These Crispy Pork Belly Tacos are pan-fried and glazed with fresh lime juice for flavor. Serve these street tacos with seared tortillas, pico de gallo, guacamole, or any of your favorite toppings.
Table of Contents
What is Pork Belly
It's a cut of meat from the belly of a pig. It is a fatty and flavorful cut that is used in various ways, particularly in Asian cuisine. It is often used to make bacon, but can also be cooked in other ways such as braising, roasting, grilling, or frying.
It is a popular ingredient in many cultures around the world due to its rich flavor and versatility in cooking. I find it at Costco and have also seen it at Trader Joe's and Aldi. Your local butcher is also a great option.
What Does it Taste Like?
Pork belly has a rich, meaty flavor that is enhanced by the fat content in the meat. It is known for its tender, juicy texture and can be quite flavorful when cooked properly.
When cooked crispy, it has a slightly sweet and savory taste with a crunchy texture. When braised, it can have a more tender and melt-in-your-mouth texture with a slightly sweet, savory, and tangy taste.
Spices and Seasoning
I love to use my Homemade Taco Seasoning recipe because you have direct control of the spices you add, along with the amount of salt. A lot of the pre-packaged store-bought seasoning packs have a lot of sodium. Feel free to use your favorite store-bought package if you wish.
The homemade blend is made with:
- Chili powder: Rich, smoky flavor
- Cumin: Warm, earthy flavor
- Smoked Paprika: Adds a touch of sweetness and color
- Garlic powder: Savory flavor
- Onion powder: Sweet and slightly tangy flavor
- Salt and Pepper: Enhances the overall flavor of the seasoning
What Type of Tortillas to Use
Corn or flour tortillas will work great. Here are some options:
- Corn tortillas: These are the traditional and most commonly used tortillas for tacos in Mexico. They are made from masa harina (a type of corn flour) and are usually smaller in size than flour tortillas. They have a slightly nutty and sweet flavor and a slightly chewy texture. They are also gluten-free.
- Flour tortillas: These are a popular option in the US, and are made from wheat flour, water, and fat (such as lard or vegetable shortening). Flour tortillas are softer than corn tortillas, making them easier to fold and hold together. They have a neutral flavor.
- Whole wheat tortillas: These are a healthier alternative to traditional flour tortillas, as they are made with whole wheat flour instead of refined flour. They have a nuttier flavor and a denser texture than regular flour tortillas.
Seared Tortillas
I like to sear my tortillas in a cast iron skillet, usually a grill pan. This is optional but adds flavor. Warm tortillas are wonderful for tacos. Heat a skillet to high heat and add your tortillas. I sear one side.
How to Make Pork Belly Tacos
- Sprinkle taco seasoning over the pork belly and rub the spices into the meat.
- Heat a skillet on medium-high heat.
- Add the olive oil and pork belly. Sear.
- Remove the pork belly and load the pork belly onto tortillas with the toppings.
Toppings and Substitution Ideas
I love to serve them with my Mango Pineapple Salsa and Southwest Salad Dressing recipe. Here are other toppings:
- Avocado
- Salsa
- Tomatoes
- Shredded lettuce
- Shredded Cheese
- Onions
- Fresh Lime
- Jalapenos
How to Reheat
You want to avoid making it soggy or drying it out. Here are a few methods to try:
- Oven: Bake at 350 degrees until crisp and warm.
- Air Fryer: Air fry at 350 degrees until crisp and warm.
- Stovetop: Heat a skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add a small amount of oil to the pan. Once the pan is hot, add the pork belly. Sear until crisp and warm.
You can use the microwave, but it will soften the texture of the pork belly.
Pair With These Recipes
Tace Bell Creamy Jalapeno Sauce
Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice
Smoked Salsa Recipe
Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
Homemade Queso Cheese Dip
More Taco Recipes
Spicy Shrimp Tacos
Lobster Tacos
Instant Pot Chicken Tacos
Taco Bowls with Meat
More Pork Belly Recipes
Traeger Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends
Pork Belly Ramen
Pork Belly Tacos
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½-2 pounds pork belly Sliced into strips or evenly sized chunks.
- 1 teaspoom olive oil
Homemade Taco Seasoning (Feel free to use store bought seasoning if preferred)
- ½ tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper Optional for spicy
Tacos and Toppings
- tortillas
- pico de gallo
- fresh lime juice
- shredded red cabbage
- Creamy Southwest Sauce
Instructions
- Sprinkle the spices over the pork belly and rub the spices into the meat.
- Heat a skillet on medium-high heat.
- Add the olive oil and pork belly. Crispy pork belly will take some time to sear if you like it crisp. For soft pork belly you can sear each side for a few minutes. Once the pork belly has seared to your liking, remove it from the pan and set it aside.Be careful while cooking. Pork belly has a lot of fat and you want to avoid oil and grease popping onto you.
- Remove the pork belly and blot with paper towels for excess grease.
- Load the pork belly onto tortillas with the toppings.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Want to save this recipe for later?
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also get our free digital cookbook with 30-Minute One-Pot Recipes and weekly recipes and tips.
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