Our easy pork tenderloin tacos on the stove are delicious. Make spicy with Birria tacos Sauce or keep mild for an easy taco Tuesday meal. Sliced thin you can use a loin to feed a larger crowd too!
We are going to explain how to cook this, in strips, on the stove. It is actually quicker than making Instant Pot Birria Tacos where the meat is left in larger pieces and shredded when done.
You will want a small bowl to mix together a few seasonings for a dry rub because flavor is everything!! Then cooked to slightly crispy on the edges gives it great texture to wrap in your tortillas.
If you haven’t used a Smithfield Pork Tenderloin to make this favorite Mexican meal it is the most tender cut and soaks in the flavors you love making it spicy or mild depending on your family and their tastebuds.
Ingredient Notes
Just pick up a pork tenderloin at the store. You are going to slice it thin first so you can essentially marinate in the seasonings so it is really packed with yum.
You will want some good olive oil to coat the meat, keep it tender and allow the seasonings to really adhere too.
Seasonings to coat the outside like a dry rub are; Chili powder more or less depending on the heat level desired, Cumin isn’t only for Indian dishes, Paprika will give it a little pop of color and deep flavor and Garlic powder or onion powder.
Spicy (option)
If you want them spicy with a great sauce, follow the link at the top of this post to make that first, separately. To keep mild I would go with a creamier white sauce. You can really mix and match as far as that goes, making a few varieties with just different spices on the protein. Same goes with Lengue Tacos.
How Long to Cook Pork Tenderloin Tacos (on stove)
That depends on what cut you have and how you’re cooking it. Left whole, loin and shoulder take a good hour in a pressure cooker or longer in the oven to shred. For faster cooking time, slice like we did here and cook on the stove in a skillet for just a few minutes on each side!
Pork Tenderloin Tacos Recipe
Equipment
- 1 pan
- 1 knife
- 1 cutting board
Ingredients
Toppings
- 8 small tortillas
- 1 c lettuce, shredded
- 1/2 c tomatoes, diced
- 1/4 c red onion, diced
- 1/2 lime, juiced
Instructions
- On a cutting board slice tenderloin thin with a sharp knife.
- In a bowl, combine the chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add pork slices into the bowl and toss the until evenly coated.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the slices and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side or until browned and cooked through. Remove the pork from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes.
- Warm the tortillas if desired. To assemble the tacos, place a few slices of pork onto each tortilla. Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro. Serve the tacos with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the top.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Serve
Lettuce shredded into small pieces will give it crunch. Chopped cilantro is optional but expected for Mexican pork dishes. Red onion is a nice touch of color, diced fine. I like Rotel tacos with a regular can of that vs. mild. 1/2 lime juiced will bring out more of the flavors
FAQ
No, the opposite. Tenderloin cut comes from a muscle along the backbone that does very little work, resulting in a lean and tender cut with a mild flavor. It has a fine grain and little connective tissue, which contributes to its naturally softer texture.
Of course, I love a great “free meal” if dinner from the night before wasn’t finished. We do this all the time. I hate wasting food and especially meat so if it is already cooked, but plain, I would dice into bite size pieces. Then toss with the dry rub seasonings to coat. Throw into a preheated air fryer at 400F. for 2 minutes to warm to get light crispy pork pieces, then serve.
What to serve with
Then you would want to warm air fryer flour tortillas or in the microwave and fill with all of your favorite go tos like cheese, tomatoes and lettuce etc. Only prepare those that are going to be eaten then and there as leftovers save better when left separate from one another.
Pico de Gallo offers fresh tomato, onion, and cilantro mix that adds brightness and crunch. Corn salsa adds more veggies into the mix. Salsa Verde this is how to cook tomatillos to make this with cilantro, and jalapeños. Pineapple or Mango Salsa adds a sweet and tangy contrast that pairs well with the savory pork.
- Diced Onions, raw white or red onions add a sharp, crunchy element.
- Cilantro leaves add a burst of flavor and freshness.
- Shredded Lettuce or cabbage salad adds crunch and a bit of lightness to the tacos.
- Radishes thinly sliced add a crisp, peppery bite.
- Guacamole or Sliced Avocado adds creaminess and richness.
- Sour Cream or Mexican Crema provides a cool, tangy element that balances out spiciness.
- A squeeze of fresh lime juice brightens the flavors and adds acidity to balance the pork.
