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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Hope says
What a fresh and tasty looking family meal! I love the pineapple salsa on top!
Jacklyn says
Love the sweet and spicy combo! Never thought to put pineapple in my tacos before but these look so good!!!
Annemarie @ justalittlebitofbacon says
What, you don’t roast large hunks of pork every night? Me neither, so ground pork sounds like a great way to bring these tacos home. And the salsa sounds wonderful. I can almost taste the pineapple with the spicy pork.
Janette | Culinary Ginger says
They have so much flavor and I love the natural sweetness from the pineapple.
Cristie | Little Big H says
This looks so lovely and fresh. Can’t wait to taste it for myself.
Carrie says
Mmm love all the spices in this and the pineapple must be so refreshing!
foodtasticmom says
It’s a great combo of sweet, spicy and salty flavors!
Julia says
Good timing! I’ve been craving tacos for a few days now and couldn’t decide what recipe to use! Love the pineapple salsa there!
foodtasticmom says
Thanks so much Julia
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
I am digging that pineapple salsa! These look like a treat for any night of the week. Great recipe.
foodtasticmom says
Thank you Lisa!
ali randall says
The pineapple is on sale and so so sweet right now. I love this idea for dinner that is different than just plain usual tacos. This is my kind of dinner. YUM!
foodtasticmom says
Perfect – I hope you try them!
Swati says
Loved loved loved your stunning pictures . Although I don’t eat pork, your Tacos made me drool. I would love to try this recipe with Chicken. Saving it !
foodtasticmom says
Yes you can absolutely make this recipe with ground chicken. And thank you for the compliment on my photos 🙂
Susie says
This recipe looks so good. Great for a weeknight dinner. I love using ground pork because it is so inexpensive!
foodtasticmom says
Exactly, ground pork is very budget friendly! Thanks for the rating!
Jolly says
This looks so tempting and very fresh. Well I don’t eat pork, your pineapple salsa made me drool. I would love to try this with Chicken. Bookmarked!!
foodtasticmom says
Yep, can easily be made with ground chicken or turkey too! Glad you like the salsa 🙂
Suzy says
Tacos for the win! Thanks for sharing
foodtasticmom says
You’re welcome!
Alida | Simply Delicious says
Those tacos look so great! Yum!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you Alida!
Patty @ Spoonabilities says
These tacos look amazing! I just love the pineapple in them!
foodtasticmom says
Thanks Patty!
Noel Lizotte says
Talk about popular, there’s a whole bunch of reasons this dish is loved! I’m pretty sure the pork and the orange and the cilantro have a lot to do with the flavors. That’s got to be what keeps folks coming back for more.
Adding to my “to make” list.
foodtasticmom says
Awesome. Come back and let us know what you think please!
Allison - Celebrating Sweets says
This is what I want for Cinco de Mayo! These look fabulous!
foodtasticmom says
I hope you make them! Thanks Allison!
Denisse | Le Petit Eats says
I don’t eat meat anymore but I am digging that pineapple salsa!!
foodtasticmom says
You could swap out veggie crumbles for the pork – if you eat those 🙂
Camila says
pineapple and mango salsa sure are my options when I serve Tacos al pastor!! yummm!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you Camila!
Jen says
Sweet and Spicey. Amazing.
foodtasticmom says
Such a great combination. Thanks Jen!
Kisha says
I came across your site as I was looking for ground pork taco recipes. I love that slim white platter you have your tacos on. Is it a certain type of serving platter, that is, does it have a name?
foodtasticmom says
It has been a long time since I purchased it but I’m pretty sure I found it at Home Goods. I just liked the way it looked!
Pam says
Fantastic!! THanks! we are cooking much more often these days and your recipes are always big hits around here!!!
foodtasticmom says
I am happy to hear this. Thank you for the positive comment and review. I really appreciate it!
Chi Town Tiki Boy says
Sounds GREAT! I am a huge El Pastor fan, cannot wait to try. Can I use Chipotle in Adobo sauce in place of Chipotle sauce? Or are they one in the same?
foodtasticmom says
Basically the same, just minus the whole peppers. Enjoy!
Megan says
We made these last night for Cinco de Mayo. They were AMAZING! The heat of the chipotle went so well with the sweet pineapple. The cilantro brought a brightness to the dish, and the lime brought it all together. We’re definitely putting this in our rotation. Maybe every other night 🙂
Thanks for the wonderful recipe!
foodtasticmom says
Your comment made my day. I’m happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe and that you’ll be making them again. Thanks very much for taking the time to rate and comment!
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.