Lime Cilantro Pork Tacos

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Bursting with bold, zesty flavors, Lime Cilantro Pork Tacos are the ultimate crowd-pleaser for taco night. Tender, slow-cooked pork shoulder is marinated in a citrusy blend of fresh lime juice, lime zest, chopped cilantro, and a medley of spices, including cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika, creating a smoky, tangy, and herbaceous flavor profile. After hours of slow cooking, the pork is shredded and tucked into warm corn tortillas, then topped with vibrant red onion, spicy jalapeño, crumbled cotija cheese, and an optional dollop of sour cream for a creamy finish. Perfect for family meals or entertaining guests, these tacos are easy to customize and deliver satisfying, restaurant-quality results in the comfort of your own kitchen. Get ready to savor a delicious fusion of freshness and spice in every bite!

Recipe Information

• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: N/A
• Total Time: 15 min
• Servings: 6 servings
• Difficulty: Medium

🥘 Ingredients

18 items

• 2 pounds pork shoulder (boneless)
• 3 tablespoons lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 teaspoon lime zest
• 0.5 cup cilantro (chopped, fresh)
• 4 cloves garlic cloves (minced)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 cup chicken broth
• 12 tortillas corn tortillas
• 0.5 cup red onion (thinly sliced)
• 1 pepper jalapeño (sliced, optional)
• 0.5 cup sour cream (optional)
• 0.25 cup cotija cheese (crumbled, optional)
• 0.25 cup extra cilantro (for garnish)

📝 Instructions

10 steps

1. Trim any excess fat from the pork shoulder and cut it into large chunks (about 3 inches wide).

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the lime juice, lime zest, fresh cilantro, minced garlic, olive oil, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, sea salt, and black pepper to create a marinade.

3. Add the pork chunks to the bowl, tossing them to coat thoroughly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight for deeper flavor).

4. Preheat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the marinated pork chunks for 2-3 minutes on each side until browned. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan.

5. Once all the pork pieces are seared, transfer them to a slow cooker. Pour the chicken broth over the pork to keep it moist during cooking.

6. Cover the slow cooker with a lid and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the pork is fork-tender and easily shredded.

7. Remove the cooked pork from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and mix it with the juices to keep it flavorful and moist. Keep warm until ready to serve.

8. Warm the corn tortillas in a dry skillet or directly over a flame for a few seconds on each side.

9. Assemble the tacos by placing a generous portion of shredded pork on each tortilla. Top with thinly sliced red onion, jalapeño slices, a dollop of sour cream, crumbled cotija cheese, and extra cilantro as desired.

10. Serve immediately and enjoy your flavorful Lime Cilantro Pork Tacos!

Nutrition Facts

1 serving (280.7g)

Calories		596
% Daily Value*
Total Fat		39.6 g	51%
	Saturated Fat	14.6 g	73%
	Polyunsaturated Fat	0.0 g
Cholesterol		121 mg	40%
Sodium		561 mg	24%
Total Carbohydrate		26.4 g	10%
	Dietary Fiber	2.8 g	10%
	Total Sugars	2.0 g
Protein		32.3 g	65%
Vitamin D		0.0 mcg	0%
Calcium		135 mg	10%
Iron		2.8 mg	16%
Potassium		599 mg	13%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 2143 cal (60.4%%)

Protein: 774 cal (21.8%%)

Carbs: 632 cal (17.8%%)