Fresh Central Texas Tex-Mex 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 zesty cilantro-lime slaw, capturing vibrant Tex-Mex flavors. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 25 minutes pairs pork shoulder, thinly sliced, chili powder, ground cumin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, 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 6 Mexican cuisine 320 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp salt. Toss 1.5 lbs thinly sliced pork shoulder in this spice blend until evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned pork slices and cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally until cooked through and edges are caramelized.
  3. Step 3: While pork cooks, prepare the slaw by mixing 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1/2 sliced red onion, 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, 3 tbsp lime juice, 1/4 cup Greek yogurt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and a pinch of salt in a bowl until well combined.
  4. Step 4: Warm 12 small corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side until pliable.
  5. Step 5: Assemble tacos by layering the cooked pork on each tortilla and topping generously with the cilantro-lime slaw. Serve immediately with lime wedges if desired.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Fresh Central Texas Tex-Mex 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 Fresh Central Texas Tex-Mex 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 Fresh Central Texas Tex-Mex 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 Fresh Central Texas Tex-Mex Tacos with Cilantro-Lime Slaw for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Fresh Central Texas Tex-Mex 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