Best of the Americas Tacos
Slow-braised pulled pork tacos topped with tangy slaw, spicy salsa, and melted cheese for a hearty American-Mexican fusion. This american-mexican-inspired mexican ready in about 165 minutes pairs pork shoulder, barbecue sauce, corn tortillas for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork shoulder
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 8 corn tortillas
- 1 cup, shredded red cabbage
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2, finely chopped jalapeños
- 1/2 cup, shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Season pork with salt and pepper. Place in a roasting pan, drizzle with 1 tbsp oil, and cook for 2-2.5 hours until tender and falling apart.
- Step 2: In a bowl, toss cabbage with vinegar, 1 tbsp oil, and salt. Set aside.
- Step 3: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add jalapeños and cook for 2 minutes until softened. Stir in barbecue sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Step 4: Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave. Divide pulled pork between tortillas, top with slaw, salsa, and cheese. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Best of the Americas Tacos take to make?
Total time is about 165 minutes (15 min prep + 150 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Best of the Americas Tacos?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Best of the Americas Tacos?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Best of the Americas Tacos for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Best of the Americas Tacos?
American-Mexican mexican like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Restaurant quality! Can't believe how easy this was.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 150-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
