Pulled pork tacos are a quick and easy dinner made with leftover pulled pork. The flavorful, tender pork is perfect stuffed into warm corn or flour tortillas and topped with your favorite taco fixings. But with so many options, what should you put on pulled pork tacos?
In this article, I’ll suggest 12 of my favorite toppings and ingredient ideas to take your pork tacos to the next level. From traditional garnishes like onion and cilantro to fun additions like mango salsa and fries, there are endless ways to customize these tacos to suit your tastes.
12 Delicious Pulled Pork Taco Toppings
1. Shredded Cabbage
Cabbage adds crunch and balances the richness of the pork. Use green or purple cabbage shredded thinly The volume helps fill up the tacos too
2. Queso Fresco
Sprinkle on crumbled queso fresco cheese for a salty, melty accent Other Mexican cheese like cotija or monterey jack also pair well
3. Pico de Gallo
This fresh salsa with tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and lime is a perfect way to add color and flavor. You can also use store-bought or other salsas like salsa verde.
4. Guacamole
Creamy, cool guacamole complements the warm pork wonderfully. I like to add extra lime juice to brighten it up. Homemade or store-bought both work.
5. Jalapeños
For some heat, slice up fresh jalapeños or use pickled jalapeño slices. Start with just a little until you know your tolerance.
6. Cilantro
Fresh cilantro leaves tie everything together. Sprinkle them on generously after building the tacos.
7. Lime Wedges
I like to serve pulled pork tacos with lime wedges for squeezing over the finished tacos. The bright acidity really balances the rich pork.
8. Onions
Raw thinly sliced onions add a nice crunch. Red, white, or yellow onions all work well. I soak them in ice water ahead of time to mellow their bite.
9. Radishes
For more crunch and color, thinly slice radishes and scatter them over the tacos. Their peppery bite contrasts the pork.
10. Cotija Cheese
Crumble dry, salty cotija cheese over the tacos instead of queso fresco. I love its distinctive flavor.
11. Mango Salsa
For a tropical twist, use fresh mango salsa full of sweet and acidic flavors. It brightens up the tacos beautifully.
12. French Fries
This may seem unorthodox, but crispy fries piled into the tacos add fantastic texture and soak up any meat juices. Kids and adults alike will love this topping!
More Tips for Building Pulled Pork Tacos
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Warm the tortillas so they’re pliable and don’t crack. Heat them in the microwave for 20 seconds or on a hot skillet for 15-30 seconds per side.
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Double up smaller 6″ corn tortillas to prevent ripping and overstuffing.
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Add a drizzle of Mexican crema for a creamy, tangy contrast.
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Mix and match several toppings together like cabbage, cilantro, and salsa.
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Add hot sauce like Cholula for those who want an extra kick.
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For more flavor, season the pork with extra lime juice, cumin, chili powder, or taco seasoning while reheating.
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Refry the pork in a skillet with chopped onions and bell peppers for a heartier filling.
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Keep toppings like lettuce and tomato separate from the hot fillings so they don’t get soggy.
Filling Ideas Beyond Pulled Pork
While leftovers are an easy option, you can also use these other proteins in place of pulled pork:
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Shredded chicken – rotisserie, grilled, or poached
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Ground beef or turkey, seasoned like taco meat
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Diced or shredded flank steak
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Crumbled chorizo or breakfast sausage
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Sauteed shrimp or carnitas
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Refried black or pinto beans
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Marinated, grilled tofu or tempeh
Make Ahead Pulled Pork Tacos
To get a head start, you can make and store the pork filling up to 3 days ahead:
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Prepare the pork as directed, let cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container.
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When ready to serve, reheat the pork in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, adding broth or water if needed to thin it out.
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Assemble tacos right before eating so the tortillas don’t get soggy.
With so many possibilities for delicious toppings and fillings, these easy pulled pork tacos are sure to become a regular weeknight meal. Now get creative with your own favorite ingredients! Just be sure to pile on plenty of flavorful fixings.
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What’s In These Pulled Pork Tacos
Like any other taco recipe, all you need are tortillas, your favorite toppings, and a main source of protein.
- Pulled Pork: Time to use that slow cooker and make my pulled pork recipe, which I’ve linked to above and below. It’s enough for a big party, or you can freeze some to enjoy the next day.
- If you’re gluten-free like me, I really think you should try my cassava flour tortillas. But, of course, you can choose any tortilla you want.
- Pickled Red Onion: These tacos taste 1000 times better with these pickled red onions that you made yourself. Plus they only take an hour to make and are very simple to do.
- And finally, I love adding avocado, goat cheese, and cilantro as a finishing touch. Here are some of my favorite ideas to give you more ideas.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below
How To Make Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
- Prep the pork. Cut off any extra fat, and then rub the spice mix all over the pork.
- Prep the slow cooker. Put the orange juice, tomato paste, and diced onion into the slow cooker. Then place the pork on top.
- Cook low and slow. Let this cook for 8 hours on low. You can cook this for 4 to 5 hours on high if you don’t have much time. The pulled pork should be very tender and juicy by that time!
- Time to shred. Take the pork out of the slow cooker carefully and place it on a cutting board. Then use two forks to shred it by pulling the pieces apart. Now, you’re ready for taco assembly!.
Mexican Pulled Pork
FAQ
What is a good topping for pulled pork?
What goes well with pork tacos?
What compliments pulled pork?
How do you eat leftover pulled pork tacos?
Add the pulled pork to the heated tortillas. Then, add the shredded cheese, crispy onion strings, coleslaw and drizzle with additional BBQ sauce, if desired. Salt and pepper to tastes. Serve with rice, beans, or your favorite sides. These leftover pulled pork tacos are absolutely full of flavor, but they don’t take much work at all.
What are the best ingredients for BBQ Pulled Pork Tacos?
Avocado – Fresh avocado adds a creamy texture to these BBQ pulled pork tacos. Lime – A little squeeze of lime adds that acidic flavor that brings all the fillings together and cuts through the sweetness from the BBQ sauce. Herbs – Cilantro is the best herb for tacos. The sweet lemony, peppery flavor is perfect for BBQ flavored recipes.
How do you make the Best Pulled Pork Tacos?
To make the best pulled pork tacos of your life, you’re going to start with a batch of Slow Cooker Pulled Pork, nestle it in tortillas, and then doctor up the pork tacos with the following ingredients and toppings! Take out the following ingredients: Note: All ingredients amounts are listed in the recipe card section when you keep scrolling down.
What to serve with pulled pork tacos?
Make a batch of empanadas and fill them with seasoned beef for a tasty side dish. For a lighter option, serve your tacos with a side of cauliflower rice. Sauté some cauliflower rice until they’re tender, and then season with lime, garlic, and cilantro. This makes an excellent accompaniment to your BBQ pulled pork tacos!