Grilled Mezcal-Marinated Pork Tacos with Pickled Red Onion
Tender pork marinated in smoky mezcal and Oaxacan spices, grilled and served on warm corn tortillas topped with tangy pickled red onion. This mexican-inspired pork ready in about 35 minutes pairs pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes, mezcal, orange juice 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, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup mezcal
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- for serving lime wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1/4 cup mezcal, 1/4 cup orange juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Add 1 pound pork shoulder cubes and toss to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight for best flavor.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, prepare pickled red onion by placing 1 medium thinly sliced red onion in a jar. In a small saucepan, heat 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup water, and 1 tablespoon sugar over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Pour hot vinegar mixture over the onions and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Thread marinated pork cubes onto skewers, shaking off excess marinade.
- Step 4: Grill pork skewers for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until pork is nicely charred and cooked through.
- Step 5: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on the grill for about 30 seconds per side until pliable.
- Step 6: To assemble, remove pork from skewers and divide evenly among tortillas. Top each taco with a spoonful of pickled red onion and sprinkle with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Mezcal-Marinated Pork Tacos with Pickled Red Onion take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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 Mezcal-Marinated Pork Tacos with Pickled Red 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 mezcal from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Mezcal-Marinated Pork Tacos with Pickled Red 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 Mezcal-Marinated Pork Tacos with Pickled Red 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 Mezcal-Marinated Pork Tacos with Pickled Red Onion?
Mexican pork 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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