Easy Ground Pork Tacos

For exact ingredient amounts and instructions, see the full recipe card below. 

• Ground Pork: Ground pork is richer and more flavorful than ground turkey and stays juicier than lean ground beef in a skillet, which makes it ideal for taco filling. It usually doesn’t release much excess fat, but if yours does, drain it before adding the spices so the filling doesn’t turn greasy. If you’re using very lean ground pork, leave any fat in the pan for flavor.
• Red Onion: Diced and sautéed until soft and fragrant before the pork goes in, this builds a flavor base rather than just mixing raw onion into the meat. Sweet onion or shallot both work as substitutes.
• Lime Juice: This is what keeps the filling from tasting flat. The acidity brightens all the spices and balances the richness of the pork. Add lime zest along with the juice if you want an extra punch of citrus flavor.
• Honey: The ingredient that makes this taste like tacos al pastor instead of standard taco night. It rounds out the chipotle heat and pulls the spices together into a cohesive glaze on the meat rather than a loose seasoning. Don’t skip it.
• Spices: A homemade blend of cumin, chili powder, paprika, oregano, and chipotle chili pepper, the chipotle is what gives this filling its smoky depth and mild heat. Store-bought taco seasoning works in a pinch, but the chipotle pepper is what makes this recipe distinct, so add at least a pinch of it regardless.
• Corn Tortillas: Corn tortillas hold up better to a juicy filling and add a slightly nutty flavor that complements the pork. Heat them directly over a gas flame or in a dry skillet until they get a little char, it takes 30 seconds and makes a noticeable difference. Flour tortillas work too if that’s your preference.

Ways to Modify These Tacos:

• Spices: You can add other spices to this recipe like garlic powder, onion powder, taco seasoning, Italian seasoning, coriander, allspice, cloves, thyme or cinnamon.
• Salsa: Salsa is my favorite addition to tacos. Try Salsa Verde, Homemade Salsa, Avocado Tomatillo Salsa, or this Watermelon Cucumber Salsa.
• Vegetables: You can sauté additional vegetables with the onions. I like poblano peppers, bell peppers, corn or carrots. 
• Beans: Adding beans into the pork mixture is a great option. Try black beans or red beans. 
• Coleslaw: Top your tacos with a zesty and crunchy coleslaw made from shredded cabbage, carrots, and a tangy vinaigrette.Try my Mango Cabbage Coleslaw, Easy Mexican Coleslaw or this Healthy Coleslaw. 
• Heat: Adjust the heat level by using different types of chili peppers like chopped jalapeños or habeneros or hot sauces.
• Other Garnishes: A few other delicious toppings I like adding are these Pickled Red Onions, Pickled Vegetables, or this Easy Curtido. 

How Do You Make Pork Tacos?

Step 1: Cook Pork: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté for 2 minutes until it starts to become fragrant. Add the garlic and sauté for 2 minutes. Add the ground pork and cook until there is no pink left and it is cooked through. Turn the heat down to low and add in the lime juice and honey and stir. Sprinkle in the cumin, chili powder, paprika, oregano, chipotle chili pepper, salt and pepper and stir until combined. Set aside.