Curry-Spiced Pulled Pork Tacos with Pickled Red Onion
Juicy pulled pork infused with fragrant curry spices, piled into warm tortillas and topped with tangy pickled red onions for a bold taco experience. This mexican-inspired pork ready in about 380 minutes pairs medium, sliced yellow onion, minced garlic cloves, ground turmeric for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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
- 2 lbs, trimmed and cut into chunks pork shoulder
- 1 medium, sliced yellow onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp ground coriander
- 2 tbsp curry powder
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 1 medium, thinly sliced red onion
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup for garnish cilantro leaves
- 4, for serving lime wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large skillet over medium heat, warm 2 tbsp olive oil. Add 1 medium sliced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 2 lbs chunks of pork shoulder to the skillet along with 1 tsp ground turmeric, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tbsp ground coriander, 2 tbsp curry powder, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Stir to coat the meat evenly with spices.
- Step 3: Transfer the pork mixture to a slow cooker or heavy pot. Pour in 1 cup chicken broth, cover, and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until pork is tender enough to shred.
- Step 4: While the pork cooks, combine 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp sugar, 1/2 cup water, and 1 medium thinly sliced red onion in a jar or bowl. Let sit for at least 1 hour to pickle.
- Step 5: When pork is ready, shred it with two forks and mix it with the cooking juices.
- Step 6: Warm 8 small corn tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave. Serve the curried pulled pork in tortillas topped with pickled red onions and 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves. Provide lime wedges for squeezing over the tacos.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Curry-Spiced Pulled Pork Tacos with Pickled Red Onion take to make?
Total time is about 380 minutes (20 min prep + 360 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 Curry-Spiced Pulled Pork Tacos with Pickled Red Onion?
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 medium, sliced yellow onion from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Curry-Spiced Pulled Pork Tacos with Pickled Red Onion?
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 Curry-Spiced Pulled Pork Tacos with Pickled Red Onion 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 Curry-Spiced Pulled Pork Tacos with Pickled Red Onion?
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.
