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Authentic Tacos Al Pastor

Close-up of three Tacos Al Pastor filled with shredded marinated pork, topped with diced pineapple, red onion, and cilantro.
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Recreate the vibrant flavors of Mexican street food with this authentic Tacos Al Pastor recipe. Marinated pork with pineapple, achiote, and chilies, cooked to perfection and served with traditional toppings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 pounds pork shoulder, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup pineapple juice
  • 1/4 cup achiote paste
  • 4 dried guajillo chilies, seeds removed
  • 2 dried ancho chilies, seeds removed
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 cup fresh pineapple, diced
  • 1/2 cup white onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Lime wedges, for serving
  • Corn tortillas, warmed

Instructions

  1. Soak the dried guajillo and ancho chilies in hot water for 20 minutes until softened.
  2. In a blender, combine the soaked chilies, pineapple juice, achiote paste, white vinegar, garlic, cumin, oregano, cloves, cinnamon, and salt. Blend until smooth.
  3. Place the thinly sliced pork in a bowl and pour the marinade over it. Ensure all pieces are well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight.
  4. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or on a griddle over medium-high heat.
  5. Cook the marinated pork in batches until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per batch.
  6. While the pork cooks, you can grill or broil the diced pineapple until slightly charred.
  7. Serve the cooked pork on warm corn tortillas. Top with diced pineapple, chopped onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice.

Notes

  • For a more authentic ‘trompo’ style, you can stack the marinated pork slices on a vertical skewer and roast or grill, shaving off thin slices as it cooks.
  • Adjust the amount of chilies to control the spice level.
  • If you don’t have achiote paste, you can find it at most Latin American markets.
  • This recipe is a great option for meal planning, as the marinade can be made ahead of time.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://recipestokeep.com/tacos-al-pastor-recipe/