Classic Mexican Street-Style Tacos with Cilantro-Lime Slaw

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

Soft corn tortillas filled with seasoned grilled pork and topped with a tangy cilantro-lime slaw for a vibrant street food experience. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 25 minutes pairs pork shoulder, thinly sliced, olive oil, 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 350 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, toss 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until well coated.
  2. Step 2: Heat a grill pan or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and cook the pork slices for 3-4 minutes per side until nicely charred and cooked through.
  3. Step 3: While pork cooks, combine 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 3 tbsp fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp mayonnaise, and 1 tsp honey in a bowl to make the cilantro-lime slaw. Toss until creamy and tangy.
  4. Step 4: Warm 8 small corn tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave wrapped in a damp towel until soft and pliable.
  5. Step 5: Assemble tacos by layering grilled pork slices on tortillas and topping generously with cilantro-lime slaw. Serve with sour cream if desired.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Classic Mexican Street-Style Tacos with Cilantro-Lime 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 Classic Mexican Street-Style 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 pork shoulder, thinly sliced from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Classic Mexican Street-Style 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 Classic Mexican Street-Style 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 Classic Mexican Street-Style Tacos with Cilantro-Lime Slaw?

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.

Related recipes