Mole-Inspired Pork Tacos with Spiced Chocolate Sauce and Pickled Red Onion
Tender slow-cooked pork shoulder nestled in warm corn tortillas topped with a rich, spiced chocolate mole sauce and tangy pickled red onions for a balanced Mexican taco experience. This Mexican-inspired taco and burrito recipe, ready in about 180 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, cut into chunks, olive oil, onion, chopped 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
- 2 lbs pork shoulder, cut into chunks
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp chipotle chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 oz dark chocolate, chopped
- 12 small corn tortillas
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Combine 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp salt, and 1 thinly sliced small red onion in a bowl. Let sit for at least 30 minutes to pickle.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs pork shoulder cut into chunks and brown on all sides, about 6-8 minutes.
- Step 3: Add 1 chopped medium onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot and sauté for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 tbsp chipotle chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, and 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, cooking for 1 minute to toast spices.
- Step 5: Pour in 2 cups chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Cover and reduce heat to low, cooking gently for 2.5 hours until pork is tender and shreds easily.
- Step 6: Remove pork and shred with two forks. Stir 1 oz chopped dark chocolate into the cooking liquid until melted and sauce is smooth and glossy.
- Step 7: Warm 12 small corn tortillas on a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side.
- Step 8: To assemble, fill each tortilla with shredded pork, drizzle with the spiced chocolate mole sauce, top with pickled red onion and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mole-Inspired Pork Tacos with Spiced Chocolate Sauce and Pickled Red Onion take to make?
Total time is about 180 minutes (20 min prep + 160 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 Mole-Inspired Pork Tacos with Spiced Chocolate Sauce and 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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Mole-Inspired Pork Tacos with Spiced Chocolate Sauce and 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 Mole-Inspired Pork Tacos with Spiced Chocolate Sauce and 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 Mole-Inspired Pork Tacos with Spiced Chocolate Sauce and Pickled Red Onion?
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.
