Spiced Rum Pineapple Pulled Pork Tacos
Tender pulled pork simmered in a spiced rum and pineapple sauce, served in soft corn tortillas with fresh cilantro and tangy slaw. This latin american-inspired mexican ready in about 255 minutes pairs pork shoulder, spiced rum, pineapple juice 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 pork shoulder
- 1/3 cup spiced rum
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 12 corn tortillas
- 1/4 cup cilantro leaves
- 2 cups red cabbage, shredded
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a slow cooker, combine 2 lbs pork shoulder, 1/3 cup spiced rum, 1 cup pineapple juice, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Stir to coat the pork evenly.
- Step 2: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours until the pork is tender and pulls apart easily with two forks.
- Step 3: While the pork cooks, mix 2 cups shredded red cabbage with 2 tbsp lime juice and 1 tbsp olive oil in a bowl. Toss well and set aside for slaw.
- Step 4: Once the pork is done, shred it inside the slow cooker and stir it into the cooking juices to soak up flavor.
- Step 5: Warm 12 corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side until pliable.
- Step 6: Assemble tacos by placing a generous scoop of pulled pork on each tortilla, topping with a spoonful of cabbage slaw and sprinkling 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves evenly across the tacos.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Rum Pineapple Pulled Pork Tacos take to make?
Total time is about 255 minutes (15 min prep + 240 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 Rum Pineapple 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 Rum Pineapple 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 Rum Pineapple 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 Rum Pineapple Pulled Pork Tacos?
Latin American 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.