Grilled Whiskey-Marinated Pork Tacos with Pickled Onions

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-31 · Updated 2026-05-31

Tender pork marinated in whiskey and spices, grilled to smoky perfection, served in warm tortillas with tangy pickled onions and fresh cilantro. This Mexican-inspired taco and burrito recipe, ready in about 90 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, thinly sliced, whiskey, olive oil 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, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup whiskey
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 8 small corn tortillas
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• for serving lime wedges

Grilling tools worth buying → Best Grilling Tools and BBQ Gadgets for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1/4 cup whiskey, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder and toss to coat. Marinate covered in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
2. Step 2: Meanwhile, prepare pickled onions by placing 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup water, and 1 tbsp sugar in a small saucepan. Heat over medium until sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes. Pour hot liquid over 1 medium thinly sliced red onion in a jar. Let cool, then refrigerate.
3. Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Grill the marinated pork slices for 3-4 minutes per side until edges are crispy and meat is cooked through.
4. Step 4: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on the grill for 30 seconds per side until soft and pliable.
5. Step 5: Assemble tacos by placing grilled pork on tortillas, topping with pickled onions (about 2 tbsp each), and sprinkling with 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves. Serve immediately with lime wedges for squeezing.