The best Ground Pork Tacos are served Al Pastor style with fresh pineapple salsa and an orange chipotle marinade for the ground pork.
(Originally published 1/30/18 and updated for content 7/29/24)
If you like this recipe, check out my Pork Stroganoff made with ground pork next!
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Ground pork is such a great option for family dinners. This “other white meat” is inexpensive in comparison to ground chicken or ground turkey. And it takes on whatever flavors you want to add to it. In this case my tacos al pastor seasoning is a combination of fresh orange juice, chipotle pepper sauce, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic, salt and a little cayenne pepper. The spicy sweet flavor of the pork taco meat pairs perfectly with a simple fresh pineapple salsa. These easy tacos with fresh ingredients are sure to become a family favorite meal!
More favorite ground pork recipes
Ingredients for ground pork tacos recipe
Pork Taco Filling
- Ground Pork – Find ground pork with the other cuts of pork in the grocer’s meat section for these delicious ground pork tacos. Ground pork is not sausage. It is simply lean cuts of pork that are ground up without seasonings. Similar to ground beef, turkey or chicken.
- Orange Juice – I like using fresh squeezed orange juice the best. But to save time use the orange juice from your container in the refrigerator.
- Chipotle Sauce – Canned chipotle sauce is found in the Mexican food aisle – if you can’t find it you can substitute it with the adobo sauce in canned chipotle peppers.
- Smoked Paprika – You can use sweet paprika if that’s what you have on hand. But I like the smoky flavor paired with the pork.
- Cumin – Adds warm, earthy and smoky flavors to the ground pork.
- Salt
- Garlic Powder – I like the convenience and mellow flavor of garlic powder. Use fresh garlic if you prefer.
- Cayenne Pepper – You can omit this is if you want the tacos to be less spicy.
Pineapple Salsa
- Fresh Pineapple – You could use canned pineapple tidbits to make to make this salsa, but it’s not the same as fresh.
- Red Onion – Adds pretty purple color and sharp flavor to the salsa.
- Fresh Cilantro – Cilantro is traditional in fresh salsas. If you can’t eat cilantro, substitute it with fresh parsley or chives.
- Lime Juice – I like fresh lime juice but you can also use bottled.
- Salt
Extras
- Pepper Jack Cheese – Use freshly shredded cheese for best flavor. I like Pepper Jack, but you could use Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese if you prefer.
- Tortillas – Use flour or corn tortillas and be sure to warm them up in the microwave before serving. You can also use hard taco shells or even lettuce wraps if you prefer.
- Variations – Feel free to mix and match with any of your other favorite toppings.
Instructions for taco al pastor
In a large non-stick pan, cook the ground meat over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Breaking it up with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula as you go. Add the orange juice and seasonings. Cook and simmer for 5 – 7 minutes.
Meanwhile toss together the pineapple and rest of the salsa ingredients in a clean bowl and set aside. Serve the pork tacos with corn or flour tortillas, shredded Pepper Jack cheese and the fresh pineapple salsa. Keep scrolling for full list of ingredients and printable recipe card.
Pro tips and FAQ’s
- Ground pork is found where the other prepackaged cuts of pork are displayed in the grocery store – not where the sausage is displayed
- Here’s a video guide for how to cut a fresh pineapple if you’ve never done it before
- Al Pastor style pork tacos are a fusion food combining Lebanese spit-grilled meat with central-Mexican spice and fresh fruit flavors. These are not authentically al pastor but rather inspired by the flavors found in al pastor recipes.
Serving suggestions
I think an obvious pairing for these tacos is chips and Spicy Mango Guacamole. And try my Strawberry Tres Leches Cake for dessert! Plus here’s some delicious street corn recipes from my friends –
Storage directions
Leftover pork taco meat freezes well. Put it in an airtight container and freeze for up to one month. Make the other ingredients fresh again when you want to serve it. Or heat up your frozen taco meat and serve it with rice, refried beans, salsa verde and sour cream, taco bowl style. You can also refrigerator the leftover taco meat in an air tight container for up to three days.
Kitchen tools
- Non stick skillet for cooking the ground pork
- My favorite kitchen knife for cutting the pineapple
- Heat proof spatula set that I use in my kitchen
- Metal cheese grater for freshly grated cheese
Ground Pork Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 1/3 lbs ground pork
- 1/3 cup orange juice
- 3 tbsp canned chipotle sauce
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 1/2 cups fresh pineapple diced
- 1/3 cup red onion finely diced
- 1/3 cup cilantro chopped
- juice of one half lime
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 6 oz Pepper Jack cheese shredded
- flour or corn tortillas
Instructions
- In a bowl combine the pineapple, red onion, cilantro, lime juice and 1/2 teaspoon of salt and set aside.
- In a non-stick skillet over medium heat add the ground pork and cook until no longer pink, breaking up the ground meat with a spatula or wooden spoon.
- Into the cooked pork stir the orange juice, chipotle sauce, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, remaining one teaspoon of salt and cayenne pepper. Stir well and allow to simmer for 5 - 7 minutes.
- Serve the ground pork taco meat with tortillas, the fresh pineapple salsa and shredded Pepper Jack cheese.
Nutrition
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Debbie Kreischer says
Outstanding! This recipe is a keeper!
foodtasticmom says
YAY, so glad you enjoyed these tacos! Thanks for taking the time to rate and comment.