Pulled pork tacos are a delicious and versatile taco filling that can be customized in many ways. The juicy, tender pulled pork is paired with warm tortillas and zesty toppings to create a satisfying meal or snack. While pulled pork tacos may seem intimidating to make, they are actually quite simple. With the right techniques and a little planning, you can make restaurant-quality pulled pork tacos at home. In this article, we will walk through the entire process of making pulled pork tacos, from selecting the right pork shoulder to building the perfect taco.
Selecting and Preparing the Pork
The first step in making great pulled pork tacos is choosing the right cut of pork. Pork shoulder, also called pork butt, is the best option because it contains plenty of fat and connective tissue. This keeps the pork moist and allows it to become melt-in-your-mouth tender after hours of smoking or braising. Choose a bone-in pork shoulder that weighs 4-8 pounds. Plan on cooking about 1/2 pound of uncooked pork per person.
Once you have the pork shoulder, trim off any excess fat or skin. Make sure to leave about 1/4 inch of the fat cap intact to help keep the pork moist. Pat the pork dry with paper towels and rub it all over with a spice rub. A simple rub of brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper adds great Tex-Mex flavor. Refrigerate the seasoned pork overnight so the rub has time to penetrate the meat.
Cooking the Pulled Pork
Pulled pork can be made by smoking, braising, or roasting the pork shoulder. Smoking infuses the deepest flavor, but requires 4-12 hours depending on the size of the pork. Braising in the oven takes less time, around 3-4 hours, and still renders the pork fork-tender.
Smoking Method:
Set up your smoker or grill for indirect smoking with a water pan and bring the temperature to 225-250°F. Use your favorite smoking wood like hickory, apple, or cherry. Place the pork in the smoker fat side up and let it smoke for 4-12 hours until it reaches an internal temperature of 200-205°F. Spritz the pork with apple cider vinegar every hour during smoking.
Braising Method:
Preheat the oven to 300°F. Place the seasoned pork shoulder in a Dutch oven or roasting pan. Add 1 cup of chicken broth, apple cider, or beer to the bottom of the pan. Cover tightly with a lid or foil. Braise for 3-4 hours until the pork reaches 200-205°F on a meat thermometer.
Shredding the Pork
Once the pork has finished cooking, remove it from the smoker, Dutch oven, or oven. Let it rest for about 30 minutes. Then, transfer the pork to a cutting board or rimmed baking sheet. Use forks or your fingers to pull and shred the tender pork. Discard any excess fat, but try to retain most of the juices. You can add some of the cooking liquid or reserved pork juices to the shredded meat to moisten it.
Seasoning the Pulled Pork
Now is the time to add more flavor to the pork. Stir in your favorite barbecue sauce and toss to coat the shredded pork. For tacos, we recommend using a tangy vinegar-based sauce. You can also mix in spices like chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, or Tajin seasoning. Taste and season the pork to your preferences.
Building the Pulled Pork Tacos
Warm the tortillas on the stove, grill, or microwave so they are pliable. Layer the tortillas with the juicy pulled pork and your desired toppings. Here are some tasty taco topping ideas:
- Pico de gallo
- Shredded cabbage
- Queso fresco
- Avocado slices
- Lime wedges
- Chopped onion
- Sliced radishes
- Cilantro
- Sour cream
For extra flavor, drizzle the tacos with a chili-lime crema made by mixing sour cream with lime juice and chili powder. Don’t overload the tacos, as the pork and toppings can fall out with too much filling.
Serving Suggestions
Pulled pork tacos are best when served fresh, but leftovers will keep refrigerated for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through before serving again. Here are some tips for serving pulled pork tacos:
- Make tacos to order so they don’t get soggy
- Set up a taco bar for easy customization
- Serve with lime wedges, hot sauce, and extra toppings
- Pair with seasoned rice and beans or coleslaw
- Add pickled jalapenos, radishes, or carrots for crunch
Pulled pork also makes delicious nachos, burritos, enchiladas, sandwiches, mac and cheese, stuffed potatoes, and more. Get creative with leftovers!
Conclusion
With tender smoked pork shoulder, warm tortillas, and fresh toppings, pulled pork tacos are a crowdpleasing meal for family dinners, parties, tailgates, or easy weeknight dinners. The keys are choosing a well-marbled pork shoulder, slow cooking it until fall-apart tender, shredding the meat, and seasoning it boldly. Layer the juicy pulled pork on tortillas with your favorite toppings and taco night is taken to a whole new level. Now that you know how to make restaurant-worthy pulled pork tacos at home, get ready to enjoy this tasty Tex-Mex favorite anytime.