Tacos Al Pastor

User Reviews

5

39 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    25 mins

  • Cook Time

    30 mins

  • Additional Time

    4 hrs 55 mins

  • Servings

    8 people

  • Calories

    180 kcal

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    Mexican

Tacos Al Pastor

Tacos Al Pastor feature thinly sliced pork shoulder marinated in al pastor adobo sauce, grilled or pan-cooked with a slight char. Served on warm corn tortillas, the tacos are garnished with diced pineapple, onion, cilantro, and fresh lime, balancing savory, spicy, and sweet flavors. The recipe includes steps for marinating pork slices and grilling pineapple for added sweetness and texture.

Description

This Tacos Al Pastor recipe uses boneless pork shoulder thinly sliced or substituted by pork sirloin or thin chops. The pork is salted and marinated in a red al pastor adobo sauce for at least four hours or overnight, infusing robust flavors. The meat cooks in batches on a hot griddle or cast iron skillet to get a caramelized exterior without overcrowding, with oil added between batches as needed. Grilled pineapple is chopped fresh and added as a bright, sweet contrast.

Warm corn tortillas provide the base for layering the cooked pork meat with diced pineapple, chopped white onion, cilantro, and fresh lime wedges. Additional garnishes like red or tomatillo salsa complete the flavor profile, offering heat and tang. This combines into a balanced handheld meal with savory, sweet, acidic, and herby elements.

For storage, leftovers should be refrigerated in airtight containers within two hours, lasting three to four days. Freezing is also possible if packaged well to prevent freezer burn. When reheating, a low temperature with added moisture like broth or water helps preserve pork tenderness and prevent dryness, best achieved using the oven or skillet rather than high direct heat.

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Ingredients

Servings

For the Meat

  • 2 pounds boneless pork shoulder sliced thinly - about 1/4 inch thick, or pork sirloin or thin boneless pork chops may be used too
  • kosher salt or sea salt
  • 2 cups al pastor adobo sauce
  • 4 tablespoons vegetable oil or more if needed
  • 1 large onion sliced thinly
  • corn tortillas as many needed

Garnishes

  • ½ pineapple diced, fresh
  • white onion chopped
  • cilantro chopped
  • red salsa like Chile De Arbol Salsa
  • tomatillo salsa
  • lime fresh, wedges

Instructions

  1. Trim the pork shoulder or loin off any excess fat. Cut the meat into thin slices, about ¼ inch thick.
  2. Season the pork with salt on both sides. 
  3. Place the meat slices in a shallow dish, and pour the marinade over them, ensuring that each slice is coated evenly.
  4. Cover the dish with a lid or plastic wrap, and let the meat marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight.
  5. Before you're ready to start cooking the meat, grill the pineapple on a skillet. Preferably a griddle that achieves that delicious char taste.
  6. Chop the pineapples in small cubes to get them ready for the tacos.
  7. Cook. Heat a griddle or cast iron skillet to medium-high heat and add two tablespoons of oil. Cook the meat slices until they are nicely browned and cooked through. About 3 minutes per side.
  8. Cook in separate batches so that you don't overcrowd the skillet. Note: Clean the skillet between batches to remove the burnt marinade. Add a little more oil between each batch of meat.
  9. Transfer the meat to a dish as it cooks. When the meat is all cooked, cut into thin small strips and return to the dish. Set aside.
  10. In same skillet, add a tablespoon of oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onions and saute until soft. Add the sliced meat back in the skillet and combine with the onions.

Assemble the tacos

  1. Warm up your corn tortillas by lightly charring them on a hot skillet or directly over a flame.
  2. Fill each tortilla with a generous amount of the cooked meat, and top it off with diced pineapple, chopped cilantro, finely chopped onions, salsa and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
  3. Serve your Tacos Al Pastor with extra lime wedges on the side

Notes

  • Refrigerate leftovers promptly in airtight containers to maintain freshness for up to four days.
  • Freezing is possible in well-sealed containers to protect against freezer burn.
  • Reheat pork gently at low temperature with added moisture to avoid drying out; oven reheating is recommended.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Serving 2oz Calories 180kcal (9%) Carbohydrates 5g (2%) Protein 15.4g (31%) Fat 10g (15%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Sodium 237mg (10%) Potassium 212mg (5%) Fiber 1.6g (6%) Sugar 3.1g (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 180 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving 2oz
Calories 180kcal 9%
Carbohydrates 5g 2%
Protein 15.4g 31%
Fat 10g 15%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Sodium 237mg 10%
Potassium 212mg 5%
Fiber 1.6g 6%
Sugar 3.1g 6%

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

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5

39 reviews
Excellent

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