Tacos Al Pastor
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
10 mins
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Marinating
4 hrs
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Total Time
4 hrs 30 mins
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Servings
5
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Calories
473 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Mexican
Tacos Al Pastor
Description
This Tacos Al Pastor recipe involves slicing pork shoulder thinly and marinating it in a blended paste of soaked guajillo and chile de arbol peppers, garlic, onion, various spices including cumin, oregano, allspice, cloves, and ginger, along with apple cider vinegar and pineapple juice for acidity and sweetness. After marinating for several hours or overnight, the pork is grilled quickly over high heat to achieve a tender yet slightly charred texture.
Grilled pineapple slices, brushed with marinade, add caramelized sweetness atop the meat. The tacos are assembled on warmed corn tortillas and topped with fresh cilantro, pickled or chopped onions, and lime wedges. Optional avocado-based salsa or creamy toppings can be added according to taste. This combination offers a mild to moderate spice profile, easily adaptable with the addition of fresh jalapeños or chili peppers for heat.
Alternative cooking methods include braising in the oven or cooking slowly in a slow cooker, followed by shredding the pork. These methods produce tender meat suitable for tacos if grilling equipment is unavailable. The recipe reflects traditional Mexican street food enjoyed in roughly three-taco servings per person.
Ingredients
- 3 lb pork shoulder , sliced into wide, thin pieces
- 4 pineapple spears
Marinade:
- 6 guajillo chiles
- 1 chile de arbol
- 5 cloves garlic
- ¼ of an onion
- 10 black peppercorns whole
- 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin ground
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves ground
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 packets Sazon seasoning OR 1 Tablespoons ground achiote powder, brand Goya
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice or orange juice
Tacos:
- 15 corn tortillas , white or yellow
- 1/2 cup Pickled red onion OR chopped red or white onion
- 1/2 cup cilantro fresh, chopped
- lime wedges
- avocado salsa optional, for serving, creamy
Instructions
- Cut Pork: Remove any large pieces of fat. Slice the pork horizontally into long, 1/4’’ thick pieces (you could see if your butcher would do this).
- Soften Chiles: Remove seeds and veins from the dried chiles (wear gloves if desired). Add to a small saucepan cover with water. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 15 minutes, to soften the chiles.
- Blend: Add chiles and 1/4 cup of water from the pot (discard remaining water) to a high powdered blender. Add onion, garlic cloves, allspice, peppercorn, cloves, Mexican oregano, cumin, ginger, achiote powder, salt, apple cider vinegar, and juice. Blend until completely smooth.
- Marinate: Add pork to a large bowl or ziplock bag and spread mixture all over pork, tossing to coat. Cover and refrigerate for several hours, or overnight.
- Grill Pork: Remove pork from marinade and cook on a very hot grill for a few minutes on each side until just shy of 145 degrees F. Remove to a cutting board allow to rest.
- Grill pineapple: Brush pineapple spears with olive oil and place on hot grill, cooking briefly on both sides. Remove and chop into pieces.
- Assemble Tacos: Chop pork into small pieces for serving. Warm tortillas in a hot dry skillet or on the grill. Top tortillas with a spoonful of pork some pineapple, onion, cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice.
Notes
- Serving size is about 3 tacos per person, feeding approximately 5 people.
- Grilling pineapple is optional; fresh chopped or canned pineapple pieces may be substituted.
- Sazon seasoning adds flavor and is typically found in Mexican grocery aisles; achiote powder is a traditional but less common seasoning.
- Common accompaniments include creamy avocado sauce or guacamole salsa, either homemade or store-bought.
- The spice level is mild; add sliced jalapeño or fresh chili peppers to increase heat.
- Oven, slow cooker, or stovetop methods of cooking the pork are alternatives when grilling is not feasible.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 5Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 473 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 473kcal | 24% |
| Carbohydrates | 48g | 16% |
| Protein | 38g | 76% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Cholesterol | 111mg | 37% |
| Sodium | 865mg | 36% |
| Potassium | 899mg | 19% |
| Fiber | 7g | 28% |
| Sugar | 10g | 20% |
| Vitamin A | 1185IU | 24% |
| Vitamin C | 9mg | 10% |
| Calcium | 114mg | 11% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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