Recipe: Tacos Al Pastor

The Tacos Al Pastor is a Mediterranean twist on the universally loved Mexican dish – tacos.

Instead of the typical beef or chicken used to make traditional Mexican tacos, the Mediterranean version uses the meat from pork shoulders or pork butts with freshly chopped onions and pineapple slices to top everything off—adding a whole new depth of flavour to the already delicious dish.

Authentic Tacos Al Pastor is made by stacking the pork meat in front of a verticle rotisserie. But, we understand that most common households don’t own one and can’t possibly buy one just for one recipe.

So, we’ve provided you with a Tacos Al Pastor recipe where you can recreate this delicious this on your own without having to own a verticle rotisserie! It’s easy-to-follow and yields delicious results.

Tacos Al Pastor Ingredients:

• Marinade

• • 1 oz. guajillo peppers cleaned and seed removed (about 4 peppers)
  • 1 oz. achiote paste
  • ¼ cup pineapple juice (you could use the juices from the sliced pineapple can)
  • ¼ cup white vinegar
  • 1 tsp. Mexican oregano
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
  • ¼ tsp. ground black pepper
  • 1 ¼ tsp. salt

• Tacos

  • 2 Lbs. pork butt Shoulder cut in 1/3 inch steaks
  • Salt and pepper to season the meat
  • 1 medium-size white onion cut in slices
  • 1 can of pineapple rings
  • 1 medium-size bunch of cilantro washed and finely chopped
  • 1 medium-size onion finely chopped
  • 12 Corn tortillas
  • A good, spicy salsa of your choice

Instructions:

1. Place all the peppers onto a pan and fill it with water. Let it simmer until the peppers look soft, approximately 15 minutes.
2. Combine the spices, peppers, pineapple juice, vinegar and achiote paste in a blender. Process until the sauce is smooth before pouring it slowly through a fine sieve. This is to make sure the sauce has a consistent texture. Season the sauce with salt to taste.
3. Meanwhile, season the meat with salt and pepper. In a large bowl, use a pastry brush to coat the meat in the sauce evenly.
4. Marinate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
5. Once marinated, cut the meat into small strips.
6. Heat 1-2 tablespoons of oil in a frying pan until it’s hot enough for the meat to sizzle upon contact — Grill the steaks, alongside some pineapples and onion slices for the taco (approximately 15 minutes).
7. Once cooked, make your tacos with warm tortillas, topped with chopped cilantro, onions, pineapples and a bowl of salsa of your choice. Enjoy!

Tacos Al Pastor Recipe 

There you have it, your very own homemade Tacos Al Pastor! Read more about the story behind this dish here, and you’ll be amazed by its rich cultural history. 

Are you looking for other similar dishes to try out? Check out our recipe on Gyro, pronounced ‘yee-ro’. This Greek dish consists of grilled meat being wrapped up in fresh pita bread- very similar to the concept of tacos. Gyros are incredibly delicious and easy to make. It even has its own national day!

But, if you’re not really in the mood to cook, why not order some tacos or Mexican food from a local restaurant on the foodpanda app instead! The foodpanda app offers a variety of cuisines and delivers straight to your doorstep.