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.