slow cooker pork tacos

with cilantro lime slaw
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds pork tenderloin
  • ¾ cup pineapple juice
  • ½ cup low sodium soy sauce
  • cup honey
  • ¼ cup rice wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
  • corn tortillas

CILANTRO LIME SLAW

  • ¼ cup plain greek yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce
  • 1 lime zest + juice
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro
  • 3 cups shredded cabbage
  • 1 cup fresh pineapple

Instructions

  • In the bowl of your slow cooker, combine 2-3 pounds of pork, ¾ cup of  pineapple juice, ½ cup of soy sauce, ⅓ cup of honey, ¼ cup of rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons of ketchup, 4 cloves of garlic, 1 teaspoon of ginger, and 1 tablespoon of chili garlic sauce. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or on HIGH for 4 hours.
  • Just before serving, preheat your broiler to high.
  • Shred with two forks, then transfer to the oven. Watching closely, broil for 1-2 minutes, until the pork caramelizes.
  • Transfer the shredded pork back to the slow cooker and toss with liquid/sauce before serving.
  • Meanwhile, make Cilantro Lime Slaw. In a big mixing bowl, combine the ¼ cup of  yogurt/sour cream, 1 teaspoon of chili garlic sauce, and zest and juice of 1 lime.
  • Add ¼ cup of cilantro, 3 cups of shredded cabbage, 1 cup of fresh diced pineapple, to the bowl. Toss and season to taste with salt.
  • Stuff the shredded pork into the warmed tortillas. Top with slaw and enjoy!

INSTANT POT METHOD

  • In the bowl of your instant pot, combine 2-3 pounds of  pork, ¾ cup of pineapple juice, ½ cup of soy sauce, ½ cup of honey, ¼ cup of rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons of ketchup, 4 cloves of garlic, 1 teaspoon of  ginger, and 1 tablespoon of chili garlic sauce. Cover and cook on high pressure/manual for 8 minutes. Once finished, release the steam with the quick release function.
  • Preheat your broiler to high. Remove the pork from the slow cooker to a sheet pan.  Shred with two forks, then transfer to the oven. Watching closely, broil for 1-2 minutes, until the pork caramelizes.
  • Switch the instant pot to sauté and cook until the sauce thickens, about 5-10 minutes. Stir the caramelized pork into the sauce.
  • Finish by following steps 4-6 from above.  

STOVE TOP METHOD

  • In a large pot or Dutch oven set over medium-high heat, cube the 2-3 pounds of pork and combine it with ¾ cups of pineapple juice, ½ cup of soy sauce, ½ cup of honey, ¼ cup of rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons of ketchup, 4 cloves of garlic, 1 teaspoon of ginger, and 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce. Cover and simmer the pork for 45 minutes – 1 hour. If needed, add water to the sauce if it sauce looks too thick. 
  • Preheat your broiler to high. Remove the pork from the slow cooker to a sheet pan.  Shred with two forms, then transfer to the oven. Watching closely, broil for 1-2 minutes, until the pork caramelizes.
  • Stir the caramelized pork back into the sauce.
  • Finish by following steps 4-6 from above.  

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

  • To complete the meal serve with warm jasmine or basmati rice and beans.

SWAP SUGGESTIONS

  • Vegetarian: Instead of pork, use a combination of diced sweet potatoes and black beans roasted on a sheet tray at 425* F drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with chili powder, salt, and pepper.  FInish with fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro before using as taco filling.
  • Pork: You can swap the pork for 2 lbs. chicken breasts or thighs.