Healthy Pork and Pineapple Taco Bowls

Pork and pineapple taco bowls are the best weeknight dinner! They're quick and easy but the pineapple slaw takes them over the top.

Oh my, this just may be my favorite taco-inspired recipe yet! And if you've followed me for long, you know I have a lot of 'em. (Check out my grilled veggie and refried bean tacos and my easy Tex Mex casserole for more!)

So what makes these pork and pineapple taco bowls stand out? Well, I love the ground pork mixture. It cooks incredibly quickly and is bursting with flavor. But what really steals the show is that pineapple slaw. It's bright, acidic and just the teeniest bit spicy (though you can totally skip the jalapeño if you like). I recommend chopping the pineapple, jalapeño and red onion ahead of time so the slaw comes together easily when you're making dinner.

Convinced that you should make these pork and pineapple taco bowls? Good! Here's what you need to do:

Start by making the slaw. That way the flavors will have a bit of time to meld while you cook the pork. If you've done the chopping ahead of time, this slaw will come together quickly. Simply toss together the coleslaw mix, diced pineapple, chopped jalapeño, chopped red onion, salt and lime juice. So simple and SO freaking good.

While that deliciousness sits in its bowl, it's time to cook the pork. Cook the pork on the stovetop with the rest of the chopped onion and your taco seasoning. While the pork cooks, cut your avocado. Finally, assemble the bowls and bask in the deliciousness that is this weeknight meal prep dinner.

Can I meal prep pork and pineapple taco bowls?

Yes, these pork and pineapple taco bowls are perfect for meal prep. In fact, I highly recommend it, especially if you're planning to serve this dish on a weeknight. (New to meal prep? Check out my article on How I Meal Prep 1 Week in 1 Hour!)

All you need to do to meal prep these pork taco bowls is a bit of chopping. You'll chop one red onion and one jalapeño. This is an aspect you can really personalize to meet your own preferences. If you love spice, leave a few jalapeño seeds in or be bold and use two jalapeños. Or if you have littles or just hate all things spicy, omit the jalapeño and add in a bit of chopped bell pepper.

Next, you'll core, peel and dice 1 pineapple. (Not sure how to do this? I have a short video for ya with my technique.)

And that's really all you need to do! On “dish day,” (psst! That's Prep Dish lingo for the night you finish cooking and serve your prepped meals) you'll simply mix your slaw, cook your quick-cooking ground pork, chop your avocado and assemble the pork taco bowls. That's it! It's amazing how a little bit of meal prep can make a tasty dish like this work for weeknights.

Are these healthy taco bowls?

Yes! These are certainly healthy taco bowls. The pork provides plenty of protein (feel free to use ground chicken or turkey instead), the avocado gives you a healthy dose of healthy fats and the slaw has plenty of fruit & veggie goodness. I call that a dinnertime win!

Want more specifics? I get it. As a dietitian, I love nerding out on the nitty gritty nutritional details. Here are some specifics on the nutrition these healthy taco bowls provide:

Red Onion (Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Antioxidants, Folate, Potassium)

Did you know that the humble onion is actually packed with antioxidants? Antioxidants help protect you from free radicals that cause things like cancer and heart disease. Onions also have beneficial sulfides and polysulfides which may help protect against cancer.

Avocado (Vitamin K, Folate, Vitamin C, B Vitamins, Potassium, Folate, Healthy Fats)

Loaded with nutrients like potassium, folate and healthy fats, avocados are good for your heart, your eye health, and even your mood. Moreover, they also benefit your brain, bone density and blood sugar levels.

Pineapple (Vitamin C, Manganese, Vitamin B6)

In addition to being super high in vitamin C, pineapple is also rich in antioxidants. This fruit is great for your immune system. Pineapple also contains enzymes that may help with digestion. Bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapple, may help with arthritis and help prevent and fight cancer.

Cabbage (Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Folate, Manganese, Vitamin B6, Potassium)

Cabbage contains a particularly high amount of Vitamin K. It's also a great source of Vitamin C and folate. Like other cruciferous vegetables, cabbage is good for reducing inflammation. It's high fiber content also supports healthy digestion.

Jalapeno (Vitamin C, Vitamin B6)

Due to their capsaicin, jalapenos may help promote weight loss and boost metabolism. This is true for other types of chili peppers as well. Capsaicin may also help fight cancer and naturally reduce pain.

Limes (Vitamin C, Iron, Calcium, Vitamin B6)

The combination of vitamin C and antioxidants make limes great for your immune system. Vitamin C is also highly beneficial for your skin, with anti-aging effects. Limes are also good for your heart, beneficial for preventing kidney stones and may even help prevent certain types of cancer.

Pork (Thiamine, Selenium, Zinc, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6, Iron)

Pork provides substantial amounts of thiamine, selenium, zinc, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, iron and, of course, protein. If you don't eat pork, you can easily sub a different protein like ground chicken, ground turkey, fish, shrimp, or even pinto beans for a vegetarian version!

FAQ – Common Questions about Pork and Pineapple Taco Bowls

What meat goes well with pineapple?

Pork, chicken, shrimp and fish all go so well with pineapple.

What fruit goes well with pork?

So many fruits bring out the flavor of pork. Some of my favorites are pork with apples, pork with cherries and pork with pineapple like in these pork and pineapple taco bowls!

What is a taco bowl made of?

There are SO many delicious variations on taco bowls (just scroll down for a few of my favorites!) But the basic formula is veggies + well seasoned protein + all the amazing toppings. You can also add a base of rice, quinoa, cauli rice or roasted potatoes if you like! Trust me, you can't go wrong with this formula.

What are the healthiest tacos to eat?

Any taco with protein + veggies, without any weird ingredients is a healthy taco in my book. To keep your tacos healthy, keep an eye on the ingredients in your tortillas and taco seasoning. You can find paleo-friendly tortillas if needed, or turn your favorite tacos into a healthy taco bowl! You can also find gluten free corn tortillas that have just a few ingredients. Finally, if the taco seasoning at your local grocery store has sketchy ingredients, make your own! It's simple and you can make a big batch to last you for a few months of taco goodness.

I want more healthy taco bowls!