On busy weeknights, I love to utilize my crockpot. I love that I can toss my ingredients into the crockpot, put the lid on, set the temp and walk away. One of my family’s favorite crockpot meals is carnitas tacos. We are a “Taco Tuesday” family and carnitas are also a nice way to change it up. Carnitas is braised pork that is then typically fried or broiled to add a crisp texture before eating. If you prefer beef, this recipe is exactly the same but is then called, Barbacoa. Served on either corn or flour tortillas, these tacos are sure to impress your family and friends.

Whether you choose pork or beef, just make sure to find a roast that is between 4-5lbs. This will provide leftovers that can then be used in future meals/recipes or can be frozen for up to 6mo. I like to use the leftovers to make pork enchiladas, nachos, taco salad, or quesadillas. When shopping for the meat, I like to pick bone-in roasts because the bone imparts more flavor and adds collagen. Collagen is great for gut health, hair and fingernail growth, and is helpful for maintaining youthful looking skin. This is how I pretend that Carnitas are good for me!

Toppings for carnitas are also a little different than regular ground beef tacos. I commonly provide thin sliced radishes, lime, cilantro, thin sliced red onions (or pickled red onions), serrano peppers, and cotija cheese. Another topping variation includes a mix of lime juice, white minced onion, and minced cilantro. This mixture is called Mexican Relish and is typically served on street tacos because it’s easy to make in bulk and is bursting with fresh flavor.

If you are inspired to make your own Carnitas Tacos, click on the link below!