How Many Calories Are in 2 Carnitas Tacos?

November 28, 2025 •

4 min read

According to nutrition data, two standard carnitas street tacos often contain anywhere from 300 to over 500 calories, a wide range that depends heavily on preparation methods and ingredients. This guide will help you understand how many calories are in 2 carnitas tacos by exploring the key factors that influence their nutritional profile.

Quick Summary

A serving of two carnitas tacos typically has 300-500+ calories, with the total influenced by the cut of pork, cooking fat, tortilla type, and toppings. This article details the variables affecting the calorie count and offers tips for making healthier choices.

Key Points

Calorie Range is Wide: The number of calories in two carnitas tacos can vary greatly, typically ranging from 300 to over 500 kcal, depending on preparation and toppings.
Fat Content Matters: The cut of pork (e.g., fatty shoulder vs. lean loin) and the cooking method (braised in lard vs. slow-cooked in juices) are major determinants of the final calorie count.
Toppings Add Up: Creamy sauces, cheese, and large portions of guacamole significantly increase the total calories, so controlling these additions is crucial for a healthier meal.
Tortilla Type and Prep: Corn tortillas generally contain fewer calories than flour tortillas, and frying them adds extra fat and calories.
Customize for Health: You can easily reduce the calorie count by choosing leaner meat, using less oil, and loading up on fresh, low-calorie vegetables and salsas instead of rich, creamy toppings.
Portion Size is Key: Restaurant versions often have larger portions and more toppings, so being mindful of portion size, especially when dining out, is important.

Factors Influencing Carnitas Taco Calories

Understanding the variables that affect the calorie count is key for anyone watching their intake. A restaurant's two carnitas tacos can differ greatly from a homemade version. Here is a breakdown of the primary culprits behind calorie fluctuations:

The Cut of Pork

The most traditional method for carnitas involves slow-braising a pork shoulder, a cut known for its higher fat content. The fat is what gives carnitas its signature rich flavor and tenderness. While some of the fat renders and is discarded, a significant amount remains, contributing to the final calorie count. Using a leaner cut of pork, like pork loin, is a less traditional but effective method for reducing the fat and calorie content.

Cooking Method and Fat

Authentic carnitas are cooked in lard, which is pure animal fat. While this results in incredibly flavorful meat, it also adds a considerable amount of calories. Some modern recipes use vegetable oil or other fats, while a healthier approach involves slow-cooking the pork in its own juices and just a minimal amount of added fat. The way the meat is crisped, either by deep-frying in fat or pan-frying with less oil, also plays a major role.

Tortilla Type

Your choice of tortilla is a crucial variable. Corn tortillas are generally lower in calories than flour tortillas, especially when comparing standard sizes. Furthermore, if the tortillas are fried to a crispy shell rather than served soft and warm, the extra oil absorbed will increase the calorie count.

Toppings and Garnishes

What you put on your taco can add calories quickly. Common toppings include:

Cheese: Sour cream, and shredded cheese can substantially increase the fat and calorie count.
Crema and Sour Cream: A creamy and delicious garnish, but also calorie-dense.
Guacamole and Avocado: A healthy fat, but still high in calories. Portion control is essential.
Salsas: While vegetable-based salsas are low-calorie, creamy avocado or cheese-based salsas are not.

Portion Size

Restaurant tacos can vary dramatically in size and filling. A generous portion of meat and toppings in a large, handmade tortilla will have more calories than a smaller, more spartan version from a street vendor. Paying attention to the portion size is just as important as the ingredients themselves.

How to Estimate Your Carnitas Taco Calories

Given the wide range of factors, a precise calorie count for a specific plate of carnitas tacos is difficult without detailed information. Here is a general guideline to help you estimate:

Basic Street Tacos (minimal toppings): 150-200 calories per taco. This assumes a standard corn tortilla, a moderate portion of carnitas, and simple garnishes like onions and cilantro.
Standard Restaurant Tacos (with cheese/cream): 200-260+ calories per taco. These will likely have larger portions and more decadent toppings, significantly increasing the calorie count.
Homemade Carnitas (lean cut): Can be as low as 120-150 calories per taco if you use a leaner cut of pork and control the fat during cooking.

Sample Comparison Table for 2 Carnitas Tacos

To illustrate the calorie differences, consider this comparison table for two servings of carnitas tacos with varying ingredients. All examples assume two tacos.


Ingredient Variation	Calorie Estimate	Notes
Street Tacos (Standard)	300-400 kcal	Made with pork shoulder, corn tortillas, onion, cilantro.
Restaurant Tacos (Loaded)	500-650+ kcal	Larger portions, adds sour cream, cheese, and guacamole.
Health-Conscious Homemade	250-350 kcal	Uses a lean pork cut, minimal cooking fat, and corn tortillas.
Fried Tortilla Tacos	450-600+ kcal	Same as standard, but with crispy, fried corn tortillas.

Making Healthier Carnitas Tacos

Craving carnitas but want to keep it healthy? Here are some simple adjustments to help reduce the calorie and fat content without sacrificing flavor:

Choose a Leaner Cut: Opt for pork loin or tenderloin instead of pork shoulder. It will still taste great but with significantly less fat.
Cook Smartly: Slow-cook the pork with less added fat, or trim any excess fat from the meat before cooking. You can achieve a crispy texture by pan-frying with minimal oil after braising.
Control the Toppings: Measure out high-calorie toppings like cheese and sour cream. Use Greek yogurt as a lower-fat, higher-protein substitute for sour cream.
Pile on the Veggies: Load up on fresh, low-calorie ingredients like shredded lettuce, diced onions, cilantro, and tomato salsa. These add volume, texture, and nutrients.
Watch the Tortillas: Stick with plain, soft corn tortillas over flour tortillas or fried shells.

Conclusion

In short, there is no single answer for how many calories are in 2 carnitas tacos. The total can vary widely, from around 300 calories for a light version to over 600 for a restaurant-style serving loaded with toppings. By understanding the key factors—the cut of meat, cooking method, and type of toppings—you can make informed choices to enjoy this classic Mexican dish while staying on track with your nutritional goals. Making simple substitutions and controlling portion sizes are the most effective ways to lower the calorie count without compromising on flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Carnitas tacos can be part of a healthy diet, but their nutritional value varies. A healthier version uses lean pork, soft corn tortillas, and is topped with vegetables and salsa. Less healthy versions often contain higher-fat meat, are cooked in large amounts of oil, and piled with rich, calorie-dense toppings.

To reduce calories, use a leaner cut of pork like loin, slow-cook with minimal added fat, and choose soft corn tortillas. For toppings, opt for fresh ingredients like pico de gallo, cilantro, and onions instead of cheese and sour cream.

Generally, yes. Street tacos are often simpler, using smaller corn tortillas and minimal toppings like onion and cilantro. Restaurant tacos tend to have larger portions and more elaborate, high-calorie toppings like cheese, guacamole, and crema.

A standard corn tortilla is typically lower in calories than a standard flour tortilla. For example, a small corn tortilla can have about 50-60 calories, while a similar-sized flour tortilla might have 90-110 calories. Frying either adds extra calories from the oil.

The cooking method has a significant impact. Carnitas traditionally cooked and crisped in lard will be much higher in calories and fat than pork shoulder slow-cooked in a pot with minimal oil, then lightly pan-fried for texture.

Yes, but you need to be mindful of the tortillas. You can use low-carb tortillas, make a 'taco bowl' by serving the meat over lettuce or cauliflower rice, or simply eat the carnitas meat with toppings and skip the tortilla entirely.

The calorie count depends on the specific cut and cooking method. A leaner carnitas preparation can be comparable to ground beef, but a rich, traditional carnitas made from pork shoulder will likely be higher in fat and calories than a lean chicken breast taco.