Tacos that are long on flavor and short on prep time are a weeknight gift. These quick ground pork tacos have a spiced, orange juice spiked filling plus a crunchy, cool corn and cabbage slaw to make your family wish every day was taco Tuesday!
These tacos are inspired by a couple of my favorite Mexican foods, tacos al pastor and esquites. Obviously, I didn't try to mimic the texture or preparation of pork al pastor. That's a labor of love for a weekend project! I did, however, incorporate the chiles and citrus in the speedy weeknight version. I added the flavors of esquites to the slaw with chili powder, cilantro, lime juice, and fresh corn cut right from the cob.
We love quick stovetop meals for busy weeknights. Try these Bacon Cheeseburger Subs or this Roasted Red Pepper Chicken for some new speedy dinner recipes to add to your repertoire.
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Ingredients
I include ingredient notes here when I think they’ll be helpful, including ways to source, any preparation tips, or why I've chosen a particular ingredient. Be sure to check out the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and their quantities!
- Ground Pork: You will find ground pork in any regular supermarket, just make sure you aren't accidentally buying seasoned pork, i.e. sausage! For the best price, I buy large cuts of lean pork loin and grind it myself.
- Ground Spices: I use ground spices like garlic, onion powder, chili powder, and coriander to make the prep really speedy. It's so much easier than dicing up onion or mincing garlic but the flavors are still represented.
- Orange Juice: Pork and citrus are a natural pairing so I use the juice to help deglaze the pan and make a sauce that keeps the pork moist and well-seasoned.
- Cornstarch: I wanted the orange juice and the spices to cling to the ground pork, so I added cornstarch to the recipe to give the pork filling a saucy texture. Cornstarch is a great thickener, but only add the dried powder to cold liquids or you will get thick clumps in your final mixture.
- Shredded Cabbage: Slice the cabbage as thinly as you can, if you have a mandoline this is an easy process. I just cut mine with a sharp knife. I used basic green cabbage here, but purple cabbage would be a pretty contrast! You can also purchase pre-shredded cabbage or a simple slaw mix near the bagged salads in the supermarket.
- Corn: When sweet corn is in season, you can cut it right off the cob and use it in the slaw without cooking it. Otherwise, thaw some frozen corn or drain a can of corn and use the kernels.
- Lime Juice: Please use fresh juice! It makes a big difference in the final flavor of the dish, plus you'll want some extra limes on hand for garnishing the tacos.
- Mayonnaise: Just a bit of mayonnaise makes the slaw come together without being too heavy. Miracle Whip is not the same thing, it's not even up for debate.
- Cilantro: Use both the leaves and the stems of fresh cilantro because there's so much flavor in those stems! If cilantro is not for you, I'd suggest leaving it out and maybe adding some finely sliced red onion.
- Corn or Flour Tortillas: Use whichever you prefer. Steam them or heat them directly over the flame of your gas burner to make them pliable enough for folding into tacos without cracking.
- Additional Taco Toppings: These tacos pair so well with some avocado, extra lime, and thinly sliced jalapeño rings.
Prepare the Corn and Cabbage Slaw
This crunchy corn coleslaw adds a great texture contrast to the tender pork filling.
Shred the cabbage and break up any layers by tossing it around with a set of tongs. Slice the corn kernels right off the cob or thaw and drain the corn kernels from the freezer or can. Add the cabbage and corn to a large bowl.
In a medium bowl, combine the lime juice, mayonnaise, salt, pepper, cilantro, and chili powder. Whisk this until the mixture is smooth and then pour it over the cabbage and corn. Toss to coat the slaw and set it aside.
Cook the Ground Pork Filling
Add the orange juice and water to a small bowl or (my favorite method) to a jelly jar with a tight-fitting lid. Add the cornstarch and then whisk the mixture or shake it until the cornstarch is well combined. Set the cornstarch slurry aside and start the pork in a skillet on medium-high.
Brown the pork, breaking up any clumps with a spoon. Add the dried spices and salt and let those toast for about thirty seconds. Then pour in the cornstarch and orange juice slurry and stir to combine everything. Cook for about two minutes and you'll have a silky, well-seasoned pork filling all ready to go!
Assemble the Tacos
Warm your tortillas by grilling them directly over the burner or steaming them in a clean, damp towel in the microwave. Assemble the tacos by adding avocado first to one half of the tortilla, then spooning the ground pork mixture down the center. Top the pork with the corn and cabbage slaw. Then add the jalapeños and serve with lime wedges for extra tang.
Substitutions and Variations
There's no reason to take this taco recipe too seriously, feel free to make some adjustments to the recipe to suit your tastes. Here are some suggested changes:
- Swap the Meat - Use Ground turkey or chicken instead of pork for the filling.
- Add Cheese - Both cotija cheese and queso fresco are delicious crumbled over the top of these tacos. The kids are always a fan of some shredded cheddar cheese on their tacos.
- Add more toppings - In addition to avocado, lime, and jalapeño rings, you can add pickled onions, salsa, cilantro leaves, a sprinkle of tajín, or a dollop of sour cream.
Make This Recipe Kid Friendly
There isn't a kid in this house that likes spice yet, so the jalapeños are very optional. The pork mixture isn't spicy at all, so I let my kids choose alternate toppings for their tacos. Shredded cheese, mild salsa, lettuce, and sour cream are all great toppings for ground pork tacos!
Some kiddos will like the slaw; the natural sweetness of the corn goes a long way. I add a small serving on the side of the tacos to let them have a taste with no pressure.
Storage
Store the slaw, taco filling, and any leftover tortillas or toppings separately in the refrigerator for up to two days. The seasonings in the slaw will pull some moisture from the cabbage and corn, so strain it before adding to the tacos. Reheat the pork filling in the microwave or in a small skillet or saucepan on the stovetop.
Make-Ahead Options
This recipe is super quick, but if you want to save even more time the ground pork mixture can be made up to two days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
The corn and cabbage slaw holds its texture pretty well for a day, so you can make this in the morning, toss it in the fridge, and then serve it at dinner time.
Simply reheat the meat in a saucepan or the microwave and serve with steamed tortillas and the slaw. Dinner could be on the table in 10 minutes with some planning ahead!
FAQ
Sausage can be made from a variety of meats and includes spices, salt, and herbs for flavoring. Ground pork has no additional spices or salt. Use only ground pork for this recipe, not pork sausage.
Yes, with the right equipment. I use a grinder attachment to my Kitchen Aid mixer, but you can purchase meat grinders that attach to your kitchen counter or use your food processor, pulsing to break up chunks of pork loin into a coarse grind.
Pair these ground pork tacos with refried beans, cilantro lime rice, or just raw trimmed vegetables like radishes, carrots, celery, or bell peppers
More Tex-Mex Favorites
Tacos, burritos, and enchiladas are staples in this house when we want to bring the whole family to the table with a little enthusiasm. Here are some great recipes to try next:
Pairing Suggestions
These are my favorite recipes to serve with these ground pork tacos:
Try It and Share
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Recipe
Quick Ground Pork Tacos with Corn and Cabbage Slaw
Ingredients
Ground Pork Filling
- 1 lb. pork (ground)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon coriander (ground)
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup orange juice
- 2 teaspoon cornstarch
- ¼ cup water
Corn and Cabbage Slaw
- 2 tablespoon lime juice (fresh squeezed)
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper (ground)
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 2 cups cabbage (finely shredded)
- ½ cup corn kernels (from frozen, fresh off the cob, or drained canned corn)
- ¼ cup cilantro stems and leaves (finely chopped)
Additional Taco Fixings
- 8 corn or flour taco-sized tortillas
- 1 avocado, sliced or mashed
- 1 jalapeno, sliced into rings
Instructions
Prepare the Slaw
- Finely shred the cabbage with a sharp knife. Cut the corn from the cob or thaw and drain the corn. Chop the cilantro leaves and stems.
- In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, lime juice, salt, pepper, and chili powder using a small whisk.
- Add the cabbage, corn, and cilantro to the dressing mixture and toss to coat.
- Set aside until assembling the tacos.
Prepare the Pork Filling
- Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground pork and cook until no longer pink, breaking up the chunks with a spatula.
- Add the garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, coriander, and salt and sauté with the pork for 30-60 seconds to toast the spices.
- Combine the orange juice, cornstarch, and ¼ cup water in a small bowl or jelly jar and stir or shake to dissolve the cornstarch.
- Add the orange juice slurry to the pork and stir to deglaze the pan and combine the ingredients.
- Cook for 2 minutes, until the sauce is thickened and coats the pork. Remove from the heat.
Assemble the Tacos
- Char the tortillas, if desired, or simply warm them with a clean, damp kitchen towel in the microwave for 30-60 seconds.
- Fill each tortilla with avocado, a scoop of the pork filling, and a pile of the slaw. Top with jalapeno rings.
Notes
Nutrition facts are sometimes provided below and are calculated using an online calculator. With specific brands of ingredients and additions, omissions, or substitutions the nutrition facts may change. We encourage you to use your own nutrition facts caculator to obtain the most accurate nutrition facts for your meal.
Cassie @ Plan. Eat. Post. Repeat. says
Please don't hesitate to comment and ask any questions about the recipe!