Recipe courtesy of Aaron Sanchez

Tacos de Cecina (Pounded Pork Tacos)

Getting reviews...
  • Level: Easy
  • Total: 8 hr 40 min (includes soaking and marinating time)
  • Active: 25 min
  • Yield: 2 servings (2 per serving)
Share This Recipe

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Bring 1 cup of water to a boil. In a dry cast-iron skillet, toast the chiles over medium-low heat until fragrant, turning them and shaking the pan so they don't scorch, about 2 minutes. Put the toasted chiles in a bowl, cover with the boiling water and let them soak until softened and reconstituted, about 15 minutes.
  2. Using a sharp knife, make a deep slit down the length of the tenderloin and open it up so it lays flat. With the smooth side of a mallet, pound the pork between 2 pieces of plastic to a 1/4- to 1/8-inch thickness. Transfer to a baking dish.
  3. In a blender, combine the guajillo chiles, olive oil, vinegar, oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 2 tablespoons of the reconstituting liquid and puree to form a paste. Rub the paste on both sides of the pork. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
  4. Preheat an outdoor grill or a griddle pan over a medium-high flame. Drizzle the grill with a little vegetable oil to prevent the meat from sticking. Re-season the pork with a sprinkle of salt and pepper and grill for 2 minutes per side. Remove to a cutting board and let rest for 2 minutes to allow the juices to settle. Dice into 1/4-inch pieces.
  5. Heat a large dry skillet over a medium flame. Warm the tortillas until toasty and pliable, about 30 seconds on each side.
  6. To make the tacos, lay about 4 ounces of the pork down the center of 1 tortilla, sprinkle with chopped onions and cilantro and finish with a spritz of lime juice. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and pork.

Choose a topic to find related recipes.

Fudge Factor

Review: Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert's Chocolate Bar Nov 16, 2012

Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert have teamed up with master chocolatier Christopher Curtin to create the "Good & Evil" chocolate b …

Train Frontman Pat Monahan's Dark Chocolate Obsession Feb 11, 2013

By: Cameron Curtis

Train frontman Pat Monahan, an avid chocolate lover, shared with us his top five reasons for eating dark chocolate.

Sifted: Plan-Ahead Valentine's Day Desserts Feb 6, 2013

By: Lauren Miyashiro

Get our take on the best in food news, recipes and more from around the web, including the best Valentine's Day recipes.

The Craziest Chocolate Creations for American Chocolate Week Mar 17, 2013

It’s officially American Chocolate Week. Check out photos of mind-blowing chocolate creations.

Over-the-Top-Delicious Treats to Satisfy Your Food Obsession

Are you infatuated with ice cream? Do you lust over lobster? Swoon at the sight of chocolate? Here's the best recipe for each food …

Chocolate Desserts

Indulge in our decadent chocolate desserts, from cookies and cakes to puddings, souffles and truffles.

Essentials: Chocolate Basics Sep 1, 2016

Satisfy that chocolate craving in your very own kitchen. All you need is baking chocolate and a little know-how. It also helps to …