Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Tacos with Pickled Onion
Juicy pork marinated in tangy citrus and spices, grilled to perfection, and served in warm tortillas with bright pickled red onions. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 30 minutes pairs thinly sliced pork shoulder, fresh orange juice, fresh lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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, thinly sliced pork shoulder
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 medium, thinly sliced red onion
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 sliced, optional jalapeño
- for serving lime wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup fresh orange juice, 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder and marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, combine 1 medium thinly sliced red onion, 1/2 cup white vinegar, and 1 tbsp sugar in a jar or bowl. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to pickle.
- Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the marinated pork slices for 3-4 minutes per side until nicely charred and cooked through.
- Step 4: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on the grill for about 30 seconds per side until pliable.
- Step 5: Assemble tacos by layering grilled pork, pickled red onions, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and sliced jalapeño if using onto each tortilla. Serve immediately with lime wedges for squeezing over.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Tacos with Pickled Onion take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (20 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 Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Tacos with Pickled Onion?
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 thinly sliced pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Tacos with Pickled Onion?
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 Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Tacos with Pickled Onion 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 Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Tacos with Pickled Onion?
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.
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