10+ Mexican Pork Recipes to Spice Up Your Dinner Table

Mexican pork recipes bring a world of flavor to your kitchen, offering a variety of delicious and satisfying dishes. These recipes often highlight the richness of pork combined with bold spices and fresh ingredients, making them perfect for any meal.

Whether you’re hosting a gathering or just enjoying a family dinner, these dishes are sure to please everyone at the table.

From tender carnitas to zesty al pastor, there are countless ways to prepare and enjoy pork in Mexican cuisine. Each recipe showcases different cooking techniques and flavors, allowing you to explore the diverse and vibrant tastes of Mexico.

You’ll find that cooking these meals can be a fun way to connect with loved ones while enjoying a delicious feast together.

1) Slow-Cooked Pork Carnitas

Slow-cooked pork carnitas is a delicious Mexican dish that’s perfect for tacos, burritos, or simply on its own. You will love how easy it is to make and how tender the meat turns out.

To start, choose a pork shoulder as it has enough fat to stay juicy during cooking. Season it with spices, garlic, and citrus juices for great flavor.

Cooking it low and slow helps the meat become melt-in-your-mouth tender.

Once cooked, you can shred the pork using two forks. For added texture, crisp it up under the broiler for a few minutes. This gives you that delightful contrast of tender and crispy.

Ingredients

• 3-4 lbs (1.4-1.8 kg) pork shoulder
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice of 2 oranges
• Juice of 2 limes
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Place the pork shoulder in a slow cooker.
2. Add onion, garlic, orange juice, lime juice, and spices.
3. Cook on low for 8 hours (about 93 °C).
4. Shred the pork with forks.
5. Broil in the oven for 5-7 minutes for crispiness.

2) Spicy Pork Tacos al Pastor

Spicy Pork Tacos al Pastor are a delicious choice for taco night. This recipe features marinated pork that is full of flavor. The combination of spices and pineapple adds a unique touch.

To start, you will need thin slices of pork shoulder. The meat gets marinated in a mix of chilies, spices, and achiote, which gives it a rich color and taste.

Fresh pineapple adds sweetness, balancing the spices perfectly.

You can grill or bake the pork for a crispy texture. Serve the tacos in warm corn tortillas, topped with onions and cilantro for an authentic experience.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 g) pork shoulder, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons achiote paste
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) pineapple juice
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (150 g) fresh pineapple, diced
• Corn tortillas
• Chopped onions and cilantro for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine achiote paste, pineapple juice, garlic, cumin, oregano, and salt in a bowl.
2. Marinate the pork slices in the mixture for at least 2 hours.
3. Preheat your grill to medium-high (about 375°F or 190°C).
4. Grill the pork until cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side.
5. Let the pork rest, then chop it into small pieces.
6. Warm the corn tortillas and fill them with the grilled pork and diced pineapple.
7. Top with chopped onions and cilantro. Enjoy!

3) Tangy Ancho-Orange Chilorio

Tangy Ancho-Orange Chilorio is a delicious Mexican dish made with tender pork shoulder. The pork is slow-cooked in a flavorful sauce made from orange juice, spices, and ancho chiles.

To prepare this dish, you’ll first need to season the pork. Then, you’ll cook it slowly to let all the flavors meld together.

The result is a rich, zesty meal that can be enjoyed in tacos or burritos.

This comforting dish is perfect for family gatherings or a simple weeknight dinner. It’s easy to make and packed with amazing flavors that everyone will love.

Ingredients

• 3 pounds pork shoulder
• 1 cup orange juice
• 2 tablespoons ancho chile powder
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced

Cooking Instructions

1. Season the pork shoulder with salt, cumin, and ancho chile powder.
2. In a slow cooker, place the seasoned pork, onion, and garlic.
3. Pour orange juice over the pork.
4. Cook on low for 8 hours (about 93°C) or until tender.
5. Shred the pork and mix with the sauce before serving.

4) Braised Pork in Tomatillo Sauce

Braised pork in tomatillo sauce is a flavorful dish that is popular in Mexican cuisine. The tomatillos add a fresh, tangy taste that pairs perfectly with tender pork.

You can use pork shoulder or pork loin for this recipe. The meat becomes juicy and flavorful after being slow-cooked in the sauce.

This dish is great served with rice or tortillas. It’s perfect for family dinners or gatherings with friends.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds pork shoulder, cut into chunks
• 1 pound tomatillos, husked and rinsed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1-2 green chilies, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. In a large pot, brown the pork chunks over medium heat.
3. Add the onions and garlic, cooking until softened.
4. Stir in tomatillos, chicken broth, and green chilies.
5. Season with salt and pepper, then bring to a boil.
6. Cover the pot and transfer it to the oven.
7. Cook for about 2-3 hours, until the pork is tender.
8. Serve with rice or tortillas, garnished with cilantro.

5) Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Cilantro

Grilled pork tenderloin with cilantro is a flavorful dish that’s perfect for summer barbecues. The marinade blends lime juice, oil, garlic, and fresh cilantro, creating a tasty coating for the pork.

Start by marinating the tenderloin for at least an hour to let the flavors soak in.

When you’re ready to grill, preheat your grill to medium-high heat, around 400°F (200°C).

Grill the tenderloin for about 15 minutes, turning it for even cooking. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).

Let the pork rest for a few minutes before slicing. This keeps it juicy and tender, enhancing your meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pork tenderloin
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Juice of 2 limes
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix olive oil, lime juice, garlic, cilantro, salt, and pepper.
2. Coat the pork tenderloin in the marinade and let it sit for at least 1 hour.
3. Preheat the grill to 400°F (200°C).
4. Grill the tenderloin for 15 minutes, turning occasionally.
5. Check the internal temperature; it should be 145°F (63°C).
6. Let it rest for a few minutes, then slice and serve.

6) Chipotle Lime Pulled Pork

Chipotle Lime Pulled Pork is a delicious choice for your next meal. The smoky chipotle flavors mix perfectly with zesty lime. This dish is easy to make and will impress your family and friends.

You’ll need pork shoulder, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, lime juice, and garlic. Cooking it slowly helps the flavors develop.

Ingredients

• 3-4 lbs pork shoulder
• 2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Place the pork shoulder in a slow cooker.
2. In a bowl, mix chipotle peppers, lime juice, and garlic.
3. Pour the mixture over the pork.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Cook on low for 8 hours (about 90°C).
6. Shred the pork with two forks and serve.

7) Instant Pot Pork Pibil

Instant Pot Pork Pibil is a tasty dish that captures the flavors of the Yucatán Peninsula. This recipe features pork that is marinated in citrus juices and spices, creating a deliciously tangy and savory filling for tacos.

To make it, you’ll want to use an electric pressure cooker. It cooks the pork quickly while still keeping it tender and juicy.

The bright, earthy flavors blend perfectly, making each bite enjoyable.

You can serve Pork Pibil in warm tortillas, topped with pickled onions and fresh cilantro. It’s great for family gatherings or a casual dinner.

Ingredients

• 3 to 4 pounds of pork shoulder
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 2 teaspoons achiote paste
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine orange juice, lime juice, achiote paste, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Rub the mixture on the pork shoulder.
3. Place the pork in the Instant Pot.
4. Seal the pot and cook on high pressure for 60 minutes (160°C).
5. Allow pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes before quick releasing the rest.
6. Shred the pork and serve in tortillas.

8) Dutch Oven Carnitas with Citrus

Dutch Oven Carnitas with citrus is a flavorful dish that brings a taste of Mexico to your kitchen. The combination of pork and citrus creates a deliciously tender meal with a hint of zest.

Start with pork shoulder, which is great for slow cooking. You will add fresh orange and lime juice for that bright flavor. This adds moisture and enhances the pork’s natural taste.

Slow cook your carnitas for several hours. This allows the meat to become tender, falling apart easily. For a crispy finish, you can broil the cooked pork for a few minutes.

Ingredients

• 3-4 lbs pork shoulder
• 1 orange, juiced and zested
• 2 limes, juiced
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup broth (chicken or beef)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
2. In your Dutch oven, combine pork, citrus juice, garlic, onion, cumin, salt, and pepper.
3. Add the broth and mix.
4. Cover and cook in the oven for about 3 hours.
5. Once tender, shred the meat.
6. Broil on high for 5-10 minutes for crispy edges.

9) Pork Mole en Casita

Pork Mole en Casita is a delightful dish that combines tender pork with rich mole sauce. This recipe allows you to enjoy traditional flavors in your own home.

Start by cooking your pork until it’s perfectly tender. You can use a slow cooker for the best results.

Once the pork is ready, mix in homemade or store-bought mole sauce. The sauce adds a deep, complex flavor that enhances the pork.

Serve this dish with rice or warm tortillas to enjoy every bit of the sauce. It’s perfect for family dinners or gatherings with friends.

Ingredients

• 3 cups shredded pork
• 3 cups mole sauce
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 large white onion, finely diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the pork in a slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours (around 175°F to 85°C).
2. In a pan, melt butter over medium heat.
3. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sauté until soft.
4. Mix the sautéed onion and garlic with the shredded pork and mole sauce.
5. Serve with rice or tortillas.

10) Ancho Chile Pulled Pork Burritos

Ancho chile pulled pork burritos are flavorful and satisfying. The pork is cooked slowly in a rich sauce made with orange juice and dried ancho chiles. This process allows the flavors to blend beautifully.

To build your burrito, start with a warm tortilla. Add a generous scoop of the tender pulled pork. Then, you can top it with refried beans, cheese, and any favorite toppings like salsa or avocado.

These burritos make a great meal for any occasion. They are also easy to customize to fit your taste.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds pork shoulder
• 3 dried ancho chiles
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Flour tortillas
• Refried beans
• Shredded cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak the ancho chiles in warm water for 20 minutes.

2. Puree chiles with orange juice, cumin, vinegar, salt, and pepper.

3. Place pork in a slow cooker and cover with the sauce.

4. Cook on low for 8 hours (about 75°C).

5. Shred the pork and assemble burritos with desired toppings.