Grilled Pineapple and Jerk-Spiced Pork Tacos with Avocado Crema
Tender pork marinated in spicy jerk seasoning and grilled alongside sweet pineapple, served in warm tortillas with a cool avocado crema. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 35 minutes pairs thinly sliced pork shoulder, jerk seasoning, small corn tortillas for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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
- 4 rings, cut into quarters fresh pineapple rings
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1/3 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp, fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 tsp, divided salt
- 1/2 tsp, divided black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 small, thinly sliced red onion
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, toss 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder with 2 tbsp jerk seasoning, 1 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp olive oil. Let marinate for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, prepare avocado crema by blending 1 ripe avocado, 1/3 cup Greek yogurt, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a food processor until smooth; set aside.
- Step 3: Heat a grill pan or outdoor grill over medium-high heat and brush with 1 tbsp olive oil. Grill the pork slices for 3-4 minutes per side until nicely charred and cooked through.
- Step 4: Grill 4 pineapple rings cut into quarters for 2 minutes per side until caramelized and slightly softened.
- Step 5: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on the grill for 30 seconds per side. Assemble tacos by layering grilled pork, pineapple pieces, thinly sliced 1/2 small red onion, and a generous drizzle of avocado crema. Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped cilantro before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Pineapple and Jerk-Spiced Pork Tacos with Avocado Crema 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 Pineapple and Jerk-Spiced Pork Tacos with Avocado Crema?
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 with Avocado Crema?
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 with Avocado Crema 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 with Avocado Crema?
Caribbean 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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