These Pineapple Pulled Pork Tacos are an amazing combination of savory, sweet, and smoky flavors, perfect for a relaxed dinner or meal prep. Made in the slow cooker, this dish requires minimal hands-on time but delivers incredibly tender, juicy pulled pork infused with pineapple and spices. The homemade pineapple BBQ sauce adds an extra layer of deliciousness, making these tacos an irresistible treat!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Pulled Pork:

• 2.5 lbs. pork tenderloin

• 20 oz. canned pineapple chunks with juice

• ¼ cup Tamari or soy sauce

• 2 Tbsp. apricot preserves

• ½ tsp. garlic powder

• ½ tsp. pepper

For the Pineapple BBQ Sauce:

• ¾ cup ketchup

• ¾ cup reserved pineapple chunks

• 3 Tbsp. apricot preserves

• 3 Tbsp. brown sugar

• 1 Tbsp. white wine vinegar

• 2 Tbsp. lime juice

For Serving:

• 16 corn tortillas

• Optional toppings: cilantro, crumbled goat cheese, thinly sliced green onions

Directions

1. Slow Cook the Pork: Place the pork tenderloins in a large slow cooker. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the pineapple juice, soy sauce, apricot preserves, garlic powder, and pepper. Pour this sauce over the pork, adding all but ¾ cup of the pineapple chunks. Set the remaining pineapple aside.

   Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-6 hours. Shred the pork using two forks during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Let it continue cooking for the remaining time.

2. Make the Pineapple BBQ Sauce: In a food processor or blender, combine the ketchup, reserved pineapple chunks, apricot preserves, brown sugar, white wine vinegar, and lime juice. Puree until smooth. Heat the sauce in a saucepan if desired, or serve it chilled.

3. Serve the Tacos: Drain excess liquid from the pulled pork. Serve the pork in corn tortillas and top with homemade pineapple BBQ sauce, cilantro, goat cheese, and green onions, as desired. Enjoy!

Nutrients

• Calories: 490 kcal (per 2 tacos)

• Carbohydrates: 56 g

• Protein: 39 g

• Fat: 12 g

  • Saturated Fat: 6 g

• Cholesterol: 105 mg

• Sodium: 826 mg

• Potassium: 870 mg

• Fiber: 4 g

• Sugar: 27 g

• Vitamin A: 475 IU

• Vitamin C: 12.2 mg

• Calcium: 113 mg

• Iron: 3.2 mg

Why Choose Pineapple Pulled Pork Tacos?

These Pineapple Pulled Pork Tacos are a perfect balance of bold flavors and simple preparation. The combination of pineapple and pork is a classic that never fails to impress. Pineapple not only adds a natural sweetness but also helps tenderize the pork, resulting in juicy, melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork. The homemade pineapple BBQ sauce brings together ketchup, pineapple, apricot preserves, and brown sugar, creating a tangy and sweet sauce that elevates the entire dish.

The slow cooking process ensures that the pork becomes incredibly tender, while the tacos themselves are easy to assemble with your choice of toppings. Whether you enjoy them as a casual meal for your family or a fun taco night with friends, these tacos will delight with every bite.

Nutritional Benefits of Pineapple Pulled Pork Tacos

This dish not only delivers on flavor but also offers a healthy serving of protein and fiber, making it a balanced option for your meals. Each serving of two tacos contains approximately:

• 490 calories, which makes this a filling meal without being overly heavy.

• 39 grams of protein, coming from the tender pork. Protein is essential for muscle repair, immune function, and overall bodily health.

• 56 grams of carbohydrates, largely from the corn tortillas and pineapple. These carbohydrates provide a quick energy boost while the fiber from the pineapple and pork helps with digestion and satiety.

• 12 grams of fat, with 6 grams coming from saturated fat, which is typical for pork. However, the fat in the pulled pork is part of what makes it tender and flavorful.

• 4 grams of fiber, supporting digestive health.

• 27 grams of sugar, mostly from the natural sugars in the pineapple and the apricot preserves used in both the pulled pork and the BBQ sauce.

In addition to macronutrients, these tacos also offer important vitamins and minerals. Each serving provides Vitamin A (475 IU) for healthy vision and immune function, Vitamin C (12.2 mg) for a healthy immune system and skin, Calcium (113 mg) for bone health, and Iron (3.2 mg) to help with oxygen transport in the blood.

How to Make Pineapple Pulled Pork Tacos

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. With the help of a slow cooker, the pork becomes so tender that it practically falls apart on its own, requiring little hands-on effort. Here’s how to make these tacos:

1. Slow Cook the Pork:

   • Start by placing the pork tenderloins into a large slow cooker.

   • In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the pineapple juice, soy sauce (or Tamari for a gluten-free option), apricot preserves, garlic powder, and pepper.

   • Pour this sauce over the pork, making sure to cover it completely. Add all but ¾ cup of the pineapple chunks and set the remaining pineapple aside.

   • Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-6 hours, until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and is tender enough to shred easily. During the last 30 minutes of cooking, use two forks to shred the pork and let it continue cooking for the remaining time.

2. Make the Pineapple BBQ Sauce:

   • While the pork is cooking, prepare the homemade pineapple BBQ sauce. In a food processor or blender, combine the reserved pineapple chunks, ketchup, apricot preserves, brown sugar, white wine vinegar, and lime juice.

   • Puree until smooth. You can heat the sauce in a saucepan if you’d like to serve it warm, or simply chill it and serve it cold, depending on your preference.

3. Assemble the Tacos:

   • Once the pork is cooked and shredded, drain any excess liquid from the pulled pork to avoid soggy tacos.

   • Heat the corn tortillas and fill each one with the shredded pork. Top with a generous amount of the homemade pineapple BBQ sauce.

   • For added flavor and texture, sprinkle with fresh cilantro, crumbled goat cheese, and thinly sliced green onions. These toppings not only add brightness and creaminess but also make the tacos even more flavorful.

4. Serve and Enjoy:

   • Serve the tacos immediately, or store the pulled pork and sauce separately for later. These tacos are great for meal prep and can be enjoyed throughout the week.

Customization and Topping Ideas

The Pineapple Pulled Pork Tacos are highly customizable, and you can easily adjust them to suit your preferences or dietary needs:

• Toppings: While cilantro, goat cheese, and green onions are great choices, feel free to get creative with your toppings. Try adding avocado slices, a drizzle of sour cream, or a bit of pickled jalapeños for extra flavor.

• Tortilla Options: While corn tortillas are traditionally used, you can switch them out for flour tortillas, lettuce wraps, or even rice cakes for a lower-carb alternative.

• Vegetarian Option: If you’re looking for a vegetarian alternative, you can substitute the pulled pork with jackfruit, which has a similar texture and can absorb the sweet and savory flavors of the sauce.

• Gluten-Free Option: Using Tamari instead of soy sauce already makes this recipe gluten-free. Pair it with gluten-free tortillas to make the entire meal suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.

Meal Prep and Leftovers

These Pineapple Pulled Pork Tacos are perfect for meal prep. The slow cooker pulled pork can be made in large batches, and the leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The homemade pineapple BBQ sauce also keeps well in the fridge, so you can easily make the sauce ahead of time and store it for future taco nights.

The pork also freezes well, making it a great option for batch cooking. Just store the shredded pork and BBQ sauce in separate airtight containers, and they’ll be ready for a quick meal whenever you need it.

Conclusion: A Taco Night to Remember

Pineapple Pulled Pork Tacos are a delicious, easy-to-make dish that brings together the best of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors. The slow-cooked pork is incredibly tender and flavorful, while the homemade pineapple BBQ sauce adds a tangy sweetness that elevates the entire dish. Whether you’re looking for a weeknight dinner, meal prep, or a fun taco night with friends, these tacos are sure to be a hit. With minimal effort and maximum flavor, these tacos are a perfect addition to your recipe collection.