Paleo Carnitas Tacos

Savor the rich, savory flavors of these Paleo Carnitas Tacos, a healthy and mouthwatering twist on a classic favorite! Featuring tender, slow-cooked pork shoulder seasoned with a vibrant blend of cumin, oregano, and cayenne, these tacos are crisped to perfection in olive oil for irresistible texture. Served in crisp, fresh lettuce leaves instead of traditional tortillas, they’re gluten-free, low-carb, and paleo-friendly. Topped with creamy avocado, zesty red onion, fragrant cilantro, and a squeeze of lime, each bite bursts with bold, refreshing flavors. Perfect for family dinners or meal prep, these tacos bring together hearty comfort food and wholesome eating in one unforgettable dish!

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:240 mins

Total Time:260 mins

Servings: 4

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

Directions

Step 1

Trim excess fat from the pork shoulder and cut it into 2-inch cubes.

Step 2

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.

Step 3

Place the seasoned pork into a slow cooker. Add bay leaves and garlic cloves.

Step 4

Juice the orange and pour the juice over the pork in the slow cooker.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

Once cooked, discard bay leaves and garlic. Remove pork from the slow cooker and shred using two forks.

Step 7

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.

Step 8

To assemble tacos, lay out the lettuce leaves on a serving platter. Top with generous portions of the crispy pork.

Step 9

Garnish each taco with chopped cilantro, diced red onion, and a slice of avocado.

Step 10

Serve with lime wedges for a squeeze of fresh lime juice before enjoying.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1536.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2593.9

Total Fat 158.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 44.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 800.5mg	0%
Sodium 5333.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 53.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.6g	0%
Total Sugars 16.7g
Protein 224.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 539.3mg	0%
Iron 16.2mg	0%
Potassium 5214.2mg	0%

*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: 56.2%

Protein: 35.4%

Carbs: 8.4%