Tacos al Pastor Recipe
User Reviews
5.0
15 reviews
Excellent
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Prep Time
30 mins
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Cook Time
30 mins
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Marinating Time
2 hrs
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Total Time
40 mins
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Servings
12 tacos
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Calories
221 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Mexican
Tacos al Pastor Recipe
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Make tacos al pastor at home with this easy recipe of sliced pork shoulder in a citrusy marinade, cooked on the grill or stovetop, a family favorite.
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Ingredients
FOR THE MARINADE
- 2 ancho peppers
- 2 guajillo peppers
- 2 dried chiles de arbol or more as desired
- 1 small yellow onion roughly chopped
- 4 cloves garlic chopped
- 1/3 cup crushed pineapple or use pineapple juice
- 2 tablespoons chipotle sauce
- 2 tablespoons achiote paste
- Juice from 1 large orange about 1/3 cup
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Mexican oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt or more to taste
FOR THE TACOS AL PASTOR
- 3 pounds boneless pork shoulder
- olive oil as needed
- 12 corn tortillas warmed
- FOR SERVING: Diced jalapeno, diced pineapple, diced tomato, chopped cilantro, lime wedges, spicy chili flakes, hot sauce
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Instructions
FOR THE MARINADE
- Dry toast the dried anchos, guajillos and chiles de arbol a couple minutes per side in a hot pan to release their oils. Cool, then remove stems and seeds. Set into a bowl and cover with hot water to soften for 20 minutes.
- Drain the water and add the rehydrated peppers to a large food processor.
- Add in the onion, garlic, pineapple, chipotle sauce, achiote paste, orange juice, vinegar, brown sugar, oregano, cumin, and salt to taste. Process until smooth.
- Next, slice the pork shoulder into long strips, about ½ inch thick. Make them large enough so they won’t fall through your grill grates. (If using the vertical skewer method, slice the pork into 1/4 inch or thinner slices, not strips.)
- Add the pork to a large bowl and cover with the marinade. Make sure to get all of the pork evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.
FOR THE TACOS AL PASTOR (EASY GRILLING METHOD)
- Heat your grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates. Alternatively, you can make this indoors in a grill pan on the stove top.
- Shake off excess marinade and grill the pork for 6-7 minutes, or until cooked through. You want to get a nice crusty char.
- Slice into bite-sized pieces and serve over warmed tortillas. Top with diced jalapeno, diced pineapple, diced tomato, chopped cilantro, lime wedges, spicy chili flakes, hot sauce.
FOR TACOS AL PASTOR ON A VERTICAL SKEWER
- Shake off excess marinade and thread the marinated sliced pork shoulder onto a vertical skewer.
- Heat your grill (or smoker) to 250 degrees F and set the skewer inside over indirect heat.
- Grill over indirect heat for 3 to 3.5 hours, or until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
- Slice into bite-sized pieces and serve over warmed tortillas. Top with diced jalapeno, diced pineapple, diced tomato, chopped cilantro, lime wedges, spicy chili flakes, hot sauce.
Notes
- Heat Factor: Mild-Medium. You won't really get much heat from Tacos al Pastor, but you will get awesome flavor. Add in both heat and flavor with your favorite complimentary hot sauce and some diced peppers and/or chili flakes.
- Internal Temp: Because of the thin slices of the pork, you only need an internal temperature of 145 degrees F, not the usual 165 degrees F.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
221kcal
(11%)
Carbohydrates
16g
(5%)
Protein
27g
(54%)
Fat
5g
(8%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
2g
Trans Fat
0.02g
Cholesterol
68mg
(23%)
Sodium
297mg
(12%)
Potassium
542mg
(15%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
373IU
(7%)
Vitamin C
2mg
(2%)
Calcium
44mg
(4%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12tacos
Amount Per Serving
Calories 221 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 221kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 16g | 5% |
| Protein | 27g | 54% |
| Fat | 5g | 8% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 0.02g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 68mg | 23% |
| Sodium | 297mg | 12% |
| Potassium | 542mg | 12% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 373IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 2mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 44mg | 4% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
15 reviews
Excellent
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