Zesty Hillbilly Tacos Recipe: A Fun Southern Twist on Taco Night

Tacos with a rustic twist burst onto the hillbilly tacos recipe scene, bringing bold flavors and down-home charm to your dinner table.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated hearty, no-fuss meals that pack serious punch.

These delectable handhelds blend traditional taco ingredients with unexpected country flair.

Each bite tells a story of rural culinary creativity and bold seasoning.

Robust spices mingle with tender meat, creating a mouthwatering experience that breaks free from standard taco expectations.

Simple ingredients transform into something extraordinary when prepared with passion and a dash of regional spirit.

You’ll want to gather your crew and savor every delicious moment of this crowd-pleasing feast.

Hillbilly Tacos: Down-Home Flavor, Every Taco Night

• Hillbilly Tacos combine sweet Dr. Pepper-infused pulled pork with tangy coleslaw, creating an unexpected and mouthwatering flavor explosion that takes traditional tacos to a whole new level.
• This recipe transforms a simple pork shoulder into tender, juicy pulled pork with minimal effort, making it perfect for home cooks who want restaurant-quality results without complicated techniques.
• Easily adjust the BBQ sauce and coleslaw to match your taste preferences, making these tacos a versatile meal that can be personalized for different palates and dietary needs.
• Perfect for gatherings, potlucks, and casual family dinners, these tacos offer a fun, interactive meal that lets everyone build their own perfect bite with minimal prep work.

Classic Ingredients For Hearty Hillbilly Tacos

• Pork Shoulder: A tender cut of meat perfect for slow cooking and creating juicy pulled pork.

• Pork Rub: A flavorful blend that enhances the meat's taste and creates a delicious crust.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Classic seasonings that add basic flavor and depth to the meat.

• Dr. Pepper: A sweet soda that helps tenderize and add a unique flavor to the pulled pork.
• Liquid Smoke: Provides a smoky essence that mimics traditional barbecue cooking methods.

• Coleslaw Mix: A pre-shredded combination of cabbage that serves as the primary salad ingredient.

• White Sugar, Mayonnaise, Buttermilk, Milk: Create a creamy and balanced dressing base.
• Dijon Mustard, Apple Cider Vinegar, Lemon Juice: Add tanginess and brightness to the coleslaw.
• Grated Onion: Provides a subtle, sharp flavor to the dressing.

• Tortillas: The foundation for creating the Hillbilly Tacos.
• BBQ Sauce: A final touch that adds additional flavor and moisture to the tacos.

Taco Tools For Easy, Flavorful Assembly

• Slow Cooker: Essential for tender, juicy pulled pork with minimal effort.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining coleslaw ingredients and mixing thoroughly.
• Smaller Bowl: Ideal for whisking together coleslaw dressing.
• Two Forks or Shredding Claws: Key tools for breaking down and shredding cooked pork.
• Dry Skillet: Useful for warming or charring tortillas to enhance flavor.
• Whisk: Helps blend coleslaw dressing ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensure accurate ingredient measurements.

Building Hillbilly Tacos For Ultimate Satisfaction

Step 1: Prepare Succulent Pulled Pork

Thoroughly wash the pork shoulder and gently pat it dry with paper towels.

Rub the seasoning mixture all over the meat, making sure every surface gets a generous coating.

Sprinkle with additional salt and pepper if desired.

Place the seasoned pork into the slow cooker.

Pour Dr.

Pepper around the meat and add liquid smoke along the sides.

Set the slow cooker to low and let it cook for 8-10 hours until the meat becomes incredibly tender.

After cooking, carefully remove the pork and discard the cooking liquid (optional: save a small amount to keep meat moist).

Extract the bone and shred the meat using two forks or meat shredding claws.

While shredding, remove any visible fat pieces.

Step 2: Create Creamy Coleslaw

Combine coleslaw mix in a large mixing bowl.

• White sugar
• Milk
• Mayonnaise
• Buttermilk
• Dijon mustard
• Apple cider vinegar
• Lemon juice
• Grated onion
• Salt
• Black pepper

Pour the whisked dressing over the coleslaw mix and stir thoroughly.

Allow the coleslaw to marinate for one hour if possible.

Give it a final stir before serving.

Step 3: Assemble Hillbilly Tacos

Heat tortillas in a dry skillet until warm or slightly charred.

Layer pulled pork onto the tortillas.

Top generously with prepared coleslaw.

Finish by drizzling BBQ sauce over the tacos according to personal preference.

Tips For Crunchy Shells And Savory Fillings

• Massage the pork rub thoroughly into every surface of the shoulder to ensure deep, rich seasoning that penetrates the meat completely.
• Choose a low, slow cooking method with Dr. Pepper to break down tough muscle fibers, resulting in melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork that shreds effortlessly.
• Let the coleslaw mixture rest for an hour before serving to allow flavors to meld and develop a more complex, balanced taste profile.
• Quickly warm or char tortillas in a dry skillet to enhance their texture and bring out a subtle, toasty flavor that complements the pulled pork.

Fresh Takes On Hillbilly Taco Fillings

• Vegetarian Taco Swap
• Spicy Southwest Edition: Add diced jalapeños to coleslaw, swap BBQ sauce for chipotle sauce, and incorporate pepper jack cheese for extra heat and zesty kick.
• Low-Carb Lettuce Wrap Version: Substitute tortillas with large butter lettuce leaves, keeping pulled pork and coleslaw filling intact for a lighter, carbohydrate-reduced meal option.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use certified gluten-free corn tortillas, verify BBQ sauce is gluten-free, and ensure all ingredients meet gluten-free standards for sensitive dietary needs.

Plating Ideas For Taco Night Fun

• Party Platter Perfection: Create a taco bar with all ingredients laid out, letting guests build their own Hillbilly Tacos with customized toppings.
• Picnic Perfect Pairing: Serve these tacos alongside crispy potato wedges, pickled jalapeños, and cold beer for a classic Southern-style meal experience.
• Leftover Magic: Transform remaining pulled pork into next-day sandwiches, nachos, or stuffed into baked potatoes for continued deliciousness.
• Family-Style Feast: Arrange shredded pork, coleslaw, tortillas, and BBQ sauce on a large platter, encouraging everyone to dig in and enjoy together.

Taco Storage Tips For The Next Day

• Store pulled pork and coleslaw separately in sealed containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep BBQ sauce in a separate container to prevent soggy tortillas.
• Wrap shredded pork tightly in freezer-safe bags or containers. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label with date for easy tracking.
• Place pulled pork in a microwave-safe dish. Add a splash of Dr. Pepper or broth to prevent dryness. Cover and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until heated through.

FAQs

• Why use Dr. Pepper in the pulled pork recipe?

Dr. Pepper adds a unique sweetness and helps tenderize the meat, creating a rich, deep flavor that enhances the overall taste of the pulled pork.

• Can I make the coleslaw ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the coleslaw up to a day in advance. In fact, letting it sit for an hour or overnight allows the flavors to meld together, making it even more delicious.

• What type of tortillas work best for these tacos?

Soft flour tortillas are ideal, but corn tortillas can also work well. The key is to warm or slightly char them in a dry skillet to bring out their best flavor and texture.

Hillbilly Tacos Recipe

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4.8 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 10 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Hillbilly tacos bring southern comfort to classic Mexican street cuisine with a rustic twist. Hearty ingredients and bold flavors combine for a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 4–6 pounds pork shoulder roast
• 1/4 cup store bought or homemade pork rub
• 12 ounces (355 milliliters) Dr Pepper (Coca Cola or root beer work too)
• 1 tablespoon hickory liquid smoke

Coleslaw Ingredients:

• 2 (14 ounce/397 grams) bags coleslaw mix
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard or yellow mustard
• 1 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons freshly grated onion (or 1/2 teaspoon onion powder)

Seasoning and Serving Ingredients:

• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Corn or flour tortillas (enough for serving; you may need more for doubling up if using corn tortillas)
• 1 bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce

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Instructions

1. Prepare the pulled pork by rinsing the pork shoulder and patting it dry. Thoroughly coat the meat with pork rub, ensuring complete coverage. Enhance with salt and pepper if desired. Transfer to a slow cooker and pour Dr. Pepper around the meat. Add liquid smoke evenly. Cook on low for 8-10 hours until meat becomes incredibly tender.
2. Once cooking is complete, carefully remove the pork from the slow cooker. Discard cooking liquid, reserving a small amount if needed for moisture. Extract the bone and meticulously shred the meat using two forks or specialized shredding tools. Trim away excess fat during the shredding process.
3. Create the coleslaw by combining coleslaw mix in a large mixing bowl. In a separate container, whisk together sugar, milk, mayonnaise, buttermilk, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, grated onion, salt, and pepper until smooth and well integrated.
4. Pour the prepared dressing over the coleslaw mix, stirring thoroughly to ensure complete coating. Allow the mixture to marinate for approximately one hour to develop optimal flavor. Gently stir before serving.
5. Assemble the tacos by warming tortillas in a dry skillet until slightly charred or heated through. Layer the shredded pulled pork onto the tortillas. Top generously with the prepared coleslaw. Finish by drizzling BBQ sauce according to personal preference.

Notes

• Meat Selection Choose a well-marbled pork shoulder for maximum tenderness and flavor, which helps prevent dry meat after slow cooking.
• Liquid Enhancement Dr. Pepper adds subtle sweetness and helps tenderize the meat, creating a unique depth of flavor that distinguishes these tacos from traditional recipes.
• Spice Customization Adjust the pork rub by adding smoked paprika or chili powder for extra heat, or reduce spiciness for sensitive palates by using milder seasonings.
• Low-Carb Adaptation Swap tortillas with large lettuce leaves for a keto-friendly version that maintains the delicious pulled pork and coleslaw combination.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg