Charred Pineapple and Jerk-Spiced Pork Tacos with Cilantro-Lime Slaw
Sweet and smoky charred pineapple complements tender jerk-spiced pork in soft corn tortillas, finished with a tangy cilantro-lime slaw. This caribbean-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 30 minutes pairs jerk seasoning, olive oil, small corn tortillas for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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
- 1 lb pork shoulder, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch strips
- 2 tbsp jerk seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup fresh pineapple, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 2 cups green cabbage, shredded
- 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 1 lb pork shoulder strips with 2 tbsp jerk seasoning and 1 tbsp olive oil. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook pork for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks and 1 tbsp olive oil. Cook for 3-4 minutes until pineapple is charred on edges and caramelized.
- Step 3: In a medium bowl, mix 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, 3 tbsp mayonnaise, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to make the slaw.
- Step 4: Warm 8 small corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side. Assemble tacos by layering pork, charred pineapple, and cilantro-lime slaw evenly among tortillas and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Charred Pineapple and Jerk-Spiced Pork Tacos with Cilantro-Lime Slaw take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 with Cilantro-Lime Slaw?
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 with Cilantro-Lime Slaw?
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 with Cilantro-Lime Slaw 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 with Cilantro-Lime Slaw?
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.
