Spicy Pork Tacos with Red Cabbage Slaw

Published: March 11, 2018 • Modified: March 5, 2024 • by Author: Analida • Word count:741 words. • About 4 minutes to read this article. • This post may contain affiliate links.

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Here is a quick and easy weeknight meal for taco Tuesday made with ground pork. Spicy pork tacos with red cabbage slaw made with Vietnamese chili garlic sauce have a nice kick of heat you will love.

two tacos on a white plate with red cabbage, coriander, and lime wedges

There is this craft brewery in my town that has the weathered look and feel of a cozy, intimate authentic Irish pub. Its name is Lavery Brewing Company. The interior atmosphere is so authentic, that there is even a flag hanging on the wall that bears the emblem of the red hand of Ulster.

tacos on plates with lime wedges and bowls of taco meat and taco toppings

Tacos with a pop of color

The menu is small, but the offerings are great. One of my favorite things to eat there is the spicy pork tacos with red cabbage slaw. This dish definitely has a kick! Just for the record, the red cabbage slaw was completely my idea. It adds a pop of color, and crunch. For me eating, is all about touching upon all the senses.

I tried these tacos for the first time a few months ago when my daughter came home for a visit. She loves micro breweries, so my husband and I decided to take her to Lavery. We all ordered different appetizers so we could all try everyone else's. We always do this!I took a bite of the tacos, and was convinced right away that I had to recreate the flavor.

two pork tacos on a plate with cilantro and lime wedges with bowls of toppings in the background

What gives these a kick?

Vietnamese chili garlic sauce. This product is made by the same company that makes Sriracha. Now, I must tell you that the sauce is more chili than garlic; you can tell by the red color. As with all recipes, you can adjust the quantity of chili garlic sauce to your palate. I decided to add ginger paste to the meat mixture to enhance the flavor. The dashes of brown sugar and cinnamon add depth to the flavor.

CJust a couple of suggestions: you can use a dollop of sour cream to tame down the intensity of the chili garlic sauce. Or, for a different twist, you can use creme fraiche. Also, I used lean ground pork in this recipe, and you can certainly make it ahead of time, and heat it up when you are ready. Pork shoulder (think carnitas), is another popular way to prepare pork tacos, and not as spicy.

a pork taco on a plate with lime wedges and bowls of toppings and pork around

A time savings tip: I purchased pre packaged cole slaw. All the veggies come in the bag, minus the dressing. This certainly makes meal prepping a lot easier especially on a week night.

This is an easy recipe to put together when you are pressed for time. Also it works great for a crowd, think game day, or a family picnic. If you like spicy food, then spicy pork tacos with red cabbage slaw will be a new favorite at your house.

If you need another idea for tacos, try pulled pork tacos a la Mexican pork carnitas. The flavor profile is different, but you can make a big batch and freeze it.

Puerto Rican Pernil is a favorite slow cooker tacos recipe at our house. Slow roasted pork flavored with garlic, sofrito and spices goes great with black beans and rice. But, it is perfect for making tacos, trust me.

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