Tacos Al Pastor
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Marinating Time
4 hrs
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Total Time
4 hrs 25 mins
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Servings
12 tacos
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Calories
266 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Mexican
Tacos Al Pastor
Description
This recipe uses boneless pork butt or loin sliced thin for quick cooking and marinates the meat in a sauce made from fresh pineapple blended with onion, citrus juices, vinegar, and spices including ancho chili powder, chipotle in adobo, garlic, salt, and Mexican oregano. The marinade imparts a sweet, smoky, and slightly spicy flavor with a characteristic tang.
The marinated pork slices are cooked on a hot grill or skillet to develop a sear and slight char while grilling pineapple spears until lightly charred enhances their natural sweetness. The pork and pineapple are chopped and combined with diced red onion and fresh cilantro, served on warm corn tortillas with lime wedges for squeezing.
Tacos Al Pastor offer a flavorful street-style taco experience with contrasting textures and vibrant tastes. They can be enjoyed as a meal or snack with fresh garnishes adding brightness and acidity.
If a grill is not available, the recipe can be prepared on a stovetop using a heavy skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat, although some smoky flavor is sacrificed. The cooking time may increase slightly using this method.
Ingredients
Marinade
- 2-3 pounds pork butt roast or loin, boneless
- 1 large pineapple fresh
- 1 medium white onion
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup white vinegar distilled
- 2 tablespoons ancho chili powder
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 chipotle in adobo pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon oregano dried, Mexican
For Serving
- 12 small corn tortillas
- 1/2 cup red onion diced
- 1/2 cup cilantro chopped, fresh
- 2 large lime cut into wedges
Instructions
- Use a sharp knife to slice 2-3 pounds boneless pork butt roast into thin 1/4-inch slices. Place slices in a large mixing bowl or resealable plastic bag.
- Peel, core, and cut 1 large fresh pineapple into 2-inch wide spears. Dice approximately 1 cup of pineapple and set the rest of the spears aside.
- Roughly chop 1 medium white onion and add it to a blender along with the 1 cup of diced pineapple. Add in 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar, 2 tablespoons ancho chili powder, 4 cloves garlic, 1 chipotle in adobo pepper, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano. Blend until smooth, about 60 to 90 seconds.
- Pour marinade over pork and toss to coat the meat. Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 hours to marinate.
- Heat a large heavy skillet or grill to high heat. Working in small batches, sear each slice of pork until cooked through, 2 to 4 minutes. At the same time, grill pineapple until lightly charred.
- Roughly chop the cooked pork and dice cooked pineapple. Serve meat up hot on a warmed tortilla topped with freshly chopped cilantro, diced grilled pineapple, slicdiced onion, and a lime wedge for squeezing.
Notes
- The recipe works well cooked on a stovetop skillet or grill pan if an outdoor grill is unavailable; expect slightly longer cooking time and less smoky flavor.
- Marinate the pork slices for at least 4 hours to maximize flavor absorption.
- Grilling pineapple along with the pork brings a subtle caramelized sweetness that complements the savory meat.
- Serve with diced red onion, chopped fresh cilantro, and lime wedges for traditional toppings.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12tacos
Amount Per Serving
Calories 266 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1taco | |
| Calories | 266kcal | 13% |
| Carbohydrates | 27g | 9% |
| Protein | 24g | 48% |
| Fat | 8g | 12% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Trans Fat | 0.04g | 2% |
| Cholesterol | 68mg | 23% |
| Sodium | 400mg | 17% |
| Potassium | 606mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 10g | 20% |
| Vitamin A | 514IU | 10% |
| Vitamin C | 46mg | 51% |
| Calcium | 65mg | 7% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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