Charred Pineapple and Jerk-Spiced Pork Tacos

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

Juicy pork marinated in jerk spices, grilled with sweet charred pineapple, served in soft corn tortillas with fresh cilantro and lime. This caribbean-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 55 minutes pairs pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes, jerk seasoning, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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: 40 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Caribbean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1 lb pork shoulder cubes with 2 tbsp jerk seasoning, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss well and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill 4 fresh pineapple slices for 2-3 minutes per side until char marks appear and pineapple caramelizes.
  3. Step 3: Grill marinated pork cubes for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally until cooked through and slightly charred.
  4. Step 4: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on the grill for 30 seconds per side.
  5. Step 5: Chop charred pineapple into small chunks. Assemble tacos by layering pork cubes, pineapple chunks, 1/2 medium thinly sliced red onion, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro on each tortilla. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing.

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Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 55 minutes (40 min prep + 15 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 Pineapple and Jerk-Spiced 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 jerk seasoning from drying out.

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

Caribbean tacos & burritos 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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