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If you’re looking for a delicious and flavorful taco to add to your weekly Taco Tuesday menu, look no further than these pulled pork street tacos.

Pulled pork street tacos are such a delicious and flavorful dish. With juicy, savory pork, and fresh toppings like charred corn kernels, pickled onions, and cilantro, these pulled pork street tacos are perfect for a weeknight meal or large summer gathering.

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This recipe is by far one of my favorites to make for a quick weeknight dinner. You can never go wrong with tacos!

These pulled pork street tacos are so easy to make. Simply place the spice rubbed pork butt into a crockpot and leave it. Then when you’re ready to eat, all you have to do is warm the corn tortillas and prep your fresh toppings. 

Origins of Pulled Pork Street Tacos

Street tacos are a Mexican-style taco that is sold by vendors on the streets, hence their name.

Street tacos don’t all look alike, as they can have various toppings and flavors.

What Is a Street Taco?

However, one of the most popular street tacos is pulled pork. Pulled pork street tacos originated in Mexico, as carnitas street tacos. Carnitas street tacos are typically made with pork that is slow-cooked in spices, shredded and served in small, warm corn tortillas.

A variety of fresh toppings are then added, such as onions, cilantro, lime juice, and salsa.

These tacos are such a great meal to serve for large gatherings with friends and family. The pork is big enough to supply a lot of pulled pork, and the toppings are easy to place out in a buffet style.

Create a little taco assembly line, and the people will be satisfied! 

What to Serve with Pulled Pork Street Tacos

In this pulled pork street taco recipe, I make a chili lime and parsley pork butt rub and lather it all over the meat, then place in a slow cooker for 8 hours.

I like to top these tacos with grilled and charred corn on the cob kernels, homemade pickled cucumbers and onions, sour cream and cilantro. However you can certainly switch up the toppings!

Here are some additional toppings that would also complement the flavors of the pulled pork. 

1. Salsa – A fresh salsa made from diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, lime juice, and salt is the perfect topping for pulled pork street tacos. It adds a bright and zesty flavor that pairs well with the rich, savory pork. You could also sweeten it up with this fresh mango pico de gallo!
2. Guacamole – A creamy and flavorful guacamole made from ripe avocados, lime juice, garlic, and salt is another great topping for pulled pork street tacos. The cool and creamy texture of the guacamole provides a perfect contrast to the tender and juicy pork.
3. Cheese – Traditionally cheese is not a topping used on carnitas street tacos, but that doesn’t mean you can’t add any! I’d recommend trying some crumbled goat or Cotija cheese sprinkled on top. 
4. Sautéed Bell Peppers – Wanting more fajita vibes? Sauté some thinly sliced red, yellow or orange bell peppers in some olive oil until tender. 
5. Coleslaw – I love adding homemade coleslaw to my BBQ pulled pork tacos. Likewise, it could still be a crisp addition to the pulled pork street tacos too! Just toss some grated and chopped cabbage and carrots with ½ cup mayo, ¼ cup lemon juice, and ¼ cup sugar. 
6. Crushed Pineapple – It might sound crazy, but have you ever had a Hawaiian pizza? The savory flavor of the pulled pork, brightened by the sweet and tangy pineapple is such a fun twist for summertime tacos! 

protein Substitutions for Pork

For those who don’t eat pork, or want to try something different, there are many substitutions that will work well too! Some popular substitutions include:

1. Chicken – Shredded chicken is a great alternative to pork in pulled pork street tacos. It’s leaner and lighter than pork but still provides a lot of flavor and texture to the dish.
2. Beef – Shredded beef or thinly carved flank steak is another delicious alternative to the pork in these street tacos. It’s rich and savory and pairs well with all of the same toppings and sides as pork.
3. Fish – Fish tacos anyone? Grilled fish is just as delicious with the pickled cucumbers and onions, and all the other toppings as well! This would be one to test out that crushed pineapple or even top with some homemade mango Pico De Gallo!
4. Tofu – For my vegetarian friends, tofu can be a great substitute for these street tacos. But it’s essential to season the tofu well, and cook it until it’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

How to Make Pulled Pork Street Tacos

A little louder for those in the back — Again, “this pulled pork street taco recipe is super simple!”

Here is the list of ingredients to stock up on to make your delicious taco creations:

Pulled Pork Street Taco Ingredients

Ingredients For the Pork Butt Rub

Recipe Directions

Step 1. Get your slow cooker ready. Feel free to use a slow cooker liner for easy cleanup if desired. 

Step 2. Prepare your pork butt rub. The pork butt rub recipe includes ¼ cup olive oil, juice from 1 freshly squeezed lime, 2 Tbsp. Chili lime seasoning, 1 Tbsp. Black pepper, 1 ½ Tbsp. Salt, and 1 ½ Cups packed freshly chopped curly parsley. Mix all together in a bowl until well combined. 

Step 3. Place your pork shoulder butt in the crockpot and lather the rub mixture into the meat. Make sure to coat the entire cut of pork. 

Step 4. Place your squeezed lime halves into the crock pot. 

Step 5. Roughly chop up the garlic cloves and yellow onion and place on top and around the pork inside the crockpot. Then cover, and slow cook for 8 hours on low. 

Step 6. In the 7th hour of cook time, check your pork’s temperature. If you feel your cut was on the larger side and needs a boost, turn your slow cooker temperature to high for the remaining hour. 

Step 7. While your pork is continuing to cook, you can begin grilling your corn on the cob until fully cooked and slightly charred. 

Step 8. Carve and shred your pork butt and set aside, tented to keep moist. 

Step 9. Prepare your toppings. Take your pickled cucumbers and onions, and sour cream out of the refrigerator, chop your cilantro, and shave the corn kernels off the grilled cobs. 

Step 10. Using a cast iron skillet, place it on medium-low on your stove top and coat in olive oil. Place 4 corn tortillas in at a time, warming and crisping both sides (about a minute on each side). 

Step 11. Build your taco. I like to start with the meat, followed by the corn, then pickled cucumbers and red onions, sour cream and then cilantro garnish. Dive in and enjoy! 

Free Printable Recipe Card

Leftover Pulled Pork Tacos

Save any leftover pulled pork by placing in an air tight container or Ziploc freezer bag and place in the refrigerator. The leftover pork will stay fresh up to 3-4 days.

If you have more pork leftover than you know what do with, you can also freeze any leftovers for up to 4-6 months if properly sealed. 

Here are some more ideas for what to do with leftover pulled pork.

• Pulled Pork Soup | A Pork Pozole Hominy Stew
• Simple Char Siu Pork Fried Rice
• Reheat in a skillet to serve alongside Cowboy Beans and Roasted Carrots

Get More Recipes

I really hope you enjoy this recipe! Pulled pork street tacos are such a delicious and flavorful dish.

With juicy pork, and fresh toppings, pulled pork street tacos are a perfect meal for any occasion. They work well for a weeknight meal, or large summer gathering. And with so many great substitutions for pork, everyone can enjoy this simple dish. 

I’d love to hear what you put on your pulled pork street tacos, or if you even substituted for a different protein. Let me know in the comments below! 

Looking for more pork inspired recipes? Check out these next:

• Simple Char Siu Pork Fried Rice Recipe
• Cinnamon Apple Pork Chops with Bourbon Glaze
• Best Pork Tenderloin Recipe for Easy Weeknight Dinners

You can also visit my recipe archives here.

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– Sarah