Grilled Pineapple and Jerk-Spiced Pulled Pork Tacos

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pulled pork marinated in jerk spices and served in warm corn tortillas with sweet grilled pineapple and fresh cilantro for a vibrant, tropical taco experience. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 140 minutes pairs jerk seasoning, olive oil, corn tortillas for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 6, 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 120 min Serves 6 Caribbean cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rub 3 lbs pork shoulder chunks with 3 tbsp jerk seasoning, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Let marinate at least 1 hour or overnight in the refrigerator.
  2. Step 2: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill 1 medium sliced pineapple rings for 3-4 minutes per side until caramelized and grill marks appear. Remove and chop into small pieces.
  3. Step 3: Grill the pork chunks over direct heat for 4-5 minutes per side until nicely charred, then move to indirect heat, cover, and cook for an additional 1.5-2 hours until very tender.
  4. Step 4: Remove pork from grill and shred with two forks. Toss shredded pork with half of the grilled pineapple pieces.
  5. Step 5: Warm 12 corn tortillas on the grill for 30 seconds per side. Build tacos by placing a generous scoop of pineapple-pulled pork mixture on each tortilla, garnish with remaining pineapple pieces and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Serve immediately with lime wedges.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Pineapple and Jerk-Spiced Pulled Pork Tacos take to make?

Total time is about 140 minutes (20 min prep + 120 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 Pulled 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 jerk seasoning from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Pineapple and Jerk-Spiced Pulled 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 Pulled Pork Tacos for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Pulled Pork Tacos?

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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