Slow Cooker Carnitas Breakfast Tacos
Slow Cooker Carnitas Breakfast Tacos made easy with marinated pork, scrambled eggs, beans, cheese, sour cream, and salsa. Start pork the night before and wake up to ready to eat carnitas for a decadent, Mexican-style breakfast.
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Carnitas Tacos for Breakfast
If it’s not clear by now, I’m a bit obsessed with Mexican food. I crave it so much it’s now become a breakfast item. These Slow Cooker Carnitas Breakfast Tacos will help to satisfy that craving.
The combination of flavors may be outside of the usual pairing, but scrambled eggs go surprisingly well with slow cooker carnitas. What’s even better about this recipe is the suggested timing. Start the seasoned pork the night before in a slow cooker. Set on low for at least 8 hours, then let it stay on warm.
You’ll wake up to a house full of meaty, savory carnitas smell. Maybe it’s the food lover in me, but this is just as good as waking up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee.
What is carnitas?
Carnitas literally means “little meats” and is a traditional Mexican meat dish made by braising or frying shredded pork in oil or lard. My version of carnitas is much healthier and I’ve omitted the oil and fat and instead slow cooked the pork just in a simple marinade.
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Carnitas Breakfast Tacos
- Boneless Pork Shoulder – I used Smithfield which is pre-seasoned and makes easy carnitas
- Eggs and milk – to make fluffy scrambled eggs
- Salt and pepper – enhances flavors
- Corn tortillas – keeps this recipe gluten-free, or use flour tortillas if you prefer
- Black beans – rinsed and drained, heated
- Mexican-blend cheese – a variety of cheeses, shredded
- Avocados – I think avocado should go with any Mexican meal
- Salsa – homemade or your favorite store-bought for a bit of fresh spiciness
- Sour cream – for topping for rich and creamy flavor
- Cilantro – as a garnish
Pork used for carnitas
I used Smithfield Marinated Boneless Pork Shoulder Seasoned Carnitas. It saves you time with pre-seasoned carnitas flavor, while providing quality 100% pork with natural ingredients. Slow cooker carnitas is made simple, no extra seasonings or ingredients needed.
PRO TIP: Shred the pork and you’re ready to start your Slow Cooker Carnitas Breakfast Tacos. I recommend broiling the carnitas in a single layer once cooked to add a bit of crispness, but is entirely optional.
How to make breakfast tacos with carnitas
- Place pork in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for at least 8 hours or high for 4 hours (Note: you can do this the evening before so it’s ready for breakfast).
- Drain any excess liquid and shred pork into small pieces. Optional: Before serving, broil on high in a single layer on a baking sheet until edges are crisp, about 5 minutes.
- Whisk together eggs, milk, salt, and pepper. Scramble in a greased non-stick pan over medium heat; stirring often until fluffy and cooked.
- Heat or toast tortillas. Top each with the desired amount of carnitas, scrambled eggs, shredded cheese, salsa, avocado, sour cream and/or cilantro.
Tips for homemade carnitas tacos
- You can prep the pork the night before, cook on low for 8 hours and it’s ready for breakfast or brunch.
- You can easily customize these tacos and make them your own with your favorite Mexican toppings.
- These don’t need to be just for breakfast, you can enjoy carnitas tacos for lunch or dinner too
- Looking for some heat? add in some pickled jalapenos or opt for hot salsa.
- You can swap the beans for pan fried potatoes which will also work really well for breakfast.
- Store leftover pork in the fridge for 2-3 days or freeze in a Ziploc bag or container for longer storage.
Toppings for Mexican breakfast tacos
When it comes to toppings the list is endless. Add scrambled eggs, and Mexican-style ingredients like beans, salsa, cheese, sour cream, avocado, and cilantro in a corn tortilla to complete your Slow Cooker Carnitas Breakfast Tacos.
Other ways to use leftover pulled pork
Another option is to make these into burritos or quesadillas and pack as a unique lunch for work. You can even use leftover pulled pork in a torta with your favorite veggies, coleslaw or cheese or add it to salads with Mexican rice and grilled vegetables.
With pre-seasoned pork carnitas and a slow cooker, breakfast, lunch or dinner can be a whole new experience and fast.
Slow Cooker Carnitas Breakfast Tacos recipe at-a-glance:
Flavor profiles: Meaty, rich and savory, with a burst of tangy, creamy and spicy toppings
Texture: Moist, tender and juicy filling with a soft and chewy tortilla outside
More Taco Recipes You Might Like
- Fried Fish Tacos
- Shrimp Ceviche Tacos
- Blackened Fish Tacos
- Baked Fish Tacos
- Mediterranean Shrimp Tacos
- Pork Fajita Tacos
- Sweet Potato Breakfast Tacos
Slow Cooker Carnitas Breakfast Tacos
Ingredients
- 2-½ pounds Smithfield Marinated Boneless Pork Shoulder Seasoned Carnitas
- 8 large eggs
- ½ tablespoon milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 1 cup black beans rinsed and drained, heated
- 1 cup shredded Mexican-blend cheese
- 2 avocados sliced
- ¼ cup salsa
- ¼ cup sour cream
- Cilantro as garnish
Instructions
- Removed pork from package and place in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for at least 8 hours or high for 4 hours (Note: you can do this the evening before so it’s ready for breakfast). Drain any excess liquid and shred pork into small pieces. You'll have extra carnitas for additional tacos or leftovers. Optional: Before serving, broil on high in a single layer on a baking sheet until edges are crisp, about 5 minutes.
- Whisk together eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Scramble in a greased non-stick pan over medium heat; stirring often until fluffy and cooked, 5-7 minutes.
- Heat or toast tortillas. Top each with desired amount of carnitas and remaining ingredients.
Notes
- You can prep the pork the night before, cook on low for 8 hours and it's ready for breakfast or brunch.
- You can easily customize these tacos and make them your own with your favorite Mexican toppings.
- These don't need to be just for breakfast you can enjoy them for lunch or dinner too!
- Looking for some heat? add in some pickled jalapenos or opt for hot salsa.
- You can swap the beans for pan fried potatoes which will also work really well for breakfast.
- Store leftover pork in the fridge for 2-3 days or freeze in a ziploc bag or container.
we are vegetarians, but we do love tacos so will be trying this recipe out soon minus the pork..
I’m always looking for delicious new breakfast ideas. Mexican food is one of my favorites so these carnitas for breakfast would be delicious. It would pair well with some scrambled eggs, pico, and avocado.
My family loves tacos. This recipe will be added to our menus.
Love Mexican food as well and the slow cooking of the meat must make this meal even more delicious! Thanks for sharing the detailed recipe !
These tacos look so good. I will have to make this for breakfast one morning.
Will try on next trip to Walmart to find Smithfield marinated pork. So far no one has it. The recipes look fab.
Thanks Wanita. You should be able to find it at the regular stores as well as neighborhood markets. Good luck.
Mexicans are amazing to make a dinner dish into a breakfast dish and get creative for a morning start among other dishes like Pozole and Menudo can’t leave out Chorizo.
Love this. When I think of a breakfast taco I think of a lot of eggs and hardly any meat, this is so the opposite. Going to have to make this soon.
Tacos for breakfast is an amazing idea, I will be giving it a try 🙂
These look gorgeous! Something we definitely don’t do enough in the UK is tacos, particularly for breakfast, so I think I’m going to have to start!
Thanks so much! I hope you do Cliona.
Mexican food is a favorite around here too. And I love breakfast tacos! Or really just anything in a tortilla! 🙂
Haha I totally agree Jenn!
Tacos for breakfast is an awesome idea! And the recipe sounds fabulous!
I’m glad you agree, thanks Denise!
Taco are always great! Thanks Denise!
Try mixing meat with the eggs…so good
Yep it’s an awesome combo. Thanks Alvaro!
We love taco nights around our house, too, so I’m all about tacos in the morning, too! What a great idea for a Saturday morning breakfast. Thanks so much for sharing! #client
Tacos a great anytime! Thanks David