Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder Tacos with Pineapple Salsa

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Fall-apart tender pork shoulder simmered with spices and served on warm corn tortillas with a sweet-tangy pineapple salsa. This mexican-inspired mexican ready in about 500 minutes pairs trimmed pork shoulder, lime juice, chili powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 395 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.

★ 4.6 (9 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 395 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, mix 1/4 cup lime juice, 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Rub mixture over 2 lbs trimmed pork shoulder.
  2. Step 2: Place pork in slow cooker, add 1/4 cup water, and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours until fork-tender.
  3. Step 3: In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup pineapple chunks, 1/2 diced red onion, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 1/4 cup lime juice, and 1 minced jalapeño; set aside.
  4. Step 4: Shred cooked pork with two forks, then serve on warm corn tortillas topped with pineapple salsa.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder Tacos with Pineapple Salsa take to make?

Total time is about 500 minutes (20 min prep + 480 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 Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder Tacos with Pineapple Salsa?

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 trimmed pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder Tacos with Pineapple Salsa?

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 Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder Tacos with Pineapple Salsa 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 Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder Tacos with Pineapple Salsa?

Mexican 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.

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