Pork Tacos with Jalapeno Pineapple Slaw
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Flavorful Asian inspired Pork Tacos are topped off with a sweet and spicy jalapeno pineapple slaw, sharp cheddar cheese, and sour cream.
I love summer. It’s my favorite time of year but I have one major problem with it. We don’t have air conditioning and it gets really hot in the kitchen. So while I have time to bake in the summer, I often don’t want to because it gets to hot.
Earlier this year we totally renovated our kitchen. We overhauled everything from the cabinets to the appliances to the light. The good part about this is that when we got rid of the light in the kitchen we added a ceiling fan.
While it isn’t air conditioning, it makes such a difference in the kitchen on a hot day. I still don’t want to spend everyday baking in the kitchen but now I can stand being in their to make a few things during the hottest days.
Even though I’m now able to bake in the kitchen in the summer I still like finding easy meals that I can make quickly on the stove top. This allows me more time to do other things like gardening, reading, and exercising. I recently found a recipe for easy Pork Tacos with Jalapeno Salsa. My husband loves jalapenos so I knew he’d be thrilled with this recipe.
I make a lot of taco recipes but there’s always room for more! One of my favorite summer time taco recipes is Grilled BBQ Pork Tacos with Slaw and Guacamole. Another good one for summer are these Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos because they are made in a slow cooker which doesn’t heat up the kitchen. I also can’t resist a crispy Fish Taco.
I like the way the pork is prepared in this recipe. First it’s marinated then sliced really thin. Finally it’s sauteed in a pan with some vegetables and spices. This makes it tender and flavorful.
Then there is the jalapeno pineapple slaw on the side. Originally it was a salsa but I added some cabbage and other ingredients to make it more like a slaw. If you want a good salsa try my 5 Minute Restaurant Style Salsa recipe.
How do I cut a fresh jalapeno?
Be careful when cutting fresh jalapenos! Cutting raw jalapeños requires some care because they can irritate the skin and eyes. First wash the jalapenos. Then consider wearing gloves when cutting them. I almost always wear gloves to prevent the juice from getting on me and burning. Start by slicing off the stem. Cut the jalapeno into strips if you want a milder flavor without the ribs and seeds or in rounds if you like it hot and spicy with the seeds. After cutting the peppers wash your hands with soap and water and avoid touching your eyes or other sensitive areas until you are sure your hands are free from the jalapeno liquid.
DO I have to use Fresh Jalapenos?
No! I have used fresh jalapenos and they are pretty spicy. Also, I am always worried about getting the juice in my eyes and having it burn. If you want to tone it down a little bit use jarred tamed jalapenos which are milder. I do this a lot to make it easier and less spicy. You can even use a can of green chilies for a milder dose of spice.
The slaw is nice and fresh addition to the tacos that doesn’t require any cooking. It’s sweet and spicy which is a delicious combination with the pork.
Ingredients:
- olive oil (or another oil you normally cook with)
- shallot (if you don’t have a shallot you can mince a quarter of an onion)
- garlic cloves
- fresh jalapenos (or jarred mild jalapenos if you don’t like heat)
- soy sauce
- pork tenderloin or boneless pork chops
- cumin
- brown sugar (light brown sugar is preferred)
- pineapple (I used canned but you can use fresh)
- cilantro
- red onion
- cabbage
- limes (or bottled lime juice)
- flour tortillas (or corn tortillas if you prefer)
- cheddar cheese
- sour cream
To make the jalapeno pineapple slaw combine the pineapple, cilantro, red onion, jalapenos, and cabbage in a bowl. Add in the lime juice, salt, and pepper, and mix well. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Can I make Jalapeno Pineapple salsa instead?
Yes! The original recipe calls for a salsa instead of a slaw. To make the salsa add a half cup of diced cucumber in place of the cabbage. You can also add a tablespoon or two or pineapple juice.
To make the pork for the tacos heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot, garlic, and jalapeno and saute for 2-3 minutes.
Add the thinly sliced pork, cumin, soy sauce, brown sugar, and water and cook for 6-8 minutes or until pork is cooked through.
To serve the taco place pork on a tortilla and sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Top with the jalapeno pineapple slaw and a dollop of sour cream.
These tacos were sweet and spicy. We piled them high with the pork, cheddar cheese, jalapeno slaw, and just a dab of sour cream on top. The tacos are bursting with flavor and are so colorful and delicious. These are the perfect summertime dinner.
If you want a heartier taco add some rice or refried beans to the tortillas. You can also top with homemade salsa, taco sauce, and fresh jalapeno slices.
Pork Tacos with Jalapeno Pineapple Slaw
Make a delicious pork taco with a fresh pineapple and jalapeno salsa topped with cheese and sour cream.
Ingredients
For the pork:
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 shallot, minced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 lb. pork tenderloin (or boneless pork chops) cut in half lengthwise and thinly sliced
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons water
For the Slaw:
- 1 c. fresh pineapple, chopped
- 1 c. cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1/2 c. cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 c. red onion, minced
- 2 jalapenos, seeded and minced
- 2 teaspoons lime juice
- salt and pepper
To put the tacos together:
- 10 small flour tortillas
- 1 c. cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 c. sour cream
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add in the shallot, garlic, and jalapeno and cook for 3-4 minutes.
- Add in the thinly sliced pork, brown sugar, soy sauce, cumin, and water and cook for 6-7 minutes or until the pork is cooked through. Remove from heat.
- In a medium bowl combine all the ingredients for the jalapeno slaw. Toss to combine.
- To make the tacos place some of the pork mixture on a tortilla, sprinkle with cheese, add 1-2 tablespoons of jalapeno salsa, then top with sour cream.
Notes
Adapted from Pinch of Yum
