Mezcal-Infused Pulled Pork Tacos with Pickled Red Onion
Tender slow-cooked pork shoulder infused with smoky mezcal, served in warm corn tortillas topped with tangy pickled red onion and fresh cilantro. This mexican-inspired pork ready in about 270 minutes pairs mezcal, garlic cloves, minced, ground cumin 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.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs pork shoulder, trimmed and cut into chunks
- 1/2 cup mezcal
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 large red onion, thinly sliced
- 12 corn tortillas
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 3 lbs pork shoulder chunks with 1/2 cup mezcal, 5 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tbsp chili powder, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight in the refrigerator.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the pork pieces on all sides, about 5 minutes per batch.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup orange juice and 1 cup water to the pot, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently for 3 hours until pork is very tender and shreds easily.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, prepare pickled red onions by placing 1 large thinly sliced red onion in a bowl with 1 cup white vinegar, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt. Let sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
- Step 5: When pork is tender, remove from the pot and shred with two forks. Return shredded pork to the cooking liquid and stir to coat.
- Step 6: Warm 12 corn tortillas on a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side until pliable.
- Step 7: Assemble tacos by filling each tortilla with a generous scoop of pulled pork, topping with pickled red onion and 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves.
- Step 8: Serve immediately with lime wedges if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mezcal-Infused Pulled Pork Tacos with Pickled Red Onion take to make?
Total time is about 270 minutes (90 min prep + 180 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 Mezcal-Infused Pulled Pork Tacos with Pickled Red Onion?
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 mezcal from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Mezcal-Infused Pulled Pork Tacos with Pickled Red Onion?
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 Mezcal-Infused Pulled Pork Tacos with Pickled Red Onion 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 Mezcal-Infused Pulled Pork Tacos with Pickled Red Onion?
Mexican 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.
