Tacos or Tacos de Puerco

Ingredients for Tacos de Puerco:

  1. Pork: The critical ingredient is pork, and various cuts can be used. Common choices include pork shoulder (pork butt or Boston butt), pork loin, or pork belly. The pork is seasoned with a blend of spices.
  2. Tortillas: Traditional Tacos de Puerco are typically served in soft corn tortillas. The tortillas are heated or lightly toasted before serving to make them pliable and enhance their flavor.
  3. Toppings: Tacos de Puerco are often garnished with a combination of the following toppings:
    • Salsa: Salsa can range from mild to spicy and may include varieties such as salsa verde (green salsa), salsa roja (red salsa), or pico de gallo.
    • Chopped Onion: Freshly chopped white or red onion adds a sharp, crisp contrast to the richness of the pork.
    • Cilantro: Fresh cilantro leaves provide a vibrant and herbaceous flavor.
    • Lime Wedges: Lime wedges are typically served on the side for squeezing over the tacos to add a burst of acidity.

You may also be interested in the recipe: Chilean Beef Empanadas.

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Authentic Pork Tacos or Tacos de Puerco

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  • Author: Pilar Hernandez
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2 hours
  • Total Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes
  • Yield: 16 tacos
  • Category: Meat dishes
  • Method: Stove-cooked
  • Cuisine: Mexican
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Description

Step by step, delicious recipe.


Ingredients

Units
  • 3 pounds of boneless pork shoulder or butt
  • the juice of 3 oranges
  • 1 ¼ cup water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 chipotle in adobo, plus 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
  • ½ onion
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • ½ cup chopped parsley
  • 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • ⅔ cup apple cider vinegar
  • ½ cup water
  • oil
  • 16 flour or corn tortillas to serve
  • chopped onion
  • chopped cilantro
  • avocado

Instructions

  1. Chop the pork into large pieces, and place in a large pot. Add the orange juice, water, and salt.
    Pork on a pot with orange juice
  2. Cook over high heat until it boils. Reduce heat to medium so it keeps boiling, leave semi-covered. Cook for 1 hour and 45 minutes or until the liquid is reduced almost entirely.
    Cooking meat pork cooked
  3. Remove the meat with its juice to a baking pan and let cool.
  4. While the pork is cooking, prepare the sauce. Place the chipotle peppers, onion, parsley, garlic, cumin, oregano, pepper, vinegar,  and water in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth.
    Ingredients for the sauce
  5. Separate the meat into strands with two forks or, by hand, discard the fat.
    Separated the meat
  6. In the same pot where the pork was cooked, heat over high heat two tablespoons of oil and add the sauce, Cook for 10 minutes after the boil, to reduce. Add the shredded pork meat with their juices and cook for 30 minutes over medium heat. It should boil and continue to thicken. Stir occasionally.
    Cooking the sauce pork on the sauce pork cooked on the sauce
  7. Heat the tortillas on a griddle or skillet, leaving the tortilla lightly browned. Keep them warm and wrapped in a cloth so they do not get tough.
    Warming the tortilla
  8. Serve the pork on a warm tortilla, and sprinkle with onion and cilantro. Eat.
    Making the tacos
  9. Add avocado if desired.
    Authentic Pork Tacos or Tacos de Puerco

Notes

Recipe Authentic Pork Tacos or Tacos de Puerco was sponsored by  Azuñia Tequila in 2016.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @chileanfoodandgarden on Instagram and hashtag it #chileanfoodandgarden

Authentic Pork Tacos or Tacos de Puerco

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Comments

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    Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

  1. Sheila says

    January 14, 2024 at 10:31 pm

    Absolutely awesome taste and presentations. Thank you!
    Sheila

    Reply
  2. Deysi C Campos says

    February 29, 2020 at 4:10 pm

    Delicious!

    Reply
    • Pilar Hernandez says

      March 01, 2020 at 3:46 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  3. Veronica says

    April 19, 2016 at 9:14 pm

    You already have my vote. But please, invite next time to this wonderful food and drinks! Jajajaja.

    Reply

¡Hola!

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I'm Pilar Hernandez, a Latina mom, blogger since 2008, and urban farmer.

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