Sweet Plantain and Pulled Pork Tacos with Spicy Avocado Sauce
Soft corn tortillas filled with smoky pulled pork and caramelized sweet plantains, topped with a creamy, spicy avocado sauce. This latin american-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 200 minutes blends trimmed pork shoulder, olive oil, smoked paprika into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. 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 pork shoulder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 large, peeled and sliced 1/2-inch thick ripe plantains
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 1 medium ripe avocado
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 small, seeded and chopped jalapeño
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. Rub 2 lbs pork shoulder with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Place in a roasting pan, cover tightly with foil, and cook for 3 hours until meat is tender and shreds easily.
- Step 2: While pork cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat and sauté 2 large sliced ripe plantains for about 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and caramelized. Remove and keep warm.
- Step 3: In a blender, combine 1 medium ripe avocado, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1 small seeded and chopped jalapeño, 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro. Blend until smooth and creamy, adding a tablespoon of water if needed.
- Step 4: Warm 8 small corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side until pliable. Shred the pulled pork with forks, then assemble tacos by layering pork, caramelized plantains, and drizzling with spicy avocado sauce. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sweet Plantain and Pulled Pork Tacos with Spicy Avocado Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 200 minutes (20 min prep + 180 min cook). A small batch typically covers several meals in the week — store as the recipe directs.
How do I store leftover Sweet Plantain and Pulled Pork Tacos with Spicy Avocado Sauce?
Transfer to an airtight jar and refrigerate for up to 5–7 days. Most sauces freeze well for up to 2 months — portion into small containers or freezer bags so you can thaw only what you need. Stir before serving; cream- or yogurt-based sauces may separate on standing.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sweet Plantain and Pulled Pork Tacos with Spicy Avocado Sauce?
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 Sweet Plantain and Pulled Pork Tacos with Spicy Avocado Sauce 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 Sweet Plantain and Pulled Pork Tacos with Spicy Avocado Sauce?
Latin American 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.
