Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H. I enjoy al pastor tacos at my local Mexican restaurant, but making this iconic dish at home is so satisfying, and everyone loves them. You’ll love the flavor of the pork marinated in a blend of Mexican spices, including chilies, achiote paste, chipotle and pineapple. You can pan cook or grill the pork for easy prep, or you can stack in on a vertical rotisserie called a trompo and roast it slowly for tender, juicy meat every time. The dish is compared to recipes like tacos de adobada from Northern Mexico and tacos árabes from Puebla. “Al pastor” translates to “shepherd style”. There are two components to tacos al pastor that make it unique compared to other taco recipes - the marinade and the grilling. Tacos al pastor marinade can vary somewhat from cook to cook, but it boils down to a base of Mexican chili peppers, fruit juices and seasonings that make this dish a culinary favorite. Let’s talk about how to make Tacos al Pastor, shall we? Soften them up in hot water, then process them with onion, garlic, pineapple, chipotle sauce, achiote paste, orange juice, vinegar, brown sugar, oregano, cumin, and salt to taste to make the delicious marinade. Slice the pork shoulder then marinate the meat in a large bowl in the refrigerator at least 2 hours, though you can get away with 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can make this indoors in a grill pan or cast iron pan on the stove top. Grill them up until slightly charred and cooked through. You want to get a bit of crispy char on them. Slice into bite-sized pieces and serve over warmed corn tortillas with all of your favorite toppings. I love diced jalapeno, diced grilled pineapple or fresh pineapple, diced tomato, chopped onion, cilantro, lime wedges or lime juice, spicy chili flakes, hot sauce. Grill the pork at 250 degrees F (121 C) over indirect heat for 3-3.5 hours, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. The outer edges should be a bit crispy and charred. Slice the cooked meat with a sharp knife into small pieces, then serve with your favorite toppings! Add a squeeze of lime juice for me. Cover with aluminum foil to keep warm. BOOM! Done! Quite easy, right? I love easy. And BIG FLAVOR. Taco time, my friends! However, you can make this recipe on a stove top with either a grill pan or even your every day pan. You’ll miss that extra flavor component, but it will still be satisfying and flavorful. You can use a gas grill as well. That’s it, my friends! I hope you enjoy this easy al pastor tacos recipe. Homemade! NOTE: This post was updated on 5/1/24 to include new information and photos. It was originally published on 4/24/19.
