Honey-Chipotle Pork Tacos with Fresh Slaw

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-06 · Updated 2026-08-06

Spiced pork shoulder slow-cooked in a honey-chipotle marinade, served in warm corn tortillas with a crunchy lime slaw. This Mexican-inspired taco and burrito recipe, ready in about 435 minutes, pairs honey, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 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: 15 min Cook: 420 min Serves 6 Mexican cuisine 410 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2 lbs pork shoulder, trimmed and cut into 2-inch chunks
1/4 cup honey
2 peppers chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp white vinegar
2 cups green cabbage, shredded
1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
3 tbsp lime juice
12 small corn tortillas
1 tbsp olive oil

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Equipment for this recipe

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Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup honey, 2 minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
Step 2: Add 2 lbs pork shoulder chunks to the bowl and toss to coat evenly with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
Step 3: Transfer the pork and marinade to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours until the pork is tender and easily shredded.
Step 4: While the pork cooks, prepare slaw by combining 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1/2 thinly sliced red onion, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and 3 tbsp lime juice in a medium bowl. Toss and set aside.
Step 5: When pork is done, shred it with two forks and stir in 1 tbsp olive oil for added moisture.
Step 6: Warm 12 small corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side until soft and pliable.
Step 7: Assemble tacos by layering shredded pork and a generous spoonful of fresh slaw in each tortilla. Serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Honey-Chipotle Pork Tacos with Fresh Slaw take to make?

Total time is about 435 minutes (15 min prep + 420 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 Honey-Chipotle Pork Tacos with Fresh Slaw?

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 honey from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Honey-Chipotle Pork Tacos with Fresh Slaw?

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 Honey-Chipotle Pork Tacos with Fresh Slaw 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 Honey-Chipotle Pork Tacos with Fresh Slaw?

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.