Tamarind-Glazed Pork Shoulder Tacos

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

Soft corn tortillas filled with tender, slow-cooked pork shoulder glazed with a tangy tamarind sauce, topped with fresh pineapple salsa for a bright contrast. This mexican-inspired pork ready in about 215 minutes pairs cut into large chunks pork shoulder, tamarind paste, orange juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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: 195 min Serves 6 Mexican cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1/4 cup tamarind paste, 1/2 cup orange juice, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp chipotle powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to make the marinade.
  2. Step 2: Add 3 lbs pork shoulder chunks to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
  3. Step 3: Preheat oven to 300°F. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe pot over medium-high heat. Brown the marinated pork pieces on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
  4. Step 4: Pour the remaining marinade over the pork, cover the pot with a lid, and transfer to the oven. Cook low and slow for 3 hours until pork is fork-tender.
  5. Step 5: While pork cooks, prepare pineapple salsa by mixing 1 cup finely diced pineapple, 1/4 cup finely diced red onion, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 2 tbsp lime juice, and 1 minced jalapeño in a bowl. Refrigerate until serving.
  6. Step 6: Once pork is tender, shred it with two forks and toss with the pan juices and tamarind glaze.
  7. Step 7: Warm 12 corn tortillas on a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side. Serve shredded pork in tortillas topped with pineapple salsa.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Tamarind-Glazed Pork Shoulder Tacos take to make?

Total time is about 215 minutes (20 min prep + 195 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 Tamarind-Glazed Pork Shoulder 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 tamarind paste from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Tamarind-Glazed Pork Shoulder 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 Tamarind-Glazed Pork Shoulder 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 Tamarind-Glazed Pork Shoulder Tacos?

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.

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