Citrus-Spiced Pork Tacos with Pickled Red Onion and Avocado Crema
Bright and flavorful pork tacos featuring citrus and spice marinated pork, topped with tangy pickled red onions and a smooth avocado crema. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 50 minutes pairs pound pork shoulder, thinly sliced, orange juice, lime juice 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 pound pork shoulder, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 corn tortillas
- 1 small, thinly sliced red onion
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup cilantro leaves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Add 1 pound thinly sliced pork shoulder and toss to coat. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, combine 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1 small thinly sliced red onion in a jar or bowl. Let sit at room temperature for 20 minutes to quick-pickle.
- Step 3: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the marinated pork (discard excess marinade). Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pork is cooked through and slightly caramelized.
- Step 4: In a blender, combine 1 ripe avocado, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup cilantro leaves, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Step 5: Warm 8 corn tortillas in a dry skillet or oven. Assemble tacos by spooning cooked pork onto tortillas, topping with pickled red onions and a drizzle of avocado crema. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Citrus-Spiced Pork Tacos with Pickled Red Onion and Avocado Crema take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (40 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 Citrus-Spiced Pork Tacos with Pickled Red Onion and Avocado Crema?
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 orange juice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Citrus-Spiced Pork Tacos with Pickled Red Onion and Avocado Crema?
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 Citrus-Spiced Pork Tacos with Pickled Red Onion and Avocado Crema 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 Citrus-Spiced Pork Tacos with Pickled Red Onion and Avocado Crema?
Mexican 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.
