Dominican-Inspired Pulled Pork Tacos with Pineapple Slaw
Tender slow-cooked pulled pork infused with citrus and spices, served in warm tortillas topped with a tangy pineapple and cabbage slaw. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 500 minutes pairs boneless pork shoulder, orange juice, lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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, boneless pork shoulder
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups thinly shredded small green cabbage
- 1 cup finely diced fresh pineapple
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 8 small corn tortillas
Instructions
- Step 1: In a slow cooker, combine 2 lbs boneless pork shoulder with 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook on low for 8 hours until pork is tender and easily shredded.
- Step 2: While pork cooks, prepare slaw by mixing 2 cups thinly shredded green cabbage, 1 cup finely diced fresh pineapple, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, 3 tbsp mayonnaise, and 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar in a bowl. Toss well and refrigerate.
- Step 3: Once pork is done, shred with two forks and stir it in the cooking juices to keep moist.
- Step 4: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side until pliable and slightly charred.
- Step 5: Assemble tacos by filling each tortilla with 1/4 cup pulled pork and topping with 2 tbsp pineapple slaw. Serve immediately for a vibrant, tangy taco experience.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dominican-Inspired Pulled Pork Tacos with Pineapple Slaw take to make?
Total time is about 500 minutes (20 min prep + 480 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 Dominican-Inspired Pulled Pork Tacos with Pineapple 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 boneless pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Dominican-Inspired Pulled Pork Tacos with Pineapple 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 Dominican-Inspired Pulled Pork Tacos with Pineapple 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 Dominican-Inspired Pulled Pork Tacos with Pineapple Slaw?
Caribbean 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.