For more mouth-watering pork belly recipes, try our irresistible pork belly slices and pork belly sandwich! It gets baked until it’s browned and crispy, then we layer it on a warm tortilla with cabbage, cilantro, and our creamy and tangy taco sauce. You could easily swap the taco sauce for our easy guacamole, chipotle aioli, or better yet, a combination because we all know sauce makes everything better. Mow down on a pork belly taco with one hand, and grab a margarita with the other. They’re an easy yet super satisfying dinner for a couple or a crowd, and they’re perfect for celebrating Cinco de Mayo, too! We’ve kept it really simple with the ingredients in this pork belly taco recipe. Here’s everything you need for the pork belly:
Pork belly – pork belly is a fatty cut that’s full of flavor, and finding it is easier than you might think. Look for it at your local butcher or grocery store. Taco seasoning – we always have some of our homemade taco seasoning on hand, so that’s what we use. But you can use a store-bought blend instead if you’d like. Brown sugar – brown sugar offers sweetness and flavor. Sea salt – salt enhances all the delicious flavors.
Here’s what you need for the tacos:
Tortillas – use your favorite small flour tortillas or corn tortillas. Cabbage – thinly sliced red or green cabbage slaw adds wonderful texture and crunch. Taco sauce, limes, and fresh cilantro – we drizzle these tacos with our easy and delicious homemade taco sauce and serve them with some lime wedges and minced cilantro. If you like a little more heat, add some sliced jalapenos!
Pork belly taco recipe variations
While these babies are crave-worthy just as they are, here are some easy ways to mix up the flavors:
Korean pork belly tacos: Change up the seasoning and use gochujang paste for a smoky, slightly sweet, spicier flavor. Citrus kick: Add some lemon or lime zest to brighten things up. Lower carb: Use lettuce leaves to wrap up the goods for a lower carb, lettuce wrap version. Topping variations: Add some pickled red onions, sliced avocado or guacamole, or corn salsa to change up the flavor. Sauce swap: Change up the sauce! Add some vibrant chimichurri, or some creamy avocado sauce.
Can I use bacon instead?
We wouldn’t recommend it for this recipe because it tastes quite different, and will change the overall texture and flavor of the tacos.
Can I use leftover pork belly?
Yes! If you have leftover pork belly, you can absolutely use it. Season it and warm it in the oven for about 10 minutes until heated through. You can make these pork belly tacos your own by adding toppings you love like pickled red onions, sliced jalapeños, avocado, salsa, cotija cheese, or your favorite hot sauce.
They are a lighter meal on their own but they pair wonderfully with other Mexican foods if you’re serving a crowd.
Mexican sides that taste great with tacos
Spicy Mexican Rice Mexican Cucumber Salad Chili Lime Grilled Corn on the Cob
Did you make this?
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