One thing I love about taco freezer meal kits is that they can be so versatile!
Want vegetarian tacos? Pulled pork tacos? Shredded chicken tacos? Done, done, done. Just pack everything up in their separate bags or containers and store it in the freezer for a day when you have a taco hankering.
(And guess what!? We’re making these taco kits in the next Freezer Meal Prep Class- or you can assemble at home using a Freezer Meal Prep Pack! Click for details)
Why go to the trouble of making a freezer meal kit?
Putting together a freezer meal taco kit also frees you up to have a little fun on the night of. You can whip up a batch of salsa, or get creative with handmade tortillas. Since the rest of the work putting the taco packets has been done already, you’ve got the extra time!
It’s also handy to be able to make a freezer meal kit that covers all your bases, so if you’ve got someone at dinner who doesn’t eat meat, the vegetarian taco option is there if they need it.
A few words about the Instant Pot Pork Carnitas
I make these pork carnitas in the Instant Pot since doing so is usually much faster.
The pork cooks in about 30 minutes under high pressure, so coupled with the time it takes the Instant Pot to come to pressure and do a natural release, you’re looking at about 45 minutes to an hour of cook time.
Read: DIY Freezer Meal Kits Will Save Your Weeknight Dinner
If you don’t have an Instant Pot or you’re looking to make the pork carnitas in the slow cooker, then cook for about 4 hours on high and 6 on low, until the pork can be easily shredded.
Other substitutions you can add to your freezer meal taco kits:
It doesn’t have to be exactly what I have below. Play around with your freezer meal kits to adjust them to your favorite taco flavors!
- Roasted, cubed sweet potatoes
- Shredded chicken
- Grilled fish
- Grilled shrimp
- Shredded beef
Read: Here’s What You Need to Know About Batching Sheet Pan Meals for the Freezer
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There’s nothing quite like a full taco kit from the freezer and giving it a quick thaw before throwing together and easy dinner? Instant Pot pork carnitas take a fraction of the time that stovetop carnitas does, and quick pickling of red onions last surprisingly well in either the fridge or the freezer. They lose a bit of crispness but retain all their flavor.
Ingredients
Instant Pot Carnitas:
4 pound boneless pork shoulder or butt, cut into chunks
¼ cup lime juice
¼ cup orange juice
6 ounce light beer, such as pilsner
Quick Pickled Red Onion
1 red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon white sugar
½ teaspoon salt
For Vegetarian Black Bean and Corn Tacos:
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
½ cup corn kernels
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
For Pork Carnitas:
Instant Pot: Place all ingredients in Instant Pot and secure the lid. Cook on high pressure for 30 minutes, then do a quick pressure release. Shred the pork using two forks before serving.
For Crockpot: Place all ingredients in crockpot and secure lid. Cook on low for 5 hours or until pork easily shreds apart when pulled with a fork.
For Quick-Pickled Red Onion:
Whisk liquid ingredients together in a small bowl until the sugar and salt have dissolved. Pour over the top of the sliced onions and let sit for 1 hour. If freezing, remove onion slices from pickling mix before storing in its own container with a tight-fitting lid or ziploc bag.
For Vegetarian Black Bean and Corn Tacos:
Mix together. Freeze in individual containers up to 1 month with tight-fitting lid.
For Freezer Meal Kits: Pack together corn tortillas, pork carnitas and pickled red onion in individual bags. Store together and thaw in the fridge overnight before heating up the pork, or thaw under cold running water before serving.
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