Mole-Inspired Pork Tacos with Toasted Sesame
Soft corn tortillas filled with tender pork simmered in a rich, nutty mole-inspired sauce, topped with crunchy toasted sesame seeds for texture and flavor. This mexican-inspired pork ready in about 140 minutes pairs pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes, olive oil, large, chopped yellow onion 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 1-inch cubes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, chopped yellow onion
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp ancho chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder (unsweetened)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 12 small corn tortillas
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- for serving lime wedges
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs cubed pork shoulder and brown on all sides for about 8 minutes.
- Step 2: Add 1 large chopped yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot, sautéing for 4 minutes until the onion softens.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp ancho chili powder, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, and 2 tbsp tomato paste, cooking for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 4: Pour in 2 cups chicken broth, season with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper, bring to a simmer, then cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for 2 hours until pork is very tender.
- Step 5: While pork cooks, toast 3 tbsp sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes until golden and fragrant.
- Step 6: Warm 12 small corn tortillas in a skillet or oven. Shred the cooked pork and spoon into tortillas. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mole-Inspired Pork Tacos with Toasted Sesame take to make?
Total time is about 140 minutes (20 min prep + 120 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 Toasted Sesame?
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 Toasted Sesame?
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 Toasted Sesame 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 Toasted Sesame?
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.
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