Slow-Roasted Pork Tacos with Fresh Cilantro-Lime Slaw
Tender slow-roasted pork seasoned with traditional Mexican spices, served in warm corn tortillas topped with a bright and crunchy cilantro-lime slaw. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 200 minutes pairs pork shoulder, olive oil, ground cumin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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
- 2 lbs pork shoulder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 medium, thinly sliced yellow onion
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 2 cups, shredded green cabbage
- 1/2 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/4 tsp for slaw salt
- 1 small, seeded and minced (optional) jalapeño
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. Rub 2 lbs pork shoulder with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper evenly, then place it in a roasting pan with 1 medium thinly sliced yellow onion around it. Cover tightly with foil and roast for 3 hours until pork is very tender and shreds easily.
- Step 2: While the pork roasts, combine 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 2 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tsp honey, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1 small minced jalapeño (optional) in a bowl. Toss well and refrigerate to let flavors meld.
- Step 3: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side until pliable and slightly toasted.
- Step 4: When pork is done, shred it with two forks and mix with the roasted onions and pan juices for maximum flavor.
- Step 5: Assemble tacos by placing a generous scoop of shredded pork on each tortilla, topping with the cilantro-lime slaw, and serving immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Roasted Pork Tacos with Fresh Cilantro-Lime Slaw take to make?
Total time is about 200 minutes (20 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 Slow-Roasted Pork Tacos with Fresh Cilantro-Lime Slaw?
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 pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Roasted Pork Tacos with Fresh Cilantro-Lime Slaw?
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-Roasted Pork Tacos with Fresh Cilantro-Lime Slaw 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-Roasted Pork Tacos with Fresh Cilantro-Lime Slaw?
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.
