I got this yummy recipe for pulled pork tacos from our cousins, Cory and Kristen. These have the most amazing flavor! Kristen is such a good cook and we love visiting them because they always make us the most delicious food. When we all lived in California, Cory would always push us to step outside our comfort zone with food, and we were so glad he did! So many of our favorite foods are thanks to the Edwards!
Ingredients in Pulled Pork Tacos
Prepared Kalua Pork Corn tortillas Vegetable oil Mango Avocado Salsa Sour cream
Fresh Mango Avocado Salsa
The mango avocado salsa in this recipe complements the pork perfectly. I love the smooth texture of the avocado combined with the sweet mango and fragrant cilantro. It is the perfect topping for these tacos. The best part is, it’s only 4 ingredients:
ripened mango – diced avocados – diced lime – juiced cilantro – finely chopped
Optional Additions
While these tacos are perfect as-is, sometimes it’s fun to switch things up and add a few toppings or ingredients. For a little crunch, try adding some chopped red onion or some red bell pepper to the salsa. Want to kick up the heat? Sriracha is my top choice for adding a little kick. Want to add some cheese? Queso fresco or Cotija cheese make for a great topping too!
Steps to Making Pulled Pork Tacos
What is Pulled Pork?
Pulled pork is pork that is smoked, barbecued, or simply just cooked through until it can be “pulled” apart with two forks (or with your hands). It could be argued that the strands of meat are longer and more tender than pork that is “shredded,” but, really, it is pretty much the same thing. Pulled pork has all sorts of different flavor profiles but the most popular are Caribbean Jerk pulled pork and Hawaiian-style Kalua Pulled pork. For this pork taco recipe we opt for the Hawaiian style pulled pork because we love how the smoky flavor of the pork contrasts with the sweet mango.
Hawaiian Kalua Pork
Kalua pork is Hawaiian-style pulled pork. The flavor comes from the “Kalua” refers to the way in which the meat is cooked — wrapped in banana leaves and slow cooked in an “imu” (an underground oven, or pit). The pork has a smoky flavor and is generally not strongly seasoned or served with sauces because it gets plenty of flavor from the cooking process. An easy way to replicate this flavor is by using your slow cooker, which is what we do for this recipe. You can even wrap the pork in ti leaves or banana leaves to get even more of an authentic flavor. If you happen to have an imu in your backyard, by all means, use that instead. If not, a slow cooker will definitely do the job.
How to Pick a Good Mango
For the Fresh Mango Salsa recipe, you’ll want to start with perfectly ripe mangos. Admittedly, this is a fruit that is best plucked from the islands yourself. However, you can pick a good one at your local grocery store if you know what to look for. When picking a mango, look for one that is slightly soft but not mushy. You can determine this by gently squeezing the fruit. It should be plump and round. If you get a flat mango there is a good chance it’s going to be stringy. To be certain the mango is ripe, smell it near the stem and choose one that smells sweetly of melon and pineapple.
What to Serve with Pulled Pork Tacos
There are so many different sides you can make will pulled pork tacos. Rice is always a good side dish to serve with pork tacos, especially cilantro-lime rice because the lime gives it a little bit of an island flair. Seasoned Black beans also pair well with pulled pork tacos. Read Next: Hawaiian Dessert Recipes
More Hawaiian Inspired Recipes
How to Make Pulled Pork Tacos
Authentic Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Hawaiian Guava Cake
Coconut Cake
Island Pecan Pie
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