Apple Slaw Pork Loin Tacos are full of tender pork loin, crunchy apple slaw spiked with juicy blueberries wrapped in warm, soft tortillas. Nevermind the drippy sweet and spicy sauce running down to your elbows, this tacos is worth it!
My oldest son is the pickiest eater in the world. It’s been a struggle his whole life to get him to try new foods. A few years ago we even did a contest to get him to try new foods. Of the 50 new foods he tried, he liked and kept eating probably five of them.
A couple of years after this adventure, he had to plan and cook a meal for Boy Scouts as a requirement. It was at that time that we learned if he helped prepare the food, he’d eat it. He started eating grilled steak, hamburgers, fish, pork, chicken and shrimp if he made it. We still struggle with vegetables. Little by little we’ve added other ingredients like the bun, not just the burger to his meals. Seriously!
Now, he loves grilled pork loin. He loves chicken tacos. Why wouldn’t he love pork tacos? It was my new mission. Granted, I knew he’d never go for the apple slaw, but I consider it a ‘win’ if he likes the pork and soft tortilla.
Let’s talk tacos!
I started with a HORMEL® ALWAYS TENDER® Pork Center Cut Loin Filet in Mesquite flavor. They’re pre-marinated, come in a variety of flavors and ready when I am. Plus, pork loin cooks relatively quickly making it perfect for busy weeknights. I have Lincoln grill the loin, while I mix together the slaw and prep the other ingredients.
The apple slaw will delight your taste buds. It’s the perfect summer recipe. This slaw really brings out the flavor in these Apple Slaw Pork Loin Tacos. It’s much better than traditional slaw. Bonus, if you wish serve this as a side with sandwiches. Apple Slaw is also a great potluck or tailgating recipe to add to your arsenal. It’s made with tart Granny Smith apples, sweet juicy blueberries and a tangy dressing.
Apple Slaw Pork Loin Tacos Tips
- When you’re getting ready to grill, sit your pork tenderloin on the counter for 30 minutes allowing it to come to room temperature. This will help it cook more evenly. It will also prevent the outside from drying out before the interior gets cooked.
- For a char on the outside of your tenderloin, sear it for 2 and 1/2 minutes on each side at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Turn your heat down to 350 and continue cooking until the thickest part registers 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Taste your apple before mixing all the ingredients. I got a really bitter apple and didn’t taste it beforehand. I had to throw that batch of Apple Slaw out and start again. Lesson learned. Taste as you go!
While you’re here, check out these recipes
- Tasty Tacos 79 Ways
- Caribbean Jamaican Jerk Fish Tacos (favorite)
- Mojito Grilled Chicken Tacos
- Taco Salad
- Honey Soy Pork Loin (great for leftovers)
- Easy Pork Tenderloin
Apple Slaw Pork Loin Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 pork tenderloin HORMEL® ALWAYS TENDER® Mesquite
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 2 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cilantro minced
- 1 tablespoon parsley
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 1 medium jalapeno minced
- 1/3 cup blueberries
- 2 Granny Smith apples julienned
- 1 cup kale chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
- flour or corn tortillas
- 1/4 cup crema or sour cream
Instructions
- Sit pork on counter for 30 minutes while grill heats.
- Heat grill to 400 degrees F
- Sear pork 2 and 1/2 minutes on three sides.
- Turn heat down to 350 degrees F
- Continue to cook 5 to 6 minutes per side or until meat thermometer registers 140 degrees. (Pork needs to heat to 145 degrees, but the temperature will go up 5 degrees or so after you take it off the grill.)
- Meanwhile, make the Apple Slaw
- Julienne the apples, mix the sugar and vinegar and pour over apples.
- Add all the other ingredients and toss.
- Allow pork to sit after cooked for 5 minutes before slices.
- Assemble tacos, serve immediately
Nutrition
Anita Siler says
Great recipes and description pictures! Can hardly wait to try these.
Nora @ Savory Nothings says
Yum, these tacos look awesome! That apple slaw is calling my name.
I can’t imagine how intense it is to have a really picky eater at home! My brother was really bad as well and it was so hard for my mom to get him to eat anything but chocolate flavoured yogurt. He is still very picky and will never touch a tomato in his life, but it does grow out a bit eventually.
Paula says
It’s the worst and I swore I wouldn’t be that mom that made different things for each child. At least my other one eats EVERYTHING, I love making his lunch for school.