Grilled Pineapple and Jerk-Spiced Pork Tacos
Juicy pork marinated in bold jerk spices paired with sweet grilled pineapple, served in soft tortillas for a vibrant taco experience. This caribbean-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 55 minutes pairs thinly sliced pork shoulder, jerk seasoning, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 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
- 2 tbsp jerk seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 rings, fresh pineapple rings
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 1 small, thinly sliced red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 4, for serving lime wedges
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, toss 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder with 2 tbsp jerk seasoning, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill 4 fresh pineapple rings for 3-4 minutes per side until caramelized and grill marks appear. Remove and cut into bite-sized chunks.
- Step 3: Grill the marinated pork slices for 3-5 minutes per side until cooked through and slightly charred.
- Step 4: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on the grill for 30 seconds each side until pliable.
- Step 5: Assemble tacos by dividing grilled pork and pineapple chunks evenly among tortillas. Top with thinly sliced 1 small red onion and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Serve immediately with 4 lime wedges for squeezing.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Pineapple and Jerk-Spiced Pork Tacos take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (40 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 Pineapple and Jerk-Spiced Pork Tacos?
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 Pineapple and Jerk-Spiced Pork Tacos?
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 Pineapple and Jerk-Spiced Pork Tacos 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 Pineapple and Jerk-Spiced Pork Tacos?
Caribbean 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.