Grilled Whiskey-Marinated Pork Tacos with Pickled Red Onions

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

Smoky grilled pork marinated in whiskey and spices, served in warm tortillas with tangy pickled red onions for a perfect balance of flavors. This Mexican-inspired taco and burrito recipe, ready in about 25 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
• 8 small corn tortillas
• 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves

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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 to create the marinade. Add 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
2. Step 2: Meanwhile, prepare pickled onions by placing 1 medium thinly sliced red onion in a jar. In a saucepan, heat 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup water, and 1 tbsp sugar over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Pour the hot liquid over the onions, let cool, then refrigerate.
3. Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill the marinated pork slices for 3-4 minutes per side until nicely charred and cooked through.
4. Step 4: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on the grill for about 30 seconds per side until pliable and slightly toasted.
5. Step 5: Assemble tacos by placing grilled pork on each tortilla, topping with pickled red onions and 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves. Serve immediately.