Best Damn Pork Tacos

When it comes to taco night, pork tenderloin is an underrated but perfect choice for making mouthwatering tacos. It’s lean, cooks quickly, and has a mild flavor that absorbs spices like a dream. Best of all, you can make everything on the stovetop with minimal fuss.

In this recipe, pork is seasoned with a smoky, savory spice blend featuring cumin, chili powder, brown sugar, and garlic that gives each bite a rich depth of flavor. As the pork sears on the stovetop, it develops a golden crust, locking in the juiciness and creating the perfect base for fresh toppings.  Serve them up with a spoonful of pico de gallo and a sprinkle of cilantro (or any toppings of your choice), and you’ve got a taco that’s vibrant, fresh, and loaded with smoky goodness.

Ingredients & Equipment

These pork tacos are made from just a handful of simple ingredients.

First, you’re going to need pork tenderloin.  The pork will be seasoned with a blend of cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, brown sugar, salt and pepper before cooking.  We’re also going to add garlic, onion, lime juice, and lime zest.  We’ll get some really great flavor with this combination.

Other than that all you’ll need is olive oil for sautéeing the ingredients and tortillas to assemble the tacos.

This is a simple stovetop recipe, so you won’t need any special equipment to make it.  Just grab a large skillet, a mixing bowl, and a sharp knife and cutting board.

Preparation

This is a super easy recipe, great for kitchen amateurs and seasoned cooks alike.  It comes together in just a few simple steps.

Start by cutting the pork into small, bite-sized pieces. Then throw those pieces in a large mixing bowl with cumin, paprika, chili powder, brown sugar, salt and pepper.  Give everything a good mix to make sure that every piece of pork is completely coated with seasoning.

Let the pork sit with the seasonings for a few minutes and in the meantime, you can chop up the garlic and onion.  And that’s it – you’re ready to get cooking!

Cooking

Start by heating the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Then add the pork to the skillet in a single layer.  If it doesn’t all fit, you can cook it in batches.

Cook the pork for 2-3 minutes on each side, until it forms a golden crust.  Since it is cut in small pieces, it will not take too much time to cook through.  Try not to move the pieces around too much while they are cooking, as this can affect the browning process.

Once the pork is cooked, remove it from the pan and set it aside.  Then add the onion to the same skillet and sauté it for a few minutes, until translucent.  Add the garlic and continue to sauté for another minute or two.  As you are sautéeing, make sure to scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan.

Next add the cooked pork back to the pan with the garlic and onion.  Add the lime juice and zest.  Sauté all the ingredients over heat for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld and to ensure the pork is completely cooked through.

Now for the fun part – it’s time to assemble those tacos!

Toppings Galore!

In my opinion, the best part of taco night is the toppings!  This is a very versatile recipe, so the possibilities are really endless.  My favorite toppings for this dish are pico de gallo, chopped cilantro, sour cream, guacamole, and jalapeno slices.

Storage & Reheating

Leftover pork can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

To reheat it, you can either pop it in the microwave or rewarm it on the stovetop. If using the microwave, cover it with a damp paper towel to keep it from drying out, and heat for 1-2 minutes. For stovetop reheating, throw it back in a skillet with a small splash of water over medium heat, stirring until warmed through. Either method will work, just be careful not to overcook it.

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