Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Tacos with Pickled Onions and Avocado
Juicy grilled pork marinated in bright citrus and spices, served in warm corn tortillas with tangy pickled onions and creamy avocado slices. This Mexican-inspired taco and burrito recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, thinly sliced, orange juice, lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 1 medium ripe avocado, sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 small jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional)
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder and marinate for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, combine 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1 medium thinly sliced red onion in a small bowl. Let sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to pickle.
- Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill the marinated pork slices for 3-4 minutes per side until cooked through and nicely charred.
- Step 4: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on the grill for 30 seconds per side until pliable.
- Step 5: Assemble tacos by placing grilled pork onto each tortilla, topping with pickled onions, slices of 1 medium ripe avocado, 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, and optional jalapeño slices. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Tacos with Pickled Onions and Avocado 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 Onions and Avocado?
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 pork shoulder, thinly sliced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Tacos with Pickled Onions and Avocado?
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 Onions and Avocado 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 Onions and Avocado?
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.
Related recipes
Chile-Lime Grilled Pork Tacos with Pineapple Salsa
Grilled Whiskey-Marinated Pork Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw
Grilled Whiskey-Marinated Pork Tacos with Pickled Onions
Grilled Whiskey-Marinated Pork Tacos with Cilantro Slaw
Grilled Citrus-Lime Pork Tacos with Fresh Salsa
Grilled Cajun-Spiced Pork Tacos with Pickled Onions