Homemade Tacos Al Pastor
These savory and sweet Tacos Al Pastor are a beloved Mexican dish that can be easily prepared at home using a grill, stove, or oven. They feature marinated pork, pineapple, and a variety of typical taco garnishes.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Servings: 5
Full Ingredient List
- 3 lb pork shoulder, sliced into wide, thin pieces
- 4 pineapple spears
- 6 guajillo chiles
- 1 chile de arbol
- 5 cloves garlic
- ¼ of an onion
- 10 whole black peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 packets Sazon Goya or 1 tablespoon ground achiote powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup pineapple or orange juice
- 15 corn tortillas
- 1/2 cup pickled red onion OR chopped red or white onion
- 1/2 cup fresh chopped cilantro
- lime wedges
- creamy avocado salsa
- salt
Marinated Pork
Tools and Equipment
Ingredients
| Quantity |
Name |
Preparation Notes |
Substitutions |
| 3 lb |
pork shoulder |
sliced into wide, thin pieces |
|
| 6 |
guajillo chiles |
remove seeds and veins |
|
| 1 |
chile de arbol |
remove seeds and veins |
|
| 5 cloves |
garlic |
|
|
| ¼ |
onion |
|
|
| 10 |
whole black peppercorns |
|
|
| 1 teaspoon |
Mexican oregano |
|
|
| 1/2 teaspoon |
ground cumin |
|
|
| 1/4 teaspoon |
ground allspice |
|
|
| 1/4 teaspoon |
ground cloves |
|
|
| ¼ teaspoon |
ground ginger |
|
|
| 2 packets |
Sazon Goya |
OR 1 Tablespoon ground achiote powder |
ground achiote powder |
| 1 1/2 teaspoons |
salt |
|
|
| 1/4 cup |
apple cider vinegar |
|
|
| 1/4 cup |
pineapple or orange juice |
|
|
Instructions
-
Step 1:
Prepare the pork by removing large pieces of fat and slicing it horizontally into long, wide, 1/4'' thick pieces. (Tips: You can ask your butcher to slice the pork for you.)
-
Step 2:
Soften the chiles by removing seeds and veins, then simmering them in water for 15 minutes. (Tips: Wear gloves to protect your hands when handling chiles.)
-
Step 3:
Combine softened chiles, onion, garlic, allspice, peppercorns, cloves, oregano, cumin, ginger, achiote powder, salt, apple cider vinegar, and juice in a blender. Blend until smooth. (Tips: Add 1/4 cup of the water from the chile pot to the blender for easier blending.)
-
Step 4:
Marinate the pork by adding it to a bowl or ziplock bag and coating with the marinade. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. (Tips: Ensure the pork is coated evenly with the marinade for best flavor.)
-
Step 5:
Grill the marinated pork on high heat for a few minutes on each side until just shy of 145°F. Rest before chopping into small pieces. (Tips: Use a thermometer to check internal temperature.)
Taco Assembly
Tools and Equipment
Ingredients
| Quantity |
Name |
Preparation Notes |
Substitutions |
| 15 |
corn tortillas |
either white or yellow |
|
| 4 spears |
pineapple |
grill and chop |
|
| 1/2 cup |
pickled red onion |
or chopped red or white onion |
chopped red onion, chopped white onion |
| 1/2 cup |
fresh chopped cilantro |
|
|
| as needed |
lime wedges |
|
|
| optional |
creamy avocado salsa |
for serving |
|
| to taste |
salt |
|
|
Instructions
-
Step 1:
Warm tortillas in a hot dry skillet or on the grill. (Tips: Heating the tortillas helps them become more pliable and enhances their flavor.)
-
Step 2:
Fill each tortilla with grilled chopped pork, pineapple, onion, and cilantro. Add a squeeze of lime juice. (Tips: Adjust toppings according to taste preferences.)
Additional Information
Notes: To grill the pineapple, brush it with olive oil before placing it on the grill. Fresh, canned, or ungrilled pineapple can also be used.
