Tiki-Spiced Pulled Pork Lettuce Wraps

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Slow-cooked pulled pork infused with warm island spices, served in crisp lettuce cups for a fresh, handheld meal. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 260 minutes pairs medium, diced yellow onion, minced garlic cloves, pineapple juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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: 240 min Serves 6 Caribbean cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 2 lbs pork shoulder chunks into a slow cooker. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 cup pineapple juice, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp ground allspice, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Stir gently to combine seasonings and coat the pork. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours, until pork is very tender and shreds easily.
  3. Step 3: Remove pork from slow cooker and shred with two forks, discarding excess fat. Return shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir to coat with cooking juices.
  4. Step 4: To serve, spoon generous portions of pulled pork into 12 large romaine or butter lettuce leaves. Garnish each with fresh cilantro leaves and serve with lime wedges for squeezing.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Tiki-Spiced Pulled Pork Lettuce Wraps take to make?

Total time is about 260 minutes (20 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 Tiki-Spiced Pulled Pork Lettuce Wraps?

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 medium, diced yellow onion from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Tiki-Spiced Pulled Pork Lettuce Wraps?

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 Tiki-Spiced Pulled Pork Lettuce Wraps 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 Tiki-Spiced Pulled Pork Lettuce Wraps?

Caribbean 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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