Updated on September 15th, 2025
If you want a fun twist for St. Patrick’s Day, these Irish tacos are a great choice. The pork is slow-cooked in Guinness stout, which gives it a rich, deep flavor that pairs beautifully with fresh toppings. Once the pork is tender, it’s shredded and tucked into warm corn tortillas, then finished with queso fresco, crunchy cabbage, and a bright lime crema. Every bite balances hearty, savory meat with cool, fresh toppings, making this dish a real crowd-pleaser.
Why this recipe works
- Flavorful pork: Cooking the pork shoulder in Guinness stout creates a rich, malty taste you won’t get from any other liquid.
- Homemade spice rub: A mix of spices adds layers of smoky, warm flavor that soak into the meat as it cooks.
- Slow cooker ease: Letting the pork cook low and slow means you get fork-tender meat with very little effort.
- Bright, creamy topping: The lime crema cuts through the richness of the pork, adding freshness to every taco.
- Perfect balance: Soft tortillas, tender meat, creamy cheese, and crunchy cabbage give each taco a mix of textures.
Serving suggestions
- Classic taco style: Fill corn tortillas with the pork, cabbage, crema, and queso fresco for the perfect bite.
- Add heat: Top with sliced jalapeños, hot sauce, or a spicy salsa for an extra kick.
- Party platter: Set out all the toppings separately and let guests build their own tacos.
- Side dish pairings: Serve with Mexican rice, roasted potatoes, or even Guinness-battered onion rings for a fun nod to the holiday.
- Leftover twist: Use the shredded pork in quesadillas, burrito bowls, or even on nachos for another easy meal.
Irish Tacos Recipe
Enjoy Irish tacos for St. Patrick’s Day with slow-cooked flavor, creamy sauce, and fresh toppings for a dinner that’s easy and fun.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 Servings 1x
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Spice mix-
- 1 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Pork-
- 2 bottles Guinness stout
- 3lb bone-in pork shoulder
- 1 onion (thinly sliced)
- 5 garlic cloves (peeled)
Crema-
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 handful cilantro
- Zest and juice of 1 lime
For Serving-
- Corn tortillas (warmed)
- Queso fresco cheese
- Shredded cabbage
Instructions
- Combine all of the spice rub ingredients in a small bowl. Rub all over the pork shoulder and place the seasoned pork shoulder into the bottom of a slow cooker. Add onion and garlic. Add the bottles of Guinness. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
- Once the pork has finished cooking remove it from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Discard the bones. Return the shredded meat to the slow cooker and mixed it with the juices.
- Combine all of the ingredients for the cream in a food processor or blender and pulse for a few seconds.
- Serve meat on corn tortillas with cheese, cabbage, and crema.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 820
- Sugar: 9.5 g
- Sodium: 1772 mg
- Fat: 41.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 29.9 g
- Protein: 80 g
- Cholesterol: 269.5 mg