Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Tacos with Pickled Red Onions
Juicy grilled pork marinated in a zesty citrus blend served in warm corn tortillas topped with tangy pickled red onions and fresh cilantro. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 35 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 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.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs pork shoulder, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 12 small corn tortillas
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- for serving lime wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add 1.5 lbs thinly sliced pork shoulder and toss to coat. Marinate for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, combine 1 medium thinly sliced red onion, 1 cup white vinegar, and 1 tbsp sugar in a jar or bowl. Let sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to pickle.
- Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Remove pork from marinade and grill for 3-4 minutes per side until nicely charred and cooked through.
- Step 4: Warm 12 small corn tortillas on the grill for 30 seconds each side. Assemble tacos by placing grilled pork slices on tortillas, topping with pickled red onions and 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing over.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Tacos with Pickled Red Onions take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 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 Red Onions?
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 Red Onions?
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 Red Onions 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 Red Onions?
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.
