Gold Rum-Braised Pineapple Pork Tacos
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.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs, cut into 1-inch cubes pork shoulder
- 1/3 cup gold rum
- 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 8 corn tortillas
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- for serving fresh lime wedges
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp ground cumin and 1 tsp smoked paprika; cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 6: Warm 8 corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds each side until pliable.
- 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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.