• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Free Email Series!

5 Time and Stress Saving Cooking Secrets

Free email series of my best tips!

Visit my other Site: Pancake Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Free Email Series!

    5 Time and Stress Saving Cooking Secrets

    Free email series of my best tips!

  • Visit my other Site: Pancake Recipes

Rachel Cooks®

Easy Healthy-ish Recipes

  • Recipe Index
  • Popular
    • Instant Pot Pinto Beans
    • Green Beans with Bacon
    • Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
    • Roasted Sugar Snap Peas
    • Beef Stew Seasoning
    • Chili Seasoning Recipe
    • Thousand Island Dressing
    • Poppy Seed Dressing
    • Copycat Panera Squash Soup
    • Chocolate Chip Blondies
    • Instant Pot Pork Loin Roast
    • Frosé
    • Best Chocolate Cake
    • Dill Vegetable Dip
    • Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
    • Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
  • Learn to Cook
    • All The Basics
    • Crostini
    • Delicata Squash
    • Butternut Squash
    • Kabocha Squash
    • Spaghetti Squash
    • Guacamole
    • Croutons
    • Snap Peas
    • Baked Potatoes
    • Baked Bacon
    • Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
    • Simple Syrup
    • Pickled Red Onions Recipe
    • Toasted Pine Nuts
    • Roasted bone-in Chicken Breasts
    • Poached Chicken
    • Roasted Whole Chicken
    • Easy Cheese Sauce

Dinner Made Easy:

Slow Cooker

5 Ingredients

Grilling

Make Ahead

Sheet Pan

Tacos

Pizza

Home Recipes by Diet Gluten-Free
GF Gluten-Free DF Dairy-Free FF Freezer Friendly SC Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker Pork Tacos

5
/5
6 hrs 20 mins
4 Comments
Jump to Recipe Video
By: Rachel GurkPosted: 10/19/2020Updated: 09/12/2022

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Colorful tacos with text overlay that reads "slow cooker pork tacos, rachelcooks.com"
Colorful tacos with text overlay that reads "slow cooker pork tacos, rachelcooks.com"
Colorful pork tacos with text overlay that reads "easy and delicious slow cooker pork tacos, rachelcooks.com"
Colorful tacos with a text overlay.

Change up your taco menu with slow cooker pork tacos, a Mexican riff on tender pulled pork with green tomatillo sauce. Serve on warm corn tortillas with all the fixings.

Recipe Overview

Why you’ll love it: Pork tacos are an exciting alternative to ground beef.

How long it takes: 20 minutes to prep, 6 hours to cook
Equipment you’ll need: Slow cooker, sharp knife, blender, tongs
Servings: x

Overhead view of an open taco filled with pork, cilantro, queso fresco, and pickled red onions.
Table of Contents
open
  • 1 Recipe Overview
  • 2 About this Recipe
  • 3 What You’ll Need
  • 4 How To Make These Easy Tacos
  • 5 How To Char Tortillas
  • 6 FAQs
  • 7 Make It Your Own
  • 8 Storage and Reheating
  • 9 Make-Ahead Ideas
  • 10 More Taco Ideas
  • 11 Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Tacos

You’ll love these meltingly tender pulled pork tacos with flavorful green tomatillo sauce! Piled on a charred corn tortilla with pickled red onions and soft queso fresco, and dripping with warm salsa verde, rich meaty pork tacos are a taste sensation. 

Perfect for parties, or for meal prepping, slow cooker pork tacos can be made ahead and simmered in a crockpot all day. Enjoy the rich aroma coming from your crockpot all afternoon. Just before serving, shred the meat, prepare the toppings, and enjoy!

Pork tacos on a plate with cilantro, avocados, and pickled red onions.

About this Recipe

There’s a little bit of prep time at the beginning of this recipe, just twenty minutes or so. Once you get everything in the crockpot, it’s all hands off. Depending on how much time you have, cook it on low or high. It will be ready when you are!

I’ll run through the recipe here and give you lots of helpful tips before you get started. As always, the complete printable recipe card can be found at the end of this post.

What You’ll Need

  • Pork Shoulder: Other cuts are okay but I find that pork shoulder is the best for this recipe (see FAQ below). Cut it into approximately one inch chunks so that it cooks evenly. If you can’t find a boneless pork shoulder, just cut around the bone and discard it.
  • Tomatillos: If you’re not familiar with tomatillos, look for them in the produce section of your grocery store. They look like green tomatoes with a papery husk. Before using, remove the husks and rinse off the sticky coating.
  • Jalapeño Peppers: Remove the seeds and ribs for less heat, if desired.
  • Garlic: I usually add 2 cloves but feel free to use more or less garlic. Totally up to you!
  • Onion: Any type of onion is fine.
  • Fresh Cilantro: Don’t worry about picking off all the leaves. Tender stems are fine, too, because the whole business goes in the blender.
  • Worcestershire sauce, Salt and Pepper: Simple seasonings to complete the sauce.

How To Make These Easy Tacos

Put the pork into the crockpot. You can brown it in a skillet first if you like but I usually go the easy route and just dump it in raw. The long cooking time ensures that it will be safely cooked .

Next, prepare five or six tomatillos and cut them into chunks. Add half an onion, cut into quarters, halve two jalapeño peppers, and peel and halve a couple cloves of garlic. There’s no need to finely dice anything because it’s all going into the blender.

Add the tomatillos, onion, jalapeño, and garlic to a blender, along with chopped cilantro, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. Process until the sauce is a slightly chunky consistency. It will look like salsa verde, which it really kind of is.

Pour the sauce over the pork, stir, turn on the slow cooker, and walk away. Your job is done, at least for a while — “a while” meaning 7-8 hours on low or 4-5 hours on high.

Just before serving, remove the pork from the slow cooker, and shred it with a couple of forks. It will be v-e-r-y tender. Stir in some of the cooking sauce and serve on warm corn tortillas. So flavorful, like a Mexican carnival in your mouth!

How To Char Tortillas

Use a low setting on your gas stove and place a tortilla directly on the burner grate for about 45 seconds or until flecked with dark spots. Flip over and do the other side. Keep tortillas warm in a cloth towel.

Toppings are always welcome too! Try shredded lettuce, crumbled queso fresco or a Mexican cheese blend, pickled red onions, chopped sweet onion, guacamole, chopped cilantro, or whatever you like.

Serve pork tacos with Dos Equis or a craft beer of your choice. A specialty cocktail like a spicy Paloma or a strawberry margarita is always fun. Have lots of tortilla chips on hand to scoop up leftover sauce! Make your own baked tortilla chips or air fryer tortilla chips with any extra corn tortillas.

Overhead view of an open pork taco with assorted toppings.

FAQs

What cut of pork is best for tacos?

I like to use a boneless pork shoulder. Sometimes this cut is called pork butt or Boston butt. The pork shoulder has enough fat and connective tissue to make the meat tender and flavorful when slow cooking. You’ll find that most pulled pork recipes use pork shoulder. Pork tenderloin and pork loin roasts are leaner and perfect for quicker cooking methods.

Can you put raw pork in a slow cooker?

Yes! The pork will be safely cooked using either the low or high setting. Some people like to brown the pork before adding it to the slow cooker for more flavor.

Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low?

The contents of your slow cooker are simmered at the same temperature whether you choose High or Low. The difference between the two settings is how long it takes the slow cooker to achieve the cooking temperature. That means that most recipes can be prepared using either setting, depending on how much time you have.

Amazing slow cooker pork tacos on a plate with assorted toppings.

Make It Your Own

  • Not a fan of pork? Substitute 2 pounds (or more) of boneless skinless chicken thighs for the pork.
  • Not in the mood for tacos? This rich braised pork is delicious served on cilantro lime rice or quinoa for a burrito bowl. Sprinkle with queso fresco and fresh cilantro.
  • Stir in a can of white beans, such as Great Northern or cannellini, rinsed and drained, for a more stew-like dish.
  • If you prefer, prepare the pork in your oven, using a heavy covered pot, like a Dutch oven. Bake at 300°F for 2 ½ to 3 hours.
Overhead view of a platter with pork tacos and toppings.

Storage and Reheating

Leftover pork tacos can be stored in a covered container in your fridge for three to four days, or a couple months in your freezer.

Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave. Alternatively, spread the meat on a large rimmed baking sheet and broil it until lightly browned.

Make-Ahead Ideas

Prepare the slow cooker pork taco meat, cool and refrigerate. Reheat in the crockpot or use one of the methods above when you’re ready to serve.

Pork verde tacos on a round platter with toppings and additional tortillas.

More Taco Ideas

Tacos are welcome on Taco Tuesday or any day of the week. Try one of these exciting taco fillings:

  • Instant Pot Carnitas
  • Easy Fish Tacos Recipe with Blood Orange Salsa
  • Salmon Tacos with avocado slaw
  • Crispy Sweet Potato Tacos — a vegan recipe, with beer marinated sweet potatoes
  • Cauliflower Tacos with Chickpeas — another meatless idea
  • Shrimp Tacos with Avocado, Mango and Pineapple Salsa
  • Healthy Taco Meat (in 30 minutes!)
  • Cherry Chicken Tacos with Lime Sour Cream
  • Instant Pot Shredded Chicken — 2 ingredients, 4 variations

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Pork tacos on a plate with cilantro, avocados, and pickled red onions.
Recipe

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Tacos

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 6 hrs
Total Time: 6 hrs 20 mins
6 servings
Print Rate Recipe
Prevent your screen from going dark
Change up your taco menu with slow cooker pork tacos, a Mexican riff on tender pulled pork with green tomatillo sauce. Serve on warm corn tortillas with all the fixings.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ to 2 lbs. boneless pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • ¾ pound (5 to 6 medium) tomatillos, husked and rinsed
  • ½ medium yellow onion, cut into quarters
  • 2 jalapeños, stemmed, halved and seeds scraped out
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and halved
  • ¼ cup (loosely packed) roughly chopped cilantro, plus more for serving
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
  • Garnishes: pickled red onions, lime wedges, queso fresco cheese, additional cilantro, avocado

Instructions

  • Place pork chunks in slow cooker.
  • Cut tomatillos, onion, and jalapeno into 1-inch pieces. Add vegetables, garlic, cilantro, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper to blender. Blend until no large chunks remain. Pour vegetable sauce over pork in slow cooker.
  • Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours, or on high for 4 to 5 hours. 
  • Remove pork from slow cooker with tongs or slotted spoon to large plate. Shred with two forks. Return to sauce in slow cooker.
  • Serve immediately on corn tortillas with desired toppings and tomatillo sauce from slow cooker.

Notes

  • Nutrition information does not include tortillas or toppings.
  • If you prefer, prepare the pork in your oven, using a heavy covered pot, like a Dutch oven. Bake at 300°F for 2 ½ to 3 hours.
  • For more servings, double all ingredients.
  • Substitute 2 pounds (or more) of boneless skinless chicken thighs for the pork, if desired.
  • Alternate serving suggestion: This rich braised pork is delicious served on cilantro lime rice or quinoa. Sprinkle with queso fresco and fresh cilantro.
  • Stir in a can of white beans, such as Great Northern or cannellini, rinsed and drained, for a more stew-like dish.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 171kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 26g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 68mg, Sodium: 276mg, Potassium: 631mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 163IU, Vitamin C: 14mg, Calcium: 20mg, Iron: 2mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Author: Rachel Gurk

Shop this post

Blendtec Total Classic Blender
Vitamix 5200 Blender
KitchenAid 6-Qt. Slow Cooker
Did You Make This?Be sure to upload a photo & tag me at @RachelCooksBlog. I love seeing what you made!
Share A Photo! Tag on Insta Rate It
Holiday Quick-Start Guide

Get my Holiday

Quick-Start Guide!

Free email series of my best tips!

FREE BONUS!

You May Also Like...

  • Pulled pork in a bowl with rice, black beans, corn and sour cream.
    Slow Cooker Cuban Pork (Mojo Pork)
  • Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Plum Bourbon Barbecue Sauce
  • Two slices of slow cooker pork loin with balsamic glaze.
    Slow Cooker Pork Loin with Balsamic Glaze
  • Image of pot roast piled on top of mashed potatoes. Carrots also pictured.
    Instant Pot Pot Roast Recipe
Close up overhead view of moroccan stew made with butternut squash, chickpeas and more. Served with couscous.
Previous Post
Moroccan Stew with Butternut Squash and Chickpeas
Close up of two air fryer apple fritters with a glaze.
Next Post
Air Fryer Apple Fritters with Apple Cider Glaze

Reader Interactions

Leave a Review Cancel reply

Recipe Rating




The maximum upload file size: 1 MB. You can upload: image. Drop files here

  1. denise says

    October 20, 2020 at 11:59 pm

    looks fantastic.

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      October 25, 2020 at 8:24 pm

      Thanks Denise! We love these!

      Reply
  2. Victoria says

    October 20, 2020 at 8:35 pm

    Hi! New reader here. Do you use corn or flour tortillas? And how do you get them to be slightly charred like that? Just heat on a stovetop?

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      October 20, 2020 at 9:10 pm

      Hi! Welcome to Rachel Cooks. :) I use corn, but you could use either. I do just char them on the open flame of my gas stove (they go fast so watch them!). This pork is also great on its own, on nachos, or in a burrito bowl!

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

Hi, I'm Rachel! Life can be complicated, cooking shouldn't be! I believe that you can put a delicious meal on the table without stressing. It's possible, and I'm here to help. Have a seat at my table...let's chat, eat, and have fun! Read more...

Air Fryer Instant Pot 30 Minutes One Pan Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Slow Cooker Vegetarian 5 Ingredients

Trending

Cooked salmon fillet on a grey-toned plate with cooked asparagus spears. The salmon is being flaked with a fork.

Air Fryer Salmon – easy and delicious!

Pizza pasta being scooped from a pan with a wooden spoon.

Pizza Pasta – 1 pan, 20 minutes

Image of a giant bowl of spaghetti with turkey meatballs.

Baked Turkey Meatballs

Asparagus Panzanella Salad

Seasonal

Beef and vegetable stir fry in a black wok.

Beef Stir Fry With Vegetables

Hot honey chicken sheet pan dinner with honey being drizzled on.

Hot Honey Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

Sweet and sour shrimp lettuce wrap garnished with green onion.

Sweet and Sour Shrimp Lettuce Wraps

BBQ Chicken burrito bowl with avocado and sour cream.

BBQ Chicken Bowl

Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window
Free Bonus!

5 Cooking Secrets to Save Time & Stress

Free email series of my best tips and recipes!

Featured On:

Back to Top
  • About
  • Contact
  • Press
  • Work with Me
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility
© 2023 Rachel Cooks®
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled