Puerto Rican Mojo-Marinated Pork Tacos
Juicy marinated pork wrapped in warm corn tortillas, topped with tangy pickled onions and fresh cilantro. This puerto rican-inspired mexican ready in about 75 minutes pairs boneless pork shoulder, medium onion, medium lime for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 1.5 lbs boneless pork shoulder
- 1 medium onion
- 2 medium lime
- 3 garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1 tbsp lime zest
- 1/2 tsp ground annatto seeds
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 8 pcs corn tortillas
- 1/2 cup pickled onions
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Dice onion into 1/4-inch cubes. Zest one lime and finely chop. In a bowl, whisk 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 cup orange juice, 1 tbsp lime zest, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp ground annatto seeds, 1/2 tsp cumin, and 1 tsp salt until emulsified.
- Step 2: Add 1.5 lbs cubed pork shoulder to the marinade, ensuring each piece is coated. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
- Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill pork for 15-20 minutes, flipping occasionally, until charred and cooked through.
- Step 4: Warm tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side.
- Step 5: Top each tortilla with 2 tbsp grilled pork, 1/4 cup pickled onions, and chopped cilantro. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Puerto Rican Mojo-Marinated Pork Tacos take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (45 min prep + 30 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 Puerto Rican Mojo-Marinated Pork Tacos?
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 boneless pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Puerto Rican Mojo-Marinated Pork Tacos?
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 Puerto Rican Mojo-Marinated Pork Tacos for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Puerto Rican Mojo-Marinated Pork Tacos?
Puerto Rican mexican 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★☆☆☆☆
The proportions seem off. Way too much of some ingredients.
