Smoked Pineapple and Pork Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw
Tender smoked pork paired with caramelized pineapple and crisp cilantro lime slaw wrapped in warm corn tortillas for a smoky tropical taco. This mexican-inspired pork ready in about 320 minutes pairs fresh pineapple slices, small corn tortillas, shredded green cabbage for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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, trimmed and cut into chunks pork shoulder
- 6 slices, fresh pineapple slices
- 1 cup, soaked in water for 30 minutes smoke chips
- 12 small corn tortillas
- 2 cups, shredded green cabbage
- 1/2 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp, divided salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat smoker to 225°F using 1 cup soaked smoke chips. Season 2 lbs pork shoulder chunks with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp ground cumin.
- Step 2: Place pork in smoker and smoke for 4-5 hours until tender and internal temperature reaches 195°F.
- Step 3: During the last 30 minutes, grill 6 pineapple slices over medium heat for 3 minutes per side until caramelized and slightly charred.
- Step 4: While pork smokes, prepare slaw by mixing 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp honey, and 1/2 tsp salt in a bowl. Toss well.
- Step 5: Once pork is done, shred it finely with two forks and mix with chopped grilled pineapple.
- Step 6: Warm 12 corn tortillas on a hot skillet for 30 seconds each side. Fill each tortilla with a scoop of shredded pork and pineapple mixture, then top with a generous spoonful of cilantro lime slaw. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Smoked Pineapple and Pork Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw take to make?
Total time is about 320 minutes (20 min prep + 300 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 Smoked Pineapple and Pork Tacos with 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 fresh pineapple slices from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Smoked Pineapple and Pork Tacos with 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 Smoked Pineapple and Pork Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw 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 Smoked Pineapple and Pork Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw?
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.