Tamarind-Glazed Pork Tacos with Pickled Onions
Juicy pork marinated in a tangy tamarind glaze, served in warm corn tortillas with bright pickled onions for a flavorful Mexican street food experience. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 55 minutes pairs pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes, tamarind paste, honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 1 lb pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tbsp tamarind paste
- 1 tbsp honey
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- for serving lime wedges
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp tamarind paste, 1 tbsp honey, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add 1 lb cubed pork shoulder and toss to coat. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, combine 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1 small thinly sliced red onion in a jar. Let sit at room temperature for 20 minutes to quick-pickle.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated pork and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pork is browned and cooked through.
- Step 4: Warm 8 small corn tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave. Assemble tacos by dividing pork between tortillas, topping with pickled onions and 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing over.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Tamarind-Glazed Pork Tacos with Pickled Onions take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (40 min prep + 15 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 Tacos with Pickled Onions?
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 Tacos with Pickled Onions?
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 Tacos with Pickled Onions 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 Tamarind-Glazed Pork Tacos with Pickled Onions?
Mexican 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.
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