How many calories are in 2 carnitas street tacos?

October 24, 2025 •

4 min read

Carnitas street tacos are a popular and flavorful Mexican dish, but their calorie count can vary significantly depending on the preparation. An average serving of two street-style carnitas tacos can contain anywhere from 300 to over 500 calories, influenced by factors like the amount of pork, the use of double tortillas, and added toppings.

Quick Summary

The calorie count for two carnitas street tacos is not fixed, but a typical serving can range from approximately 300 to over 500 calories. This depends largely on the cooking method for the pork, the type and number of tortillas used, and the additional toppings. Understanding the components allows for a more accurate estimate of the total nutritional intake.

Key Points

Variable Calorie Count: A serving of two carnitas street tacos can range from approximately 300 to over 500 calories, influenced by preparation methods and toppings.
Carnitas Preparation is Key: The calorie content is most significantly impacted by how the pork is cooked; traditionally braised in lard is higher in fat and calories than leaner cooking methods.
Tortillas Add Calories: Using a double layer of tortillas, a common practice for street tacos, increases the carbohydrate and calorie count compared to a single tortilla.
Toppings Can Spike Calories: While basic toppings like onion and cilantro are low in calories, adding items like sour cream, cheese, and guacamole increases the total significantly.
Control Your Portion: Be mindful that what may appear as a small meal in street taco form can add up quickly, especially with larger restaurant portions or multiple servings.
Healthier Options Available: You can reduce the calories by choosing single, corn tortillas, opting for leaner cuts of pork, and loading up on fresh vegetables instead of high-fat toppings.

Breaking Down the Calorie Count in Carnitas Street Tacos

When you're counting calories, it can be frustrating when a seemingly simple dish has a wide range of nutritional values. A key example is the carnitas street taco. The delicious, slow-cooked, and often deep-fried pork carnitas can have a high fat content, and combined with other elements like tortillas and toppings, the calories can add up quickly. A standardized estimate for a serving of two tacos might hover around the 300-350 calorie mark, but this is a very conservative number based on simplified recipes. Street food vendors and restaurant preparations often use different methods and ingredient quantities, making the final tally much higher.

The Major Calorie Contributors

Carnitas (The Pork): The preparation of the pork is the single biggest factor. Traditional carnitas are made by braising pork in its own fat (lard) for hours, resulting in tender, juicy, and flavorful meat. The cooking method and subsequent crisping process significantly increase the fat and calorie content compared to leaner, baked or grilled pork. A typical serving of pork shoulder for two tacos can contribute over 300 calories by itself.
Tortillas: The standard street taco often features two small corn tortillas per taco. This provides a structural base and a notable carb boost. While corn tortillas are generally lower in calories than their flour counterparts, the use of two per taco effectively doubles the tortilla-related calories. For example, three street-taco-sized white corn tortillas have about 90 calories, meaning two tacos with double tortillas would contribute 120 calories from tortillas alone. Some restaurants may even use oil to lightly fry the tortillas, adding further calories.
Toppings: The beauty of a carnitas street taco often lies in its simple, fresh toppings: a sprinkle of diced onion and fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. These additions are negligible in calories. However, add-ons like sour cream, avocado, cheese, or different sauces can dramatically increase the total. For instance, a single tablespoon of sour cream can add 20-30 calories, while a generous portion of avocado can add 50-80 calories or more.

How Cooking and Portions Affect the Final Number

While a store-bought, pre-packaged version of two carnitas street tacos might list a total of 310 calories, this is an idealized figure. A restaurant or street vendor's portion is likely to be much more substantial. Consider the difference in pork quantity and the amount of fat used in preparation. A home-cooked version, where you can control the fat content and lean cuts of meat, will almost always be lower in calories than a restaurant version. For a more detailed breakdown, consider the different preparation methods.

A Comparison: Homemade vs. Restaurant Carnitas Tacos


Feature	Homemade Carnitas Tacos (per 2 tacos)	Restaurant/Street Vendor Carnitas Tacos (per 2 tacos)
Pork Preparation	Often uses leaner cuts like pork tenderloin; minimal added fat.	Traditionally braised in lard for maximum flavor and tenderness.
Tortillas	Can opt for single, non-fried corn tortillas to reduce carbs.	Often double-stacked and potentially lightly fried, increasing calories.
Toppings	Controlled portions of fresh, low-calorie ingredients.	Potentially generous portions of calorie-dense toppings like sour cream, cheese, and guacamole.
Estimated Calories	~300-400 calories	~450-800+ calories

Tips for Reducing Calories in Your Carnitas Tacos

If you love carnitas but want to be mindful of your calorie intake, there are several simple adjustments you can make:

Opt for single tortillas. Many street vendors and restaurants serve tacos with two corn tortillas. Politely ask for just one. This small change can save you 60-70 calories.
Go grilled, not fried. If you are making them at home or at a restaurant where you can choose, ask for your protein to be grilled rather than fried in oil.
Pile on the veggies. Load up on fresh, low-calorie toppings like lettuce, diced tomatoes, pico de gallo, and salsa instead of high-fat sour cream or cheese.
Use lean protein. When cooking at home, choose a leaner cut of pork and drain excess fat after braising and before crisping. This can significantly reduce the overall calorie and fat content.
Mind the portion size. Street tacos are, by nature, smaller. While this is great for portion control, it's easy to lose track. A typical serving might be 3-4 tacos. Be mindful of how many you are eating.

Conclusion: The Final Calorie Takeaway

In summary, the calorie count for two carnitas street tacos is not a fixed number and is highly dependent on the preparation. A conservative estimate for a simple, standardized version is around 300-350 calories, but a typical, generous restaurant serving could easily push that number over 500. The primary drivers are the cooking method of the pork and the type and number of tortillas used. By being aware of these variables and making simple substitutions, it's possible to enjoy this flavorful meal while keeping your calorie goals in check. For additional nutritional information on various foods, reliable sources like the USDA provide extensive databases.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary factor is the preparation of the pork carnitas. Traditional methods involve braising in lard, which is high in fat and calories. Using leaner cuts and healthier cooking methods dramatically lowers the calorie count.

Yes, using double corn tortillas, which is common for street tacos, approximately doubles the calories contributed by the tortillas alone. Many street-style corn tortillas contain about 30 calories each, so two per taco adds about 120 calories for a two-taco serving.

A homemade carnitas street taco can have a lower calorie count compared to a restaurant version, especially if you use leaner pork cuts and limit added fat. A serving of two can easily fall within the 300-400 calorie range with careful preparation.

The lowest-calorie toppings are fresh ingredients like diced white onion, cilantro, fresh salsa, and a squeeze of lime juice. These add flavor without significantly increasing the calorie count.

Traditional carnitas are high in fat due to the cooking process, but they don't have to be. You can make a lower-fat version by trimming excess fat from the pork and using a leaner cut like pork tenderloin, or cooking it in broth instead of lard.

Street tacos are often smaller than regular restaurant tacos, which can mean fewer calories if portions are controlled. However, restaurant tacos can also be significantly higher in calories due to larger sizes and the addition of calorie-dense ingredients like cheese, sour cream, and heavy sauces.

Yes, you can include carnitas street tacos in a weight loss diet. The key is portion control and making smart choices. Stick to one tortilla per taco, limit high-fat toppings, and opt for leaner preparations if possible.