Charred Mango and Jerk-Spiced Pulled Pork Tacos

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Soft corn tortillas filled with smoky, jerk-seasoned pulled pork and sweet charred mango salsa for a vibrant island-inspired taco. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 200 minutes pairs trimmed pork shoulder, jerk seasoning, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 180 min Serves 4 Caribbean cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. Rub 2 lbs pork shoulder evenly with 2 tbsp jerk seasoning, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork shoulder on all sides for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply browned.
  3. Step 3: Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast the pork for 3 hours, basting every hour, until it is fork-tender and easily shredded.
  4. Step 4: While pork cooks, prepare mango salsa: char 1 large peeled diced mango in a hot dry skillet over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes until browned and softened.
  5. Step 5: Combine the charred mango with 1/4 cup finely diced red onion, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro in a bowl.
  6. Step 6: Remove pork from oven, shred with two forks, and mix with any pan juices.
  7. Step 7: Warm 8 small corn tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave. Fill each tortilla with pulled pork and top with a spoonful of mango salsa before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Charred Mango and Jerk-Spiced Pulled Pork Tacos take to make?

Total time is about 200 minutes (20 min prep + 180 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 Charred Mango and Jerk-Spiced Pulled Pork 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 trimmed pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Charred Mango and Jerk-Spiced Pulled Pork 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 Charred Mango and Jerk-Spiced Pulled Pork 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 Charred Mango and Jerk-Spiced Pulled Pork Tacos?

Caribbean pork 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.

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