Gold Rum-Braised Pineapple Pork Tacos

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork braised in sweet gold rum with caramelized pineapple, served in warm tortillas with fresh cilantro and lime. This mexican-inspired pork ready in about 140 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes pork shoulder, gold rum, fresh pineapple chunks 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 120 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 lbs cubed pork shoulder seasoned with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Brown the pork in batches for 5-6 minutes until all sides are golden.
  2. Step 2: Remove pork and set aside. In the same pot, add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until onion softens and becomes translucent.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp ground cumin and 1 tsp smoked paprika; cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Add 1/3 cup gold rum to deglaze the pot, scraping up browned bits, then add 1 cup chicken broth and 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks.
  5. Step 5: Return pork to the pot, bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low. Braise pork gently for 1.5 to 2 hours until tender.
  6. Step 6: Warm 8 corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds each side until pliable.
  7. Step 7: To serve, spoon braised pork and pineapple over tortillas, garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and squeeze fresh lime wedges over the top.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Gold Rum-Braised Pineapple Pork Tacos take to make?

Total time is about 140 minutes (20 min prep + 120 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 Gold Rum-Braised Pineapple Pork Tacos?

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 gold rum from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Gold Rum-Braised Pineapple Pork Tacos?

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 Gold Rum-Braised Pineapple Pork Tacos 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 Gold Rum-Braised Pineapple Pork Tacos?

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.