Paleo Carnitas Tacos
Dive into the bold flavors of Paleo Carnitas Tacos, a healthy twist on a classic favorite that's perfect for a clean-eating lifestyle. This recipe features tender, slow-cooked pork shoulder seasoned with a vibrant blend of cumin, oregano, cayenne, and fresh orange juice, delivering rich, citrus-infused undertones. The pork is crisped up in olive oil for irresistibly golden edges, then nestled into crisp lettuce leaves for a grain-free taco shell alternative. Topped with fresh cilantro, diced red onion, creamy avocado slices, and a squeeze of lime, these tacos are as beautiful as they are delicious. Ideal for paleo diets and anyone craving a wholesome yet indulgent meal, this recipe is guaranteed to become a weeknight favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 pounds pork shoulder
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 pieces bay leaves
- 4 cloves garlic cloves
- 1 whole orange
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 12 pieces large lettuce leaves
- 4 wedges lime wedges
- 0.25 cup chopped cilantro
- 0.5 cup diced red onion
- 1 whole sliced avocado
Instructions
Trim excess fat from the pork shoulder and cut it into 2-inch cubes.
In a small bowl, combine sea salt, black pepper, ground cumin, dried oregano, and cayenne pepper. Rub this spice mixture evenly over the pork cubes.
Place the seasoned pork into a slow cooker. Add bay leaves and garlic cloves.
Juice the orange and pour the juice over the pork in the slow cooker.
Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the pork is tender and shreds easily with a fork.
Once cooked, discard bay leaves and garlic. Remove pork from the slow cooker and shred using two forks.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shredded pork in batches, pressing it down slightly to get crispy edges. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, until the pork is heated through and crispy.
To assemble tacos, lay out the lettuce leaves on a serving platter. Top with generous portions of the crispy pork.
Garnish each taco with chopped cilantro, diced red onion, and a slice of avocado.
Serve with lime wedges for a squeeze of fresh lime juice before enjoying.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2594 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 158.8 g | 204% | |
| Saturated Fat | 44.5 g | 222% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 800 mg | 267% | |
| Sodium | 5334 mg | 232% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 53.6 g | 19% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 20.6 g | 74% | |
| Total Sugars | 16.7 g | ||
| Protein | 224.8 g | 450% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 539 mg | 41% | |
| Iron | 16.2 mg | 90% | |
| Potassium | 5214 mg | 111% | |
*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.
