Chipotle-Lime Grilled Pork Tacos with Cabbage Slaw
Smoky chipotle-marinated pork grilled to perfection and served in warm corn tortillas with a crisp, tangy cabbage slaw. This mexican-inspired pork ready in about 25 minutes turns pork shoulder, thinly sliced, chipotle chili powder, ground cumin into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. 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
- 2 tsp chipotle chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups green cabbage, shredded
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 8 small corn tortillas
- for serving lime wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder with 2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 3 tablespoons lime juice, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Toss well and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Step 2: While pork marinates, prepare the slaw by mixing 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, and 2 tablespoons mayonnaise in a bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the marinated pork slices for 3-4 minutes per side until nicely charred and cooked through.
- Step 4: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on the grill for 30 seconds each side. Assemble tacos by layering pork slices and cabbage slaw on each tortilla. Serve immediately with lime wedges for squeezing over.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chipotle-Lime Grilled Pork Tacos with Cabbage Slaw take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 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 Chipotle-Lime Grilled Pork Tacos with Cabbage Slaw?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Chipotle-Lime Grilled Pork Tacos with Cabbage 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 Chipotle-Lime Grilled Pork Tacos with Cabbage 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 Chipotle-Lime Grilled Pork Tacos with Cabbage Slaw?
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.
