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Pork Carnitas Tacos with Roasted Butternut Squash Puree

October 29, 2018 By Patricia 36 Comments

Pork Carnitas Tacos with Butternut Squash Puree is my new favorite dish for dinner. These tacos are tasty as can be and perfect for any fall meal. You’ll find they have great flavor, texture, and color, too. Enjoy these soon!

Pork Carnitas Tacos with Butternut Squash Puree is a fabulous dish. You'll love the color and flavors of Pork Carnitas Tacos with Butternut Squash Puree.

Welp. My husband did it again with these tacos. Seriously! I don’t know how the simplest of the simple ingredients could turn into such a delicious dish, but they did.

These Pork Carnitas Tacos with Butternut Squash Puree are a whole lot of delicious. The smooth and sweet and creamy puree goes hand-and-glove with the seasoned pork. I’ve got some family members I’m thinking of who don’t eat pork, and I can’t wait to try this same dish with beef.

Pork Carnitas Tacos with Butternut Squash Puree is a delightful fall dish. You'll love these Pork Carnitas Tacos with Butternut Squash Puree.

Pork tenderloin is always so easy to make. I know a lot of you might prefer to use a slow cooker or Instant Pot, but my husband is an oven kinda guy! His take on it is, if he’s home, he might as well use the oven.

If you like pork, try my Blackberry-Jalapeño Glazed Pork Tenderloin. It’s another super-easy dish to make, and it’s big on great flavors.

Perhaps you like your pork a little spicier? If so, try this (exceptionally easy to make) Sriracha-Roasted Pork with Sweet Potatoes. What a great main dish! 

Pork Carnitas Tacos with Butternut Squash Puree is a treat for a fall night. Pork Carnitas Tacos with Butternut Squash Puree is a dish you need to make soon!

But really, all said, it only took a little over 20 minutes to cook this tenderloin for these tacos. If tacos are your thing and you’re looking for a tasty vegetarian taco dish, you’ll love these Butternut Squash, Spinach, and Mushroom Tacos. 

My husband cooks dinner almost every night at our house. Hard to believe since I’m a food blogger, but it’s true! He’s definitely a meat and potatoes guy, and I feel like these carnitas tacos are a healthier take on that.

Pork Carnitas Tacos with Butternut Squash Puree are fabulous any night of the week for dinner. Make these Pork Carnitas Tacos with Butternut Squash Puree soon!

What’s not to love about that, right? Anytime roasted veggies are involved in my meal I’m a happy camper, so the butternut squash was right up my alley here, even if it was a little unexpected.

I wasn’t really paying any attention to what he was doing the night he made these tacos, so the butternut squash puree paired with pork surprised me a bit. Pleasantly surprised, I should say!

Pork Carnitas Tacos with Butternut Squash Puree are a delightful dinner option. Make Pork Carnitas Tacos with Butternut Squash Puree for your next dinner.

If you’re looking for a fabulous fall dish, get out your pans and make these Pork Carnitas Tacos with Roasted Butternut Squash Puree. You will be pleasantly surprised and happily satisfied!

Pork Carnitas Tacos with Butternut Squash Puree is a wonderful dish to serve at mealtime. These Pork Carnitas Tacos with Butternut Squash Puree are so tasty for dinner!

Patricia Conte/Grab a Plate

Serves Serves 4-6

Pork Carnitas Tacos with Roasted Butternut Squash Puree
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5 based on 3 review(s)

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Ingredients

  • 1 small butternut squash, ends removed and seeds scraped out, cubed
  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided
  • 1/4 cup olive oil, divided, plus one tablespoon
  • 1 (3-pound) pork tenderloin
  • 1/3 cup diced white onion
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 cups vegetable stock
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon chipotle powder or smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon ancho chile powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 ounces heavy cream
  • Mini tortillas
  • Cotija cheese for topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Toss the butternut squash in 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and season with 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper. Roast for about 30 minutes, or until soft and somewhat caramelized. Remove from the oven and set aside.
  2. Reduce the heat to 350 degrees F. Slice the tenderloin into three even pieces. Cut away any excess fat from the pork (usually around the outside on a tenderloin).
  3. Season the tenderloin with the remaining salt and black pepper. Add the remaining oil to a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. When hot add the tenderloin pieces. Brown the tenderloin 6-8 minutes on each side. Remove the pork from the Dutch oven and set aside.
  4. Turn the heat to medium. Add the onion and cook for four minutes or until it softens. Add the garlic and cook for 90 seconds or so. Add the stock to the pan, scrap up any brown pieces stuck to the bottom, and add the tomato paste, paprika, chile powder, and cumin.
  5. Add the pork pieces to the Dutch oven. Cover and place in the oven for about 20 minutes or until done. The FDA recommends you cook pork to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. as measured by a meat thermometer.
  6. Remove the pork from the Dutch oven and set aside. Place the Dutch oven with the cooking liquid on the stovetop over medium-high heat. Cook so the liquid reduces by about half.
  7. As the liquid is reducing, add the butternut squash to a blender with the heavy cream. Transfer about 4 ounces of the cooking liquid to the blender, too. Carefully blend until smooth.
  8. Use two forks to shred the pork. Add it to a skillet with a one tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Cook for 3-4 minutes just to give it a touch of crispiness. Return the shredded port to the cooking liquid. Toss to coat.
  9. One by one, prepare the tacos by adding a few tablespoons of the butternut squash puree down the center of each tortilla, add some shredded pork over it, then sprinkle the Cotija cheese over the top.
  10. Serve immediately.
7.8.1.2
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https://www.azgrabaplate.com/pork-carnitas-tacos-with-roasted-butternut-squash-puree/

Filed Under: Dinner, Recipes, uncategorized Tagged With: carnitas, carnitas tacos, dinner recipes, Pork, pork tenderloin, Tacos

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Comments

  1. Emily says

    October 30, 2018 at 8:27 am

    Happy Taco Tuesday!!! These pork and butternut squash carnitas look amazing.
    Reply
  2. Mimi says

    October 30, 2018 at 10:04 am

    Wow this recipe looks absolutely delicious! Such a yummy fall dish
    Reply
  3. Melanie Smith-Holmes says

    October 30, 2018 at 10:42 am

    I'm always looking to try new recipes and this sounds really yummy. Thanks so much for sharing :)
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  4. Marta Rivera Diaz says

    October 30, 2018 at 10:44 am

    I feel like these would also be amazing for breakfast! Throw some scrambled eggs in there?
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  5. Andrea says

    October 30, 2018 at 10:56 am

    OMG! This recipe is just perfect for the weekend! It looks so tasty and comforting! :)
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  6. Gemma says

    October 30, 2018 at 11:09 am

    I love the taste of pork with something a little sweet so I bet the sweetness of the squash pairs great with the carnitas.
    Reply
  7. Elizabeth says

    October 30, 2018 at 11:14 am

    Oh this looks like a dish we would certainly make and like.
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      February 12, 2019 at 5:19 pm

      Mmmm! They're a fave of mine!
      Reply
  8. Kaycee says

    October 30, 2018 at 3:15 pm

    Ohhh this looks so yummy!! I pinned this for later.
    Reply
  9. Leigh Suznovich says

    October 30, 2018 at 4:28 pm

    Oh wow, these are the perfect comforting fall tacos!! Pork and butternut squash is so good together.
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      February 12, 2019 at 5:19 pm

      Thanks very much Leigh!
      Reply
  10. Vanessa says

    October 30, 2018 at 5:48 pm

    Yummy! This sounds like a delicious and unique falvor combo! I don't use pork a lot for tacos but I'll probably have to change that ;)
    Reply
  11. Chelsea says

    October 31, 2018 at 9:34 am

    These really look amazing. I would have never thought to pair butternut squash with pork carnitas. I will definitely have to try this recipe this week.
    Reply
  12. Amanda Yorton says

    October 31, 2018 at 10:52 am

    Um, this sounds so good! I just got some butternut squash so I will be trying this recipe!
    Reply
  13. Becky @ Disney in your Day says

    October 31, 2018 at 11:11 am

    I never would have thought to put butternut squash on a taco but it actually sounds delicious! Everything in this recipe is stuff I like so I have a feeling I would enjoy it.
    Reply
  14. Cassie says

    October 31, 2018 at 12:01 pm

    Yumm! This sounds so good and perfect for fall - I love the winter veggies added :)
    Reply
  15. Denise Riehle says

    October 31, 2018 at 12:42 pm

    Whoa! Never thought of putting this on Butternut squash puree. You have inspired me to use my favorite squash a whole new way. Thank you!
    Reply
  16. Amanda Martin says

    October 31, 2018 at 1:43 pm

    This has me drooling! I'm so intrigued but the butternut squash puree
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      February 12, 2019 at 5:19 pm

      Thanks so much, Amanda!
      Reply
  17. Mariela Oviedo says

    October 31, 2018 at 2:10 pm

    That looks so yummy!!
    Reply
  18. Dwight Alleyne says

    October 31, 2018 at 2:11 pm

    This recipe looks really good!. I love pork and butternut squash!. It definitely looks like a healthy meal. Something I would feel comfortable preparing at the next pot luck
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      February 12, 2019 at 5:19 pm

      Thank you, Dwight! I hope you've had a chance to try this one!
      Reply
  19. Serena says

    October 31, 2018 at 7:18 pm

    This looks delish! And I love a good pork carnitas recipe! Can't wait to try it!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      February 12, 2019 at 5:18 pm

      Thank you, Serena! I hope you tried it and loved it!
      Reply
  20. Luci says

    October 31, 2018 at 9:40 pm

    Yummy, I love the combo of the carnitas and roasted squash.
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      February 12, 2019 at 5:18 pm

      Thanks a bunch, Luci!
      Reply
  21. Joan says

    November 1, 2018 at 12:18 am

    These look super yummy, I am on a diet and I keep looking at food and just cooking more I need to be strong.
    Reply
  22. Belle says

    November 1, 2018 at 3:52 am

    This looks soo yummy! Saving for sure to try it out. I’ll just sub the pork with something else. Thanks for sharing!
    Reply
  23. Julie Bonner says

    November 1, 2018 at 5:46 am

    I'm a huge carnitas fan but have never tried them with butternut squash. Can't wait to make this!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      February 12, 2019 at 5:17 pm

      Thanks so much, Julie! I hope you tried them and loved them!
      Reply
  24. Kasey Ma says

    November 1, 2018 at 7:13 am

    Ooh this looks super yummy, my boyfriend would love this! Kasey Ma thestylewright.com
    Reply
  25. Sarah says

    November 1, 2018 at 7:19 am

    This dish looks so amazing, the perfect twist for Fall!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      February 12, 2019 at 5:17 pm

      Thanks so much, Sarah!
      Reply
  26. jenna | the urben life says

    November 9, 2018 at 11:35 am

    Your food photography is so inspiring! Truly captivating and really makes the food pop. I would love to make these for my husband. I love butternut squash and he loves pork hahah
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      February 12, 2019 at 5:14 pm

      Thank you, Jenna! I hope you had a chance to try them!
      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Weekly Meal Plan for March 25-31 says:
    March 24, 2019 at 7:10 am
    […] Butternut Squash and Pork Carnitas Spanish Rice […]
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I'm Patricia

Welcome to Grab a Plate!

Growing up surrounded by my Italian family it was always, "grab a plate" whenever anyone came to visit. Food was always a celebration, even everyday meals, and I like it that way. I try to make each meal memorable with my recipes for mainly meatless, mostly healthy, and easy-to-make dishes (with sweet treats in between).

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