Pork & Pineapple Tacos

3.3
(3)
3 Reviews

Plan ahead so you can use your slow cooker to prepare the pulled pork for these tacos. This recipe is a better-for-you twist on the classic tacos al pastor. Pork loin is a lean cut that's a healthier option than traditional pork shoulder, which has more fat.

By
Sara Haas, RDN, LDN
Sara Haas Headshot
Sara Haas, RDN, LDN

Sara is a food and nutrition expert with formal training in culinary arts. She has been a registered and licensed dietitian since 2002 and a professional chef since 2008. She works as a consultant chef and dietitian with a focus on freelance writing, recipe development and food photography. Sara is the author of the Taco! Taco! Taco! cookbook and co-author of the Fertility Foods Cookbook. Her cooking, nutrition and food expertise have been featured in all forms of media. She also loves conducting cooking demonstrations and enjoys speaking at conferences, expos and other engagements.

EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
Updated on April 18, 2024
Tested by
EatingWell Test Kitchen
Eating Well Bio Page
Tested by EatingWell Test Kitchen

The EatingWell Test Kitchen is comprised of a group of culinary professionals who develop and test our recipes. Our recipes go through a rigorous process, which includes testing by trained recipe testers, using different equipment (e.g., gas and electric stoves) and a variety of tools and techniques to make sure that it will really work when you make it at home. Testers shop major supermarkets to research availability of ingredients. Finally, a Registered Dietitian reviews each recipe to ensure that we deliver food that's not only delicious, but adheres to our nutrition guidelines as well. Learn more about our food philosophy and nutrition parameters.

Meet the EatingWell Test Kitchen
Reviewed by Dietitian
Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD
A portrait of Breana Killeen, M.P.H., RD
Reviewed by Dietitian Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD

Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H, RD, is a Chinese and Jewish chef and dietitian who has worked in all facets of the food world. She is a recipe developer, culinary nutritionist and marketing specialist with more than 15 years of experience creating editorial and digital content for top food and kitchen brands.

EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
8127297.jpg
Prep Time:
30 mins
Additional Time:
7 hrs
Total Time:
7 hrs 30 mins
Servings:
6
Yield:
12 tacos
Nutrition Profile:
Diabetes-Friendly Nut-Free Dairy-Free Soy-Free Egg-Free Gluten-Free
Jump to Nutrition Facts
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon chili powder

  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika

  • 1 teaspoon packed light brown sugar

  • ¾ teaspoon salt, divided

  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper

  • 1 (2 pound) pork loin roast, trimmed

  • ⅓ cup apple juice

  • ½ cup lime juice

  • 2 cups finely diced fresh pineapple (about 1/2 small pineapple)

  • 1 cup finely diced seeded cucumber

  • ¼ cup finely diced red onion

  • 2 tablespoons cider vinegar

  • 12 6-inch corn tortillas, warmed

  • 2 cups shredded red cabbage

Directions

  1. Combine chili powder, paprika, brown sugar, 1/2 tsp. salt, garlic powder, and pepper in a small bowl.

  2. Place pork in a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Rub the spice mixture all over the pork. Pour apple juice around the pork. Cover and cook on Low until the pork is fork-tender, 6 to 7 hours.

  3. Meanwhile, combine lime juice and the remaining 1/4 tsp. salt in a medium bowl. Add pineapple, cucumber, and onion; toss to combine. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

  4. Skim off visible fat from the juices in the slow cooker. Using two forks, shred the meat. Stir in vinegar.

  5. To assemble tacos: Place a generous 1/4 cup pulled pork on each tortilla and add a drizzle of the cooking liquid. Top with about 2 1/2 Tbsp. shredded cabbage and about 3 Tbsp. of the pineapple salsa.

Tips

Equipment: 5- to 6-qt. slow cooker

To make ahead: Prepare spice rub (Step 1) up to 24 hours ahead. Refrigerate salsa (Step 3) for up to 1 day.

Originally appeared: Diabetic Living Magazine, Summer 2020

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

306 Calories
5g Fat
31g Carbs
35g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Serving Size 2 tacos (2 tortillas + about 1/2 cup pork + 1/3 cup cabbage + 1/3 cup salad)
Calories 306
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 31g 11%
Dietary Fiber 4g 14%
Total Sugars 11g
Protein 35g 70%
Total Fat 5g 6%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 98mg 33%
Sodium 429mg 19%
Potassium 845mg 18%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Related Articles

6389302.jpg
Pork Carnitas
4 hrs 10 mins
8127368.jpg
Easy Shrimp Tacos
30 mins
3759414.jpg
Hawaiian Steak Fajitas with Grilled Pineapple Salsa
30 mins
5454217.jpg
Cajun-Style Pork and Shrimp Pasta
3 hrs 45 mins
4479124.jpg
Slow-Cooker Beef Tacos with Rhubarb Salsa
4 hrs 45 mins
6904121.jpg
Slow-Cooker Carne Picada Tacos with Avocado Salsa
8 hrs 30 mins
6272025.jpg
Grilled Blackened Shrimp Tacos
20 mins
5368702.jpg
Caribbean Bowls
55 mins
6211481.jpg
Italian Pork with Mashed Sweet Potatoes
4 hrs 20 mins
6236865.jpg
Pork & Green Chile Stew
4 hrs 25 mins
8127792.jpg
Cilantro-Lime Chicken Tacos
1 hr 15 mins
6610043.jpg
Chipotle Skirt Steak Tacos with Smoky Tomatillo Salsa
35 mins
6318685.jpg
Shredded Chicken Tacos
3 hrs
5454214.jpg
Hungarian Pork Goulash
3 hrs 30 mins
5973123.jpg
Slow-Cooker Chile-Orange Chicken Tacos
4 hrs 30 mins
8124053.jpg
Black Bean Salad with Grilled Pork Cutlets
30 mins