Chili-Lime Grilled Pork Tacos with Pickled Red Onions
Flavorful grilled pork marinated in chili and lime, served in warm corn tortillas topped with tangy pickled red onions and fresh cilantro. This mexican-inspired pork ready in about 30 minutes pairs pork shoulder, thinly sliced, fresh lime juice, chili powder 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb pork shoulder, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Instructions
- Step 1: In a glass bowl, combine 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir well to make the marinade.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder to the marinade, tossing to coat completely. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours.
- Step 3: Meanwhile, prepare pickled onions by combining 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer until sugar dissolves, then pour over 1 medium thinly sliced red onion in a bowl. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Step 4: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill the marinated pork slices for 3-4 minutes per side until nicely charred and cooked through.
- Step 5: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on the grill for 30 seconds per side until pliable.
- Step 6: Assemble tacos by dividing grilled pork among tortillas, topping with pickled red onions and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chili-Lime Grilled Pork Tacos with Pickled Red Onions take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (20 min prep + 10 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 Chili-Lime Grilled Pork Tacos with Pickled Red Onions?
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, thinly sliced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Chili-Lime Grilled Pork Tacos with Pickled Red Onions?
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 Chili-Lime Grilled Pork Tacos with Pickled Red Onions 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 Chili-Lime Grilled Pork Tacos with Pickled Red Onions?
Mexican 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.
