April 22, 2013

Crunchy Shredded Pork Tacos

This is one of my FAVORITE crunchy taco recipes.  

There is a local Mexican Restaurant that makes the best crunchy tacos that I have been eating since I was a little girl.  This is my version of those tacos and they really do taste like they came straight from a Mexican Restaurant. 

The pork is tender and juicy and perfectly spiced.  The Italian dressing coated shredded lettuce is what makes these unique and gives them that special touch.  Don't skip that part.  

Serve with a side of one of these rice dishes and you are good to go.

Crunchy Shredded Pork Tacos
From: Jenn@eatcakefordinner

1 1/2 - 2 Lbs. pork loin 
   or pork shoulder, trimmed of fat
1 1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/4 c. light brown sugar
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. black pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 onion, finely chopped
   plus a few onion chunks for cooking
1-2 Tbl. extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbl. cider vinegar

Combine the chili powder, brown sugar, oregano, cumin, salt, pepper, minced garlic and finely chopped onion.  Add 1 Tablespoon olive oil and cider vinegar and stir together to form a paste.  If it is too thick, add a little more olive oil.  Rub the paste all over the pork, covering every last bit.  Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.  Place the pork into a medium-large, oven-safe, pot and add enough water or chicken broth to cover the pork not quite half way (about 1-2 cups).  Place some onion chunks right on top of the pork.  

Cover with lid and roast in a 300 degree oven until the pork is falling apart, about 2 1/2 - 3 hours, turning once every hour.  Remove from oven and allow to rest about 15 minutes.  Shred the pork, adding some of the juice from the pan to prevent from being dry.  You could also cook this in a slow-cooker, but it will take a lot longer.   

To serve:
crunchy taco shells
fresh pico de gallo
shredded lettuce
Italian Dressing 
Feta cheese, opt.

Toss the shredded lettuce with a little Italian Dressing.  You want just enough to coat the lettuce (you don't want it dripping in dressing).  Add some shredded pork to your taco shell, top with lettuce, fresh pico and Feta cheese, if desired.  Serves 4.

Jenn's Notes:  I buy a head of iceberg lettuce and cut it into small strips.  I don't have measurements for the pico de gallo.  I dice a few tomatoes and add some finely chopped onion, finely chopped jalapeno, chopped green onion (if I have), chopped cilantro and some fresh lime juice.

14 comments:

  1. these do look super yummy, and jays loves pork, so i may have to give them a try! thanks for sharing the recipe!:)

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  2. thanks for the recipe! i will definitely have to try this!

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  3. i make tacos all the time but never use pork and I don't know why! We love pork loins so next time I'm going to have to make these! Thanks for sharing!

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  4. Wow, Jenn! Absolutely fantastic!
    Delightful and yummy!
    My stomach is rumbling and my mouth is salivating!

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  5. I almost always use chicken or beef when I make tacos. I will have to try this next time we have tacos!

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  6. These sounds delish, and I love that you use apple cider vinegar and brown sugar in it.

    I just happened to come across your blog. I have to say we're two of a kind. I prefer to eat my cake for dinner as well and if I have room then I'll have the entree. Unfortunately as we get older we have to be more realistic and eat better or it will get the best of us, won't it?

    Fun Blog!!!

    P.S. By the way, I also have a blogger account and I had to change my settings in order for others to post a comment. I was unable to post here from google so I entered my info manually. Email me and I will tell you what you need to do.

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  7. Oh my! I want these for breakfast!

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  8. super yummy!!! I love to feature good food on my blog... in fact today I've got a Mexi-Mexicana Round up going on... hope you can check it out.
    http://www.nap-timecreations.com/2013/04/Mexicanfood.html

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  9. These look so yummy! I love tacos! I would love for you to come link up to my party and follow along! http://alivedinhome.blogspot.com/2013/04/get-social-sunday_28.html

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  10. This sounds delicious! If I want to cook the pork in the Crockpot I'd asusme I don't need the extra liquid. Does that sound right?

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    Replies
    1. My mom made this in the crockpot and she still added the liquid, but my Father-In-Law told me he never adds liquid when he cooks a pork loin? I have only tried it with the added liquid.

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  11. How long would this need to cook in the crockpot? Sounds like a delicious recipe.
    Tammy.anderson@comcast.net

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