Savor Authentic Tacos Al Pastor: A Taste of Mexico
Tacos al Pastor are one of Mexico’s most beloved street foods. Made with thinly sliced pork marinated in a flavorful mixture of chilies, pineapple, and spices, then grilled to perfection, these tacos burst with vibrant, smoky, and sweet flavors. Serve them on warm tortillas with fresh toppings for a true taste of Mexico.
Ingredients
- For the pork marinade:
- 1 ½ lbs pork shoulder thinly sliced
- 3 dried guajillo chilies seeded
- 2 dried ancho chilies seeded
- ½ cup pineapple juice
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 2 tbsp white vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- 1 tbsp achiote paste optional, for color
- For the tacos:
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 1 cup fresh pineapple diced
- 1 small white onion finely chopped
- 1 bunch cilantro chopped
- Lime wedges for serving
- Salsa for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add the guajillo and ancho chilies and simmer for 5 minutes until softened. Drain and place the chilies in a blender along with pineapple juice, orange juice, vinegar, garlic, onion, cumin, oregano, paprika, salt, black pepper, ground cloves, and achiote paste. Blend until smooth.
- Marinate the pork: Place the thinly sliced pork in a large bowl or ziplock bag. Pour the chili marinade over the pork and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 4 hours for best flavor.
- Cook the pork: Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook the marinated pork slices for 3-4 minutes on each side, until fully cooked and slightly charred. Remove from heat and let rest for a few minutes before slicing into thin strips.
- Warm the tortillas: Heat the corn tortillas on the grill or in a dry skillet until warm and slightly toasted.
- Assemble the tacos: Divide the sliced pork among the warm tortillas. Top with diced pineapple, chopped onion, and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges and your favorite salsa.
- Enjoy: Serve immediately and enjoy the authentic flavors of Tacos al Pastor!
Notes
Make it authentic: For a more traditional approach, you can stack the marinated pork and roast it on a vertical spit, similar to shawarma. This mimics the cooking style used by street vendors in Mexico.
Achiote paste: This optional ingredient gives the pork its signature red color, but the flavor will still be amazing without it.
Pineapple: Grilling the pineapple before adding it to the tacos can enhance its sweetness and flavor.
Achiote paste: This optional ingredient gives the pork its signature red color, but the flavor will still be amazing without it.
Pineapple: Grilling the pineapple before adding it to the tacos can enhance its sweetness and flavor.
Nutrition
Serving: 1ServingCalories: 350kcal
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