Al Pastor Taco

Savor the vibrant, smoky-sweet flavors of Al Pastor Tacos, a beloved Mexican street food classic that's perfect for any taco lover. This recipe features tender pork shoulder marinated in a bold blend of guajillo and ancho chilies, pineapple juice, and fragrant spices like cumin and oregano, creating a harmony of spiced and tangy notes. Slowly roasted with layers of fresh pineapple, the pork develops caramelized edges and melt-in-your-mouth texture, ideal for piling onto warm corn tortillas. Garnished with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice, these tacos offer a delightful balance of savory, sweet, and citrusy flavors in every bite. Perfect for a crowd, this recipe lets you bring authentic taquería-style tacos al pastor to your home kitchen.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:150 mins

Total Time:180 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 2 pounds pork shoulder
• 3 whole guajillo chilies
• 2 whole ancho chilies
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 0.25 cup white vinegar
• 0.5 cup orange juice
• 1 medium onion
• 4 whole garlic cloves
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup fresh pineapple
• 16 small corn tortillas
• 0.5 cup fresh cilantro
• 4 whole lime wedges

Directions

Step 1

Soak the guajillo and ancho chilies in hot water for about 15 minutes or until softened.

Step 2

Once soft, remove seeds and stems from the chilies and transfer them to a blender.

Step 3

Add pineapple juice, white vinegar, orange juice, coarsely chopped onion, garlic cloves, oregano, ground cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper to the blender.

Step 4

Blend until the mixture is smooth and homogenous.

Step 5

Cut the pork shoulder into thin slices, about 1/4 inch thick.

Step 6

In a large bowl or a ziplock bag, combine the pork slices with the marinade, making sure the pork is evenly coated.

Step 7

Marinate the pork in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight for best flavor.

Step 8

Preheat the oven to 275°F (135°C).

Step 9

Layer the marinated pork slices alternately with slices of fresh pineapple on a skewer or arrange them tightly on a baking sheet.

Step 10

Bake for about 2 to 2.5 hours, or until the pork is tender and slightly crispy around the edges.

Step 11

Slice the cooked pork and pineapple into small pieces for taco filling.

Step 12

Heat the corn tortillas on a skillet or directly over a flame until warm and pliable.

Step 13

Assemble the tacos by placing the pork and pineapple mixture onto the warmed tortillas.

Step 14

Top each taco with finely chopped fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime.

Step 15

Serve immediately and enjoy your flavorful Al Pastor Tacos.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2279.1 grams (2279.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3765

Total Fat 155.10g	199%
Saturated Fat 44.60g	223%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 801mg	267%
Sodium 5516mg	240%
Total Carbohydrate 329.90g	120%
Dietary Fiber 52.70g	188%
Total Sugars 74.30g
Protein 252.80g	506%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 697mg	54%
Iron 23mg	127%
Potassium 6105mg	130%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 37.5%

Protein: 27.1%

Carbs: 35.4%