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Tacos Al Pastor

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  • Author: ChefEmma
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 50 minutes (plus marinating time)
  • Yield: 810 tacos 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: Mexican
  • Diet: Halal

Description

Tacos Al Pastor are a popular Mexican street food featuring marinated pork cooked with pineapple, then thinly sliced and served on corn tortillas with onions, cilantro, and salsa.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 lbs pork shoulder, thinly sliced
  • 3 dried guajillo chiles, stemmed and seeded
  • 2 dried ancho chiles, stemmed and seeded
  • 1/2 cup pineapple juice
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
  • 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1/4 cup achiote paste
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 cup fresh pineapple, chopped
  • Corn tortillas, for serving
  • Chopped white onion, for garnish
  • Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
  • Lime wedges, for serving

Instructions

  1. Soak dried chiles in hot water for 15 minutes until softened.
  2. In a blender, combine softened chiles, pineapple juice, vinegar, garlic, chipotle, adobo sauce, oregano, cumin, cloves, black pepper, salt, and achiote paste. Blend until smooth.
  3. Marinate sliced pork in the blended mixture for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
  4. Preheat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the pork slices until browned and slightly charred, about 3–4 minutes per side.
  5. Chop the cooked pork into small pieces and mix with chopped pineapple.
  6. Warm corn tortillas and fill each with the pork-pineapple mixture.
  7. Top with chopped onion and cilantro, and serve with lime wedges.

Notes

  • Use a vertical spit (trompo) for authentic preparation, if available.
  • Marinating overnight yields the best flavor.
  • Can substitute pork with chicken or tofu for variation.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 tacos
  • Calories: 380
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 600mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 24g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg