Taco tuesday on keto used to mean skip the tortilla. Not anymore. Built on a chicken-cheese tortilla, loaded with pulled pork, melty pepper jack, and avocado.
For a long time, taco tuesday on keto felt like a punishment. Either you skipped the tortilla entirely and ate sad taco filling out of a bowl, or you bought low-carb tortillas that fell apart the second they hit a warm filling. Neither felt like taco night.
Then I started using the chicken-cheese tortillas from the brilliant @the_carnivore_cop_ on Instagram, and taco tuesday came back to life. These tortillas are made from cottage cheese, eggs, shredded cheddar, and shredded chicken. No flour, no corn, no almond flour. Just real ingredients that bake into a sturdy, handheld tortilla you can actually fold around fillings without it falling apart.
This pulled pork taco is what I made with them, and it’s the kind of dinner that makes you forget you were ever on a “diet.” Reheated pulled pork, a melty slice of pepper jack, fresh avocado, and a hit of sour cream and hot sauce if you’re feeling it.
At 1.9g net carbs and 37.1g protein per taco, this is keto, low-carb, gluten-free, grain-free, and the kind of meal that proves keto comfort food can absolutely be a thing.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Real handheld tacos on keto. No more sad bowl tacos. Pick it up, fold it, eat it.
- 1.9g net carbs and 37.1g protein per taco. Comfort food macros done right.
- The tortilla is the magic. Sturdy, savory, and somehow tastes more like pizza-crust meets tortilla than like chicken.
- Endlessly customizable. Swap proteins, swap toppings, build your dream taco.
- Naturally gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free. Friendly for keto, paleo, and most allergy-conscious eaters.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the taco (per serving):
- 2 oz pulled pork, reheated — leftover pulled pork is perfect here. Store-bought or homemade.
- 1 chicken-cheese tortilla (Nate’s tortilla — recipe below)
- 1 slice cheese — pepper jack adds the perfect kick. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend also work.
- â…› of an avocado, sliced
- Sour cream and hot sauce, optional but recommended
For the chicken-cheese tortilla (makes 7 tortillas):
- 1 cup (220g) cottage cheese — Good Culture double cream is the best for texture. Use full-fat — low-fat won’t bind.
- 1 egg — binder.
- 1 cup (74g) shredded cheddar — shred from a block for the best melt.
- 1 cup (120g) shredded chicken — rotisserie chicken works perfectly.
How to Make Keto Pulled Pork Tacos
Step 1: Make the Chicken-Cheese Tortillas
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, combine the cottage cheese, egg, shredded cheddar, and shredded chicken. Mix really well — you want everything fully incorporated so the tortillas hold together evenly as they bake.
Step 2: Form the Tortillas
Using about 63g of the mixture per tortilla (you’ll get 7 total), place the mixture onto the parchment-lined baking sheet and shape into circles. Smooth them out with the back of a spoon, but don’t make them too thin — about a quarter-inch thick is the sweet spot for sturdy tortillas.
Step 3: Bake the Tortillas
Bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes. You’re looking for golden edges and a dry-looking surface. They should feel firm but pliable when you touch them.
Step 4: Let the Tortillas Cool
Let them cool to the touch before using. They firm up as they cool, which gives them their perfect tortilla texture.
Step 5: Reheat the Pulled Pork
In a non-stick frying pan over medium heat, reheat the pulled pork until warmed through and slightly crisped on the edges. Set aside.
Step 6: Warm the Tortilla
In the same pan, place a chicken-cheese tortilla and warm it through for about 30 seconds.
Step 7: Build the Taco
Spoon the warm pulled pork onto the tortilla. Top with a slice of cheese, then cover the pan briefly to let the cheese melt.
Step 8: Add Fresh Toppings
Once the cheese is melted, add the sliced avocado, a dollop of sour cream, and a drizzle of hot sauce if using.
Step 9: Fold and Eat
Fold the taco in half and eat immediately, while the cheese is still melty.
Expert Tips for the Best Results
- Use full-fat cottage cheese in the tortilla. Low-fat versions won’t bind and you’ll get crumbly tortillas instead of sturdy ones.
- Shred your own cheese from a block. Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking starches that affect the texture and how the tortilla holds together.
- Don’t make the tortillas too thin. Thin tortillas crack when you fold them. A quarter-inch is the magic number.
- Reheat the pork in the pan first. Microwaving makes the pork rubbery — pan reheating gives you crispy edges and locked-in flavor.
- Cover the pan briefly to melt the cheese. Trapping the steam melts the cheese fast without overcooking anything.
- Add the avocado AFTER melting. Avocado on heat goes mushy and sad. Add it fresh after the cheese is melted.
Variations & Substitutions
- Different proteins — shredded chicken, ground beef, carnitas, brisket, or even shrimp all work beautifully.
- Different cheese — Monterey Jack, cheddar, Mexican blend, or queso fresco. Match the cheese to the protein.
- Add fresh toppings — pico de gallo, chopped cilantro, lime juice, jalapeños, or shredded lettuce.
- Make it spicier — diced jalapeños, a drizzle of salsa macha, or a pinch of cayenne in the pork.
- Different sauces — chipotle crema, salsa verde, guacamole, or a quick chimichurri.
- Breakfast version — swap the pork for scrambled eggs, add bacon, and top with hot sauce.
Storage & Meal Prep
Use your nose on this one — keep it until it either smells off or you don’t want to look at it anymore.
The tortillas: Store cooled tortillas stacked between sheets of parchment paper in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep well for several days, or freeze beautifully for up to 2 months.
Freezer-friendly tortillas: Stack with parchment between each one in a freezer bag. Thaw in the fridge overnight or pop them straight into a warm pan to soften.
Meal-prep tip: Make a double batch of tortillas on Sunday and pulled pork in the slow cooker, and you’ve got taco-tuesday-ready ingredients all week. Assembly takes about 2 minutes.
Don’t pre-assemble tacos. The tortilla can soften under the wet pork over time. Keep components separate and build right before eating.
Nutrition Information (Per Taco)
- Calories: 436
- Fat: 29.7g
- Carbs: 2.9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Net carbs: 1.9g
- Protein: 37.1g
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the tortilla actually taste like a tortilla?
Honestly, it tastes better. It’s savory and slightly chewy with crispy edges — way more flavorful than a flour or corn tortilla. The chicken adds structure more than flavor, and the cheese makes it taste rich and indulgent.
Can I skip the chicken in the tortilla?
The chicken is doing real structural work — it’s what gives the tortilla its hold. Without it, you’d end up with a cheese pancake. If you don’t have chicken, this isn’t the recipe for the day.
Where does the pulled pork come from?
Use any pulled pork you love — homemade slow cooker pulled pork, leftover BBQ, or store-bought. Just make sure it’s keto-friendly (no sugar-loaded BBQ sauce).
Can I make pulled pork from scratch for this?
Absolutely — a simple slow cooker pulled pork with pork shoulder, salt, pepper, and a sugar-free BBQ rub takes 8 hours but is completely hands-off. Makes enough for tacos all week.
Are these carnivore-approved?
Almost — the base recipe (chicken-cheese tortilla, pork, cheese) is fully carnivore. The avocado, sour cream, and hot sauce push it into “dirty carnivore” territory, but you can skip them if you’re strict.
Can I make these in advance for a party?
You can make the tortillas and pulled pork ahead, but assemble fresh — the tortilla can soften under the wet pork over time. Keep everything separate and let guests build their own taco bar.
Where can I learn more about the chicken-cheese tortilla?
Big shoutout to @the_carnivore_cop_ on Instagram — that’s where this tortilla technique came from. They’ve been creating some of the most creative carnivore-friendly recipes out there and are absolutely worth a follow.
If you make these, tag @ketowilder on Instagram — I want to see your taco tuesday spread.
