Warm tortillas and traditional taco toppings join forces with a classic barbecue dish in juicy, flavorful smoked pork tacos, which will be the hit of your cookout. 

Smoked Pork Tacos Recipe: How to Make Smoked Pork Tacos

Smoked pork tacos are a riff on the classic handheld Mexican dish featuring smoked and shredded pork carnitas tucked inside of a warm flour or [corn tortilla](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-corn-tortillas). Instead of baking or roasting the pork shoulder for the carnitas, home chefs can slow-cook the meat over indirect heat on a wood smoker until it is savory, succulent, and smoky for a flavorful taco filling. 

Whether you’re an experienced BBQ smoker or just learning how to operate a grill, follow these tips to craft the best smoked pulled pork tacos possible: 

1. __Adjust the seasonings__. Customize the Mexican-inspired pork shoulder dry rub to suit your taste preferences. Add heat to the dish with cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Incorporate additional spices and herbs (like ground coriander and thyme) for herbaceous flavor.
2. __Use a thermometer as your guide__. The amount of time required to cook your smoked pork shoulder will vary widely, depending on the size of the cut of meat and the grill. Use a high-quality thermometer inserted into the pork as your guide, rather than the clock. Typically, the pork will take two hours per pound to cook at the recommended 225-degree Fahrenheit temperature.
3. __Experiment with toppings__. Customize your smoked pork tacos with various toppings, such as [pickled jalapeños](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/pickled-jalapenos), pickled red onions, <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-sour-cream' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-sour-cream","linkCopy":"sour cream","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>sour cream</a>, [guacamole](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-perfect-guacamole), cotija cheese, or homemade salsa. For some added flavor and nutrients, top your tacos with roasted and raw vegetables like fajita peppers and onions, shredded lettuce, and [pico de gallo](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-homemade-pico-de-gallo). 
4. __Store leftovers properly__. Store your leftover pork and taco toppings in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator, which will keep for up to 3 days. Gently reheat the pork in a pan or a 350-degree-Fahrenheit oven before assembling your tacos.
Warm tortillas and traditional taco toppings join forces with a classic barbecue dish in juicy, flavorful smoked pork tacos, which will be the hit of your cookout.

Smoked pork tacos are a riff on the classic handheld Mexican dish featuring smoked and shredded pork carnitas tucked inside of a warm flour or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-corn-tortillas' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-corn-tortillas","linkCopy":"corn tortilla","category":null}'>corn tortilla</a>. Instead of baking or roasting the pork shoulder for the carnitas, home chefs can slow-cook the meat over indirect heat on a wood smoker until it is savory, succulent, and smoky for a flavorful taco filling.

What Are Smoked Pork Tacos?

Whether you’re an experienced BBQ smoker or just learning how to operate a grill, follow these tips to craft the best smoked pulled pork tacos possible: <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Adjust the seasonings. Customize the Mexican-inspired pork shoulder dry rub to suit your taste preferences. Add heat to the dish with cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Incorporate additional spices and herbs (like ground coriander and thyme) for herbaceous flavor. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Use a thermometer as your guide. The amount of time required to cook your smoked pork shoulder will vary widely, depending on the size of the cut of meat and the grill. Use a high-quality thermometer inserted into the pork as your guide, rather than the clock. Typically, the pork will take two hours per pound to cook at the recommended 225-degree Fahrenheit temperature. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Experiment with toppings. Customize your smoked pork tacos with various toppings, such as <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/pickled-jalapenos' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/pickled-jalapenos","linkCopy":"pickled jalapeños","category":null}'>pickled jalapeños</a>, pickled red onions, <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-sour-cream' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-sour-cream","linkCopy":"sour cream","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>sour cream</a>, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-perfect-guacamole' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-perfect-guacamole","linkCopy":"guacamole","category":null}'>guacamole</a>, cotija cheese, or homemade salsa. For some added flavor and nutrients, top your tacos with roasted and raw vegetables like fajita peppers and onions, shredded lettuce, and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-homemade-pico-de-gallo' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-homemade-pico-de-gallo","linkCopy":"pico de gallo","category":null}'>pico de gallo</a>. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Store leftovers properly. Store your leftover pork and taco toppings in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator, which will keep for up to 3 days. Gently reheat the pork in a pan or a 350-degree-Fahrenheit oven before assembling your tacos. </li></ol>

4 Tips for Making Smoked Pork Tacos

Homemade Smoked Pork Tacos Recipe

Warm tortillas and traditional taco toppings join forces with a classic barbecue dish in juicy, flavorful smoked pork tacos, which will be the hit of your cookout.

Warm tortillas and traditional taco toppings join forces with a classic barbecue dish in juicy, flavorful smoked pork tacos, which will be the hit of your cookout. 
