Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Tacos with Pickled Onion

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy pork marinated in tangy citrus and spices, grilled to perfection, and served in warm tortillas with bright pickled red onions. This mexican 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Step 4: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on the grill for about 30 seconds per side until pliable.
  5. 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.

Equipment for this recipe

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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 mexican 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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