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Authentic Tacos Al Pastor

tacos al pastor pork
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Vibrant, street-style tacos featuring marinated pork, sweet pineapple, and traditional Mexican spices.

The perfect balance of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors in every bite.

A restaurant-quality dish that’s surprisingly doable at home.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs pork shoulder, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup pineapple chunks (plus extra for topping)
  • 2 chipotle chilies in adobo, minced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 12–16 corn tortillas
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
  • 2 limes, cut into wedges
  • 2 tablespoons achiote paste
  • 3 guajillo chilies, stemmed and seeded
  • 1/2 cup pineapple juice
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup white onion, finely diced (for topping)
  • 1 avocado, sliced (optional)
  • 1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled (optional)

Instructions

  1. Toast guajillo chilies in a dry skillet until fragrant. Soak in hot water for 20 minutes, then drain.
  2. Blend soaked chilies with achiote paste, pineapple juice, vinegar, garlic, cumin, oregano, cloves, cinnamon, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  3. Combine pork with the marinade, pineapple chunks, chipotle chilies, and chopped onion. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
  4. If using wooden skewers, soak in water for 30 minutes. Remove marinated pork from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking.
  5. Thread marinated pork onto skewers, stacking tightly.
  6. Preheat grill to high heat (450°F). Grill skewers for 3-4 minutes per side until charred and internal temperature reaches 145°F.
  7. Alternatively, roast in a 375°F oven for 25-30 minutes, finishing under the broiler for 5 minutes.
  8. Prepare garnishes while meat cooks.
  9. Warm corn tortillas on the grill for 15-20 seconds per side.
  10. Let cooked meat rest for 5 minutes, then slice into small, thin pieces.
  11. Assemble tacos with pork, fresh pineapple, diced onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.

Notes

For an authentic experience, serve with small bowls of salsa verde and salsa roja.

Double-stack your corn tortillas for more stability if desired.

Leftover meat can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in a hot skillet.

Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary based on ingredients used, portion sizes, and preparation methods.

Nutrition

Keywords: tacos al pastor recipe, tacos al pastor sauce, tacos al pastor pork, tacos al pastor pineapple, tacos al pastor toppings, authentic mexican tacos

Find it online: https://www.joyliciousrecipes.com/tacos-al-pastor-recipe-easy-bold/