Al Pastor Kabobs

User Reviews

4.8

48 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    20 mins

  • Cook Time

    20 mins

  • Additional Time

    8 hrs

  • Total Time

    8 hrs 32 mins

  • Calories

    554 kcal

Al Pastor Kabobs

These al pastor grilled kabobs brings your favorite flavorful taqueria  meat, into your own home! This al pastor marinade recipe with guajillo and ancho chiles, achiote, pineapple, and delicious spices, gives you the most flavorful and tender pork. Grilled and charred to perfection, these al pastor grilled skewers will be on repeat all summer long!

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Ingredients

  • 3 pounds boneless pork shoulder or butt (cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes)
  • 4 dried guajillo chiles (seeds and stem removed)
  • 2 dried ancho chiles (seeds and stem removed)
  • 1 tablespoon achiote seasoning, annato or paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup pineapple juice
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 2 chipotles in adobo + 1 tablespoon sauce from can
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Bring a saucepan of 2 cups of water (or microwave) to a boil. Cut stem off chiles and remove seeds. In a pyrex or heat safe container, carefully pour the boiling water over the dried chiles. Allow them to rehydrate for 15 minutes, while you prepare the rest of the marinade.
  2. Cut pork shoulder into 1 1/2 inch cubes and place in a large bowl.
  3. In a blender add all of the al pastor marinade ingredients: guajillo and ancho chiles, achiote, oregano, cumin, chicken broth, pineapple juice, white vinegar, garlic, chipotles in adobo, and kosher salt. Blend on high until smooth.
  4. Pour marinade over the pork in the bowl and use your hands to mix and ensure all of the pork is fully coated in al pastor marinade. Cover with plastic wrap, place in refrigerator, and marinate overnight.
  5. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 10 minutes. This will keep them from splitting and burning. Place marinated al pastor pork on each skewer.
  6. Preheat grill to medium/high heat (400F). Ensure your grill grates are clean/oiled.
  7. Once grill is to temperature, place al pastor kebabs over direct heat. Grill turning every few minutes until the internal temperature is 170F (will take about 10-15 minutes depending on the size of the meat pieces). Use a digital thermometer to check for doneness. 
  8. Al pastor is traditionally shaved onto a tortilla for a taco. The great thing about these al pastor skewers is you can enjoy them any way you would like. Chop them up for tacos, enjoy them with a side of rice, the world is your oyster. Enjoy!

Notes

  • If you can only find bone-in pork shoulder, kindly ask your butcher to remove the bone for you. You can also cut it out yourself at home.
  • P can be tough and benefits from an overnight marinade. The vinegar and pineapple juice enzymes help break down the pork making it very tender once cooked.
  • The traditional chiles used in al pastor are ancho, guajillo, and Chile de arbol.
  • I found dried chiles at Aldi, you can also check your local grocery store a Mexican grocery, or get them online.
  • I had trouble finding Chile de arbol, so for this recipe I just used guajillo and ancho chiles.
  • For this recipe I used the powder form of achiote, but you can also use the paste as a substitute.
  • I also found this achiote powder at my local grocery store in the Mexican section. It may be labeled “annatto” when looking at your local store.
  • Storing cooked al pastor: to store the cooked al pastor kabobs, remove the meat from the skewer and place in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
  • Storing marinade: you can make the marinade in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, re-blend before using. You can also freeze the marinade.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 554kcal (28%) Carbohydrates 26g (9%) Protein 80g (160%) Fat 13g (20%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Polyunsaturated Fat 3g Monounsaturated Fat 5g Trans Fat 0.1g Cholesterol 205mg (68%) Sodium 1038mg (43%) Potassium 1829mg (52%) Fiber 8g (32%) Sugar 15g (30%) Vitamin A 6175IU (124%) Vitamin C 13mg (14%) Calcium 67mg (7%) Iron 6mg (33%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 554 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 554kcal 28%
Carbohydrates 26g 9%
Protein 80g 160%
Fat 13g 20%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g 18%
Monounsaturated Fat 5g 25%
Trans Fat 0.1g 5%
Cholesterol 205mg 68%
Sodium 1038mg 43%
Potassium 1829mg 39%
Fiber 8g 32%
Sugar 15g 30%
Vitamin A 6175IU 124%
Vitamin C 13mg 14%
Calcium 67mg 7%
Iron 6mg 33%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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User Reviews

Overall Rating

4.8

48 reviews
Excellent

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