Pork shoulder braised in pineapple juice, soy, and mirin until it falls apart, then finished with fresh pineapple chunks for texture. The pineapple does two jobs: acid in the braise tenderizes the meat; fresh chunks at the end add brightness and contrast.←Back to Taco Base Recipes
3 lb pork shoulder, cut into 3-inch chunks
2 cups fresh pineapple, diced
0.5 cup soy sauce
0.25 cup mirin
4 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tbsp avocado oil
4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
1 medium yellow onion, sliced
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp salt
0.5 tsp black pepper
Season pork chunks with salt and pepper, then heat avocado oil in a heavy Dutch oven over medium-high heat and brown the pork on all sides.
Add onion, garlic, and ginger to the pot, cooking until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
Stir in soy sauce, mirin, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and half the diced pineapple—reserve the rest for later.
Add just enough water to barely cover the meat, bring to a gentle simmer, then cover and braise for 2.5-3 hours until fork-tender.
Remove the lid and increase heat to medium-high, cooking until the sauce reduces by half and starts getting glossy.
Add the remaining fresh pineapple chunks and cook for 5 more minutes until they're heated through and slightly caramelized.
Shred the pork with two forks, mix with the reduced sauce and caramelized pineapple.
Finish with sesame oil and serve immediately while those pineapple chunks are still warm and perfect.
Chef's Notes
Reserve the fresh pineapple chunks for the final step — they add crucial texture and bright flavor that balances the rich, braised pork. The sauce needs to reduce significantly at the end so it coats rather than pools; that's when the flavor concentrates and the dish comes together.
Into This Base? Remix It!
Pineapple Teriyaki Pork Shoulder is a taco base recipe — the foundation of your taco, also known as the filling. It sets the flavor direction for everything that follows. Hit remix to pair it with toppings and finishes that complement it or take it somewhere you'd never expect. You might land on something traditional or stumble into full-on taco fusion.Take Pineapple Teriyaki Pork Shoulder into the Summoning Circle and shuffle it with hundreds of other taco components to create your perfect taco.
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