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    Home >> American

    Spicy Pork Tacos with Red Cabbage Slaw

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

    621 shares
    • 94
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Here is a quick and easy weeknight meal for taco Tuesday made with ground pork. Try some Asian Mexican fusion food! Spicy pork tacos with red cabbage slaw made with Vietnamese chili garlic sauce have a nice kick of heat you will love. The spicy flavors along with some ginger, brown sugar and cinnamon add a nice depth. These have the right amount of spice and a nice crunch too! #tacos #Mexicanfood #porktacos #spicytaco #tacotuesday #Mexican | ethnicspoon.com

    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.

    Looking for more recipes?  
    Sign up for my free recipe newsletter to get new recipes in your inbox each week!  You can also find me sharing more inspiration in Pinterest and Facebook.

    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. The spicy flavors along with some ginger, brown sugar and cinnamon add a nice depth. These have the right amount of spice and a nice crunch too! | ethnicspoon.com

    Spicy Pork Tacos with Red Cabbage Slaw

    Spicy Pork tacos with red cabbage slaw is the perfect dish to feed a crowd. Vietnamese chili garlic sauce gives this recipe just a bit of a kick. Enjoy with a red cabbage slaw for color and crunch.
    5 from 20 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: ground pork taco, homemade slaw, Mexican style food, taco with chili garlic
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 313kcal
    Author: Analida Braeger

    Ingredients

    • 6 flour tortillas
    • 1 lb ground pork lean
    • 1 tsp vegetable oil
    • 1 onion small, minced
    • ½ tsp Kosher salt
    • 1 Tbsp ginger paste
    • 1 dash cinnamon
    • 1 Tbsp chili garlic sauce
    • 1 dash brown sugar

    Slaw:

    • 1 cup cole slaw
    • ½ cup red cabbage chopped
    • 2 Tbsp cilantro choppped

    Instructions

    • To prepare the meat:
      In a skillet, heat oil on medium heat sauté the onions  until translucent. 
    • Add the pork, and cook until it is brown. Sprinkle in the salt, and cinnamon. Stir in the ginger paste.
    • Transfer meat to a bowl lined with paper towel to absorb the grease.
    • Next, add in the chili garlic sauce and stir well to coat the meat. Sprinkle in the brown sugar. 

    To prepare the slaw:

    • In a large bowl toss in all the ingredients together.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 313kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 586mg | Potassium: 327mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 105IU | Vitamin C: 10.4mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 1.8mg

    You might also like to try these:

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    • Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Jicama Slaw
      Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Jicama Slaw
    « Scailtin - Irish Whiskey Milk Punch
    Spicy Beef Puff Pastries - Pastelitos de Carne »
    621 shares
    • 94

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Anne Murphy

      April 17, 2018 at 2:16 pm

      5 stars
      Oh, that sounds wonderful! And I used that chili garlic sauce before I ever heard of Sriracha - love it! Adds great flavor, as well as heat, to anything I cook with it.

      Reply
      • Analida

        April 17, 2018 at 7:11 pm

        Thanks Anne.Yes, the chili garlic sauce adds a nice kick to anything.

        Reply
    2. Elaine @ Dishes Delish

      April 18, 2018 at 11:25 am

      5 stars
      I love spicy pork and your tacos look delicious! I also love the red cabbage slaw and look forward to trying your delicious recipe!

      Reply
      • Analida

        April 18, 2018 at 5:27 pm

        Hi Elaine, thanks for the compliment. I hope you have the chance to try the recipe soon.

        Reply
    3. Sharon

      April 19, 2018 at 12:19 pm

      5 stars
      The spices on this pork sounds amazing! So flavorful and a really good mix up for Taco Tuesdays.

      Reply
      • Analida

        April 19, 2018 at 5:10 pm

        Hi Sharon! I am glad you like this recipe. If you have a chance, give it a try and let me know what you think. 🙂

        Reply
    4. dixya @food, pleasure, and health

      April 20, 2018 at 11:10 am

      love the idea of serving tacos with slaw..it adds such a nice crunch, yum!

      Reply
      • Analida

        April 20, 2018 at 1:45 pm

        Yes, the slaw adds a lovely crunch Dixya. Anytime I make tacos, I like to add that extra crunch. 🙂

        Reply
    5. Christine

      April 20, 2018 at 3:22 pm

      5 stars
      Tis' the season for tacos! Well, actually, I always love tacos 😉 These port tacos look AMAZING!

      Reply
      • Analida

        April 20, 2018 at 7:22 pm

        Thanks Christine. I agree with you, it's always a good time for tacos.

        Reply
    6. Ben Myhre

      April 20, 2018 at 7:07 pm

      5 stars
      These tacos seem like a great twist on an old classic. This is one I am going to have to put on the list of stuff to make!

      Reply
      • Analida

        April 20, 2018 at 7:22 pm

        Hi Ben! I hope you get to make them soon. IF you like spicy food, these are right up your alley then.

        Reply
    7. Kim @ Berly's Kitchen

      April 21, 2018 at 9:03 pm

      5 stars
      I'm on a taco kick right now, and these sound fabulous! I also love that you've add a cabbage slaw. That's one of the best ways to eat tacos. Now, I'm hungry! LOL!

      Reply
      • Analida

        April 22, 2018 at 8:41 am

        Hi Kim! If you are on a taco kick, then you need to make these. 🙂 I love all kinds of tacos. And yes, cabbage slaw is awesome on tacos especially because of the added crunch.

        Reply
    8. Kitty

      April 21, 2018 at 10:52 pm

      This is such a fun twist! Taco Bamba in DC does a bunch of fusion tacos and they're so delicious! Looking forward to getting my fusion taco on at home!

      Reply
      • Analida

        April 22, 2018 at 8:39 am

        Hope you get to try these. Next time I am in DC I will have to check out Taco Bamba; thanks for the recommendation. 🙂

        Reply
    9. Heather

      April 22, 2018 at 2:35 pm

      5 stars
      I love pork tacos and the chili garlic sauce is my favorite part. The slaw looks so versatile and this is perfect for warmer weather!

      Reply
    10. Sara

      April 22, 2018 at 10:13 pm

      5 stars
      What a great combination of flavors! I love tacos, so I know this recipe will be a hit with my family!

      Reply
    11. Danielle Wolter

      April 22, 2019 at 12:41 pm

      5 stars
      oh man do these tacos look tasty. I love pork in tacos, especially with these seasoning and some added spice. I'll bet they are so delicious!

      Reply
    12. Gloria | Homemade & Yummy

      April 22, 2019 at 8:10 pm

      5 stars
      We love tacos, and pork is a great protein to make them with. I know these would be a hit on our Mexican themed dinner nights. Everyone will love them.

      Reply
    13. Kylie | Midwest Foodie

      April 23, 2019 at 10:27 am

      5 stars
      Tacos are a staple in our house but I am always looking for some new recipes to switch it up! These pork tacos look AMAZINGGG. Thanks for a great recipe!

      Reply
    14. Amanda Mason

      April 23, 2019 at 11:43 pm

      5 stars
      I love a good spicy kick in my tacos! This looks and sounds like the perfect dinner! Looks really simple to make, too!

      Reply
    15. Amanda

      April 24, 2019 at 11:22 am

      5 stars
      What a great taco recipe! I love the kick the ginger gives, and this recipe is so quick and easy to prepare. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    16. Denise

      April 25, 2019 at 2:14 pm

      5 stars
      Tacos are comfort food to me, and these look incredible. I love the added slaw to them as well, it adds a yummy crunch to it.

      Reply
    17. Pearl Rodrigues

      April 27, 2019 at 7:28 am

      5 stars
      Ah !! Spicy Pork Tacos, the name itself has got me drooling. Love how well the pork is cooked, I'm sure my family would love to bite into these taco's any time of the day . Looks totally delicious

      Reply
    18. Jenni LeBaron

      April 27, 2019 at 2:19 pm

      5 stars
      Tacos are my love language and putting a delicious slaw on top always makes them that much more delicious I love the little bit of cinnamon and chili garlic sauce in this recipe to give it a bit of heat!

      Reply
    19. Marie

      April 28, 2019 at 5:03 pm

      This would be a nice change from the usual ground beef or chicken tacos. Can't wait to try it!

      Reply
    20. lauren

      April 28, 2019 at 9:31 pm

      5 stars
      Yes! Red cabbage is such a sneaky good way to add crunch to tacos! That's how we serve the tacos at our restaurants. With the ground pork thats going to be an awesome combination. I like the dash of cinnamon for spice, such a great idea!

      Reply
    21. Julie

      April 28, 2019 at 10:13 pm

      We love tacos (my 4 year old's favorite food) but ground pork usually isn't on our radar; can't wait to give these a try. The coleslaw sounds delicious! I love tacos with a little crunch in them.

      Reply
    22. Linda

      April 29, 2019 at 12:08 am

      5 stars
      Prettiest tacos I've seen and I love the combination of spicy pork and red cabbage slaw. So comforting, juicy, and colorful!

      Reply
    23. Jo

      April 29, 2019 at 2:41 am

      5 stars
      The flavors are incredible and boy how much do I love tacos. All kinds of tacos are my favorite. Tacos are serious comfort food. Can't get enough of this.

      Reply
    24. Mackenzie

      June 01, 2021 at 6:56 am

      5 stars
      Made a yogurt sauce to go on top with chilli, lime, and fish sauce. Super good!

      Reply
      • Analida

        June 04, 2021 at 10:40 am

        That sounds fantastic!

        Reply

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    Analida profile pictureI have been researching and creating ethnic recipes for over 20 years. I love to share "mostly healthy" easy and affordable ethnic recipes using fresh ingredients, with a bit of culture and food history sprinkled in.... Read more-->

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