Half-Pint Beer-Braised Pork Tacos with Pickled Onions

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

Tender pork slow-braised in half a pint of beer, served in warm tortillas with tangy pickled onions and fresh cilantro. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 125 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes pork shoulder, fl oz (about 1 cup) half pint beer, small, thinly sliced red onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 3, 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: 25 min Cook: 100 min Serves 3 Mexican cuisine 480 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Combine 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1 tsp salt in a small bowl. Add 1 small thinly sliced red onion and let sit for at least 20 minutes to pickle.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb pork shoulder cubes, season with 1 tsp ground cumin and 1 tsp chili powder, and brown on all sides for 6-7 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 8 fl oz (half pint) beer, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1.5 hours until pork is tender and shreds easily.
  4. Step 4: Warm 6 corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds each side until pliable.
  5. Step 5: Shred the pork with two forks, assemble tacos by dividing pork among tortillas, topping with pickled onions and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Half-Pint Beer-Braised Pork Tacos with Pickled Onions take to make?

Total time is about 125 minutes (25 min prep + 100 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 Half-Pint Beer-Braised Pork Tacos with Pickled Onions?

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 white vinegar from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Half-Pint Beer-Braised Pork Tacos with Pickled Onions?

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 Half-Pint Beer-Braised Pork Tacos with Pickled Onions for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 Half-Pint Beer-Braised Pork Tacos with Pickled Onions?

Mexican 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.

Related recipes