Smoky Pork Tinga Tacos with Avocado and Fresh Cheese
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Mr. Bayless, you have done it again: taken a short list of ingredients, combined it with an easy preparation method, and come up with a delicious meal.
I am constantly on the lookout for slowcooker recipes that don’t use processed ingredients and/or look and sound…mushy. There are several slowcooker recipes in Everyday Mexican, which is rare for a cookbook (or, at least, cookbooks I own). This pork tinga caught my eye because I already had pork shoulder in the freezer, and the rest of the ingredients are pantry staples for me. We were definitely not disappointed. The tinga turned out smoky with a little spice, and the potatoes in the taco were something different (and good) for me. As a testament to how well-liked Rick Bayless recipes are, my 10-month old very much enjoyed his (deconstructed) taco. It was his first taste of goat cheese and chipotles, two of mom’s favorite things, and thankfully, he enjoyed them.
We had goat cheese with these since it was in the fridge and queso fresco was not. The only changes I made to this recipe were to double the oregano and not remove the seeds from the chipotles, because we like the spice (noted below). I used two (15 oz.) fire-roasted diced tomato cans so I guess technically I upped the amount of that a bit. I didn’t have chorizo, so we didn’t add that (obviously) but I’ll be sure to next time because it will no doubt make these tacos even better. I almost always heat tortillas directly over my gas flame, a few seconds per side, but if you prefer you can brush or spray them with oil, stack them in twos, and bake in a 350 degree oven for 3 or 4 minutes—just until they’re pliable.
The prep for this recipe couldn’t get much easier, but I did still do most of it the night before so that the morning I made this, I just had to combine everything in the crockpot and it took me literally less than 2 minutes. I cut the potatoes (and stored them in cold water), cut the pork, and combined the sauce ingredients except for the onion (which I did slice in advance, but stored separately). We came home to a fabulous smelling and delicious tasting dinner. Can’t beat that!
I have no doubt these tacos would be great with chicken and beef, too.
Smoky Pork Tinga Tacos
Adapted from Mexican Everyday by Rick Bayless
1 lb. redskin or Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into 1/2″ cubes
2 lbs. boneless pork shoulder, cut into 1″ pieces
1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes (preferably fire-roasted)
3-4 chipotles in adobo, sliced
1 Tbsp. adobo sauce
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp. dried oregano
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium white onion, sliced 1/4″ thick (optional)
For serving:
4 oz. fresh Mexican chorizo sausage (optional)
24 warm corn tortillas
1 cup crumbled Mexican queso fresco or other fresh cheese, such as feta or goat cheese
2 large avocados, diced
Spread the potatoes over the bottom of a slowcooker and top with the pork.
In a large bowl, mix the (undrained) tomatoes with the chipotles, adobo sauce, Worcestershire, oregano, garlic, onion, and about 1.5 tsp. salt. Pour the mixture evenly over the meat and potatoes.
Cover and slowcook on high for 6 hours or low for 10(ish).
When you’re ready to eat, fry the optional chorizo and then stir everything together, breaking the pork into smaller pieces. Taste and season with additional salt if necessary.
Serve with warm tortillas, cheese, and avocados for making soft tacos.
I love Rick and it’s just a testament to how much he understands the home cook that he includes slow cooker recipes and realizes that we don’t all have pits over which we can smoke things for hours on end. Sigh. I wish.
Tacos look fantastic! So glad the bay like goat cheese and chipotles! You might have to give him back if he didn’t 😛
I only discovered Rick Bayless recently (even though you’ve been talking about him for ages on your blog!). You do wonderful things with his recipes Elly…this sounds divine! I’ve never eaten a taco with potatoes…yum!
This is on my menu plan for next week! The only hard part will be finding boneless pork shoulder – they always seem to have huge pieces bone-in at my grocery store.
These look really, REALLY great. The flavor combinations sound outstanding to me. These are on my to-do list, for sure!
I am bookmarking this Elly-thanks for sharing the recipe 🙂
I have made Rick’s dish previously Elly so can say without a doubt that it is delicious!!!!
These look so great, Elly! I’ve just put them on the menu for next week since I have a pork roast in the freezer. Can’t wait to try them!
Rick Bayless is not yet known in Greece but this recipe sounds delicious. Pity a few ingredients are not easily found in Greece.
Elly, this looks divine and I have to make the easy comparison to souvlaki in a pita!
I love Rick Bayless, and I love my slow cooker, so naturally, I’m in love with the look/idea of this recipe! I’m not much of a pork eater, so I might take your suggestion and try this out with some lean beef. Thanks for the great recipe!
Made these tonight and they were a huge hit. Thanks for sharing this one, so delicious!
So glad you liked them, Ann!
Those tinga tacos would really hit the spot!
I’ve had this recipe copied for quite a while now, I think I may want to make it for sure now. Thanks!
Thank you for letting me know about your pork tag. This recipes looks devine! I am going to have to try this recipe.