Sweet and Spicy Pork and Pineapple Tacos
Monday kind of screams for some type of easy, no-frills meal that may or may not save your life this week, don’t you think?
These sweet and spicy pork and pineapple tacos may just be the thing you need to remember that Wednesday nights really aren’t all that bad (for some reason, Wednesday nights are my least favorite night in the history of ever; I pretty much have a midweek life crisis each time they roll around).
I’ve made these pork tacos at least three or four times in the last couple of months and while they may appear a bit plain and simple at first sight, the warm and sweet flavors infused in the pineapple and pork mixture are totally amazing.
Of course, you could drop pounds of additional toppings onto the ready-to-eat tacos but I can honestly say, we prefer these babies just the way they are. A little tender pork, bites of juicy pineapple, a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and a tasty tortilla.
Can we talk tortillas for a minute? I used to be anti-corn tortillas but I’ve adjusted my narrow mindedness over the years (it shifted when a dear friend in Minnesota’s mother visiting from Mexico made homemade corn tortillas and I think I ate 84; they may be the best things I’ve ever eaten in my life).
I don’t make homemade tortillas every time the occasion calls but I do recommend shopping for a brand you really love. It will make or break the dinner you just slaved over.
Now that I have access to a few more options, I love the corn + wheat small tortillas from Trader Joe’s. I stock up every time I go and keep them in my freezer. They’re my favorite storebought tortillas of all time.
As for flour tortillas, I usually end up with the Mission brand (or something similar from the grocery store) or often I buy the uncooked tortillas from Costco that sizzle up in minutes on the griddle.
If I can swing it, homemade flour tortillas are incredible with these tacos (they can also be made ahead of time and frozen). Actually, homemade tortillas are just incredible in general.
And just between you and me, this delicious pork and pineapple taco filling is also pretty darn amazing eaten without any tortilla at all.
I’m guilty of snitching piece after piece out of the skillet before dinner when no one’s looking (those tasty morsels are totally worth getting busted by the 7-year old who was hiding under the kitchen table).
Roasted Asparagus (or broccoli, same method just a different veggie)
Creamy 5-Cup Fruit Salad
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You have a few options for pineapple here. I've made this recipe using a 20 ounce can of pineapple chunks - draining the juice and reserving 1/4 cup for the recipe and using the pineapple in the tacos. I've also used fresh pineapple and opened one of those small 6-ounce cans of pineapple juice to use in the recipe (using 1/4 cup and reserving the rest to use in a future smoothie or something like that). As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.Sweet and Spicy Pork and Pineapple Tacos
Ingredients
Instructions
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The family loved these! Especially my husband:) it’s definitely on the favorites list!
I made this in our pressure cooker by sautéing the meat, garlic, and spices, then adding the pineapple juice and a little extra water, and cooking on the meat/stew setting. Once the meat was tender I shredded it then added the fresh pineapple and cilantro. Delicious! Thanks for a great recipe!
Awesome about the pressure cooker conversion!
We loved these! They’re so easy and my husband couldn’t stop raving! Thanks so much!
Could you direct me to your recipe for homemade corn or flour tortillas? I woul really appreciate this. Thank you. Kathleen
Here is the link:
http://www.melskitchencafe.com/step-by-step-homemade-tortillas-white-whole-wheat-versions/
Love this recipe! I sliced up half a Vidalia onion, an orange pepper and a yellow pepper to add within using the same amount of seasoning as the recipe stated. Delicious and so tasty! My “meat and potatoes” man liked them so much he retrieved the leftovers from the fridge before bed and polished them off. So no lunch leftovers. 🙁
By the way, the measuring spoons are terrific! Love my new kitchen tools. Our family is so very appreciative of your sharing so many wonderful recipes, great ideas, wisdom, humor, and motivation adding so much blessing to our lives.
I made these this week and they were delish! The next day my husband and I took the filling in our lunches and mixed with some brown rice, sour cream and shredded cheese…also really good! Thanks for another great recipe!
My husband and I love the TortillaLand brand of tortillas. They are pretty natural (flour ones only have like 5 ingredients) and you get them from the refridgerator section. You cook them up on a skillet right before serving. I’ve never gone back to regular tortillas. Can’t wait to try the recipe!
My brother is a missionary in Mexico, and there is a lady there that supports her family by making and selling tortillas. Authentic, handmade, and amazing. She ships boxfuls all over. There are quite a few packages in a box, but most of us either split them with friends or freeze them. I think they are like $3 for a pkg of 10-12 if you are interested!
I want her info! asays@centurylink.net
These look delicious, Mel! I’ve got to get some of those TJ’s tortillas a.s.a.p. so I can make this!
Ah, man, another reason we need a trader joe’s around here! I really miss that place.
These sound and look so good. I so appreciate quick, easy, and delicious recipes. Thank you, Mel. Pork tenderloin is now on my grocery list. And we have always preferred the corn tortillas.
Looks delicious! If you have a Whole Foods near you, you should try their whole corn tortillas. They are really good and made of whole corn.
Loving the Mobile site! Amazing! This taco looks fantastic. Totally making them. probably use pineapple salsa instead. We eat that stuff by the bucket loads. Thanks for another home run Mel! You rock!
Speaking of Trader Joe’s, I would love to know what your favorite things to buy there are (have you already posted a list and I can’t find it?)
I think I’ve posted one in the comments somewhere but I can’t remember so here’s some of my favorites (I have so many but these are the ones I can think of off the top of my head):
Beet hummus
Corn + Wheat tortillas
Dark chocolate peanut butter cups
Raspberry and Cream bars (frozen)
Mango and Cream bars (frozen)
Orange champagne vinegar
Quinoa pasta
Cookie butter (the smooth and the crunchy kind)
Potstickers (frozen)
Pickled beets
Bread and butter sweet pickles
Pita crackers (whole grain)
Cinnamon cats cookies
Alphabet crackers (in the round plastic tub)
Dark chocolate peanut butter salted caramel truffles
Light coconut milk
I know I’m forgetting a million things but this is a start!
What would be your next favorite choice of meat if I substituted the pork?
You could try chicken…just keep an eye on the cooking time so it doesn’t dry out.
This looks fantastic! I’m always on the hunt for quick, easy weeknight meals. We are lucky enough to live right by a fantastic grocery store where they make fresh flour and corn tortillas right in front of you, every day. Once we tasted fresh, we could never go back!
Yum – thank you Mel.
I don’t often use pork for tacos…I don’t know why! These look delicious and would be a good change for our taco nights!