Hard Shell Pork Tacos
Crispy hard-shell tacos filled with seasoned pork mince and fresh toppings. Easy to make, full of flavour, and perfect for a simple family-style meal at home.
A great way to turn everyday mince into something a little different.
10 Mins. 15 Mins. 3-4
🛒 Ingredients:
-
- 500g pork mince
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp chilli powder (optional)
- ½ cup refried beans
- Salt & pepper
- 8–10 hard taco shells
Toppings
- Shredded lettuce
- Grated cheese
- Diced tomato
- Sour cream
- Salsa
Optional Shortcut
- A taco kit (shells, salsa, seasoning satchel) can be used instead of individual spices.
- Beef mince can also be used, though pork gives a slightly juicier and richer filling for hard-shell tacos.
👨🍳 Instructions:
- Brown the mince - Cook pork mince in a pan over medium-high heat until lightly browned.
- Build the flavour - Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened. Stir in paprika, cumin, chilli powder, and tomato paste. Cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Bind the filling - Mix in refried beans and stir until the mixture becomes rich and cohesive. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Warm the taco shells - Heat hard taco shells according to packet instructions.
- Assemble - Fill shells with pork mixture and top with lettuce, cheese, tomato, sour cream, and salsa.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions:
- Serve with Mexican rice or corn chips
- Great for a build-your-own taco night
- Add lime wedges and extra salsa on the side
For more ideas on taco fillings and flavour combinations, see our guide to making tacos at home or try our NZ Red Snapper Fish Tacos recipe.
✨ Pro Tip:
- Refried beans help bind the pork mixture, making it ideal for hard shells — less mess, more flavour.
- Pork collar mince works particularly well for tacos thanks to its extra flavour and juicier texture — and if you're wondering which versatile meats are worth keeping in your freezer, mince is right at the top of the list.
This recipe uses:
