Spiced Coconut and Tiki-Style Pulled Pork Tacos

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender slow-cooked pulled pork infused with warm spices and creamy coconut milk, served in soft tortillas with fresh mango salsa. This mexican ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder, coconut milk, ground cumin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 Mexican cuisine 350 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, mix 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp ground coriander, 4 cloves minced garlic, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Rub this spice blend all over 2 lbs pork shoulder.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork shoulder on all sides until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side.
  3. Step 3: Transfer pork to a slow cooker and add 1 cup coconut milk, 1 medium chopped onion, and 2 tbsp lime juice. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours until pork is tender and shreds easily.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, prepare mango salsa by dicing 1 medium mango and mixing with 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro. Set aside.
  5. Step 5: Once pork is cooked, shred it using two forks and stir into the coconut cooking liquid for extra moisture.
  6. Step 6: Warm 8 corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side until pliable.
  7. Step 7: Assemble tacos by filling each tortilla with generous portions of pulled pork and topping with mango salsa. Serve immediately.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Coconut and Tiki-Style Pulled Pork Tacos 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 Spiced Coconut and Tiki-Style Pulled 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 pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Coconut and Tiki-Style Pulled 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 Spiced Coconut and Tiki-Style Pulled Pork Tacos 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 Spiced Coconut and Tiki-Style Pulled Pork Tacos?

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.

Related recipes