Grilled Cilantro-Lime Pork Tacos with Pickled Red Onion
Juicy grilled pork marinated in zesty cilantro and lime, served in warm corn tortillas with tangy pickled red onion for a fresh taco experience. This Mexican-inspired taco and burrito recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs fresh cilantro leaves, lime juice, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 lb pork shoulder (boneless, sliced into 1/2-inch strips)
- 1/2 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 1 medium, thinly sliced red onion
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- for garnish fresh cilantro sprigs
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a blender or food processor, combine 1/2 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves, 1/4 cup lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Blend until smooth to create the marinade.
- Step 2: Place 1 lb sliced boneless pork shoulder strips into a large bowl and pour the marinade over them. Toss to coat evenly and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
- Step 3: Meanwhile, make pickled red onions by combining 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup water, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1 medium thinly sliced red onion in a jar or bowl. Stir until sugar dissolves, then let sit for at least 30 minutes.
- Step 4: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Thread pork strips onto skewers or grill directly, cooking for 3-4 minutes per side until nicely charred and cooked through.
- Step 5: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on the grill for 30 seconds each side. Assemble tacos by placing grilled pork on tortillas, topping with pickled red onions and fresh cilantro sprigs. Serve immediately.









