Tacos Al Pastor
This Tacos Al Pastor recipe makes the best street-style pork tacos in under 30 minutes! Enjoy the flavorful combination of savory, juicy pork and sweet, acidic pineapple for a tasty, anytime meal.
So, what is al pastor? It’s an authentic Mexican method of slow cooking pork, traditionally on a rotating vertical spit, seasoned with pineapple and chili peppers. The meat is then thinly sliced and enjoyed on tacos, burritos, or rice bowls.
I love to load al pastor pork onto a warm corn tortilla with salsa, fresh cilantro, grilled pineapple and a squeeze of fresh lime. These seemingly simple tacos taste gourmet with the combination of bold flavors. They make a great main dish on their own or paired with sides like Mexican street corn or black beans and rice.
If you’re looking for more Mexican inspired dishes, try my low carb taco casserole, Mexican stuffed zucchini boats, or cheesy keto taco soup.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Allergen Friendly. These al pastor pork tacos are naturally gluten-free and dairy free so those with intolerances or sensitivities can enjoy!
- Easy Prep. This easy recipe comes together in just 25 minutes, making it a great meal to enjoy any day of the week.
- Authentic Flavors. Experience the classic combination of Mexican-inspired flavors without leaving your kitchen.
Recipe Ingredients
Below are the simple ingredients you will need to make this tacos al pastor recipe. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page to see the exact amounts for each ingredient.
- Pork Shoulder: I recommend slicing the raw pork into strips big enough that they won’t fall through the grill.
- Pineapple: You will need fresh pineapple sliced into large spears as well as pineapple juice.
- Lime Juice: Use some limes for freshly squeezed lime juice for the freshest flavor.
- Seasonings: A bold blend of chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and Mexican oregano.
- Chipotle Peppers: Canned chipotle peppers makes prep easier. You just need two from the can, chopped into smaller pieces.
- Adobo Sauce: Made with chiles, tomatoes, garlic, vinegar, onions and garlic, the chipotle peppers will come packed in this delicious sauce. Just scoop it from the can after removing the peppers.
How to Make Al Pastor Tacos
Below are photos and recipe steps so you can easily make this recipe at home. You will also need a grill, large mixing bowl, knife, and a cutting board.
Marinate
Slice a fresh pineapple into large spears or pieces (large enough so they don’t fall through the grill) and set them aside for later. Then dice ¾ cup of pineapple and set it aside to use in the marinade. Combine the diced pineapple, juices, vinegar, spices, chipotle peppers, and adobo sauce in a large mixing bowl. Add the pork slices to the mixture and marinate for 4-8 hours.
Grill
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Remove the pork from the marinade and place it on the grill. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, until cooked through. Then grill the large pieces of pineapple on all sides until charred.
Assemble
Dice the grilled pineapple and cooked pork. Place corn tortillas on the grill for a few seconds each side until browned. Assemble the tacos with the tortillas, salsa, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges, and enjoy!
Serve
Enjoy al pastor tacos on their own or as a main course with a variety of different side dishes. Below are a few of our favorite things to serve with this recipe.
Tips and Tricks
- Slice the pork before marinating it to help it absorb more flavor and cook quicker on the grill. It’s okay if you prefer thin slices of pork, just be sure to slice the pieces large enough so they don’t fall through the grill.
- Give the pork proper time to marinate for the most robust flavor. The longer it sits, the more flavorful it will be.
- Add additional toppings like avocado or a dollop of guacamole, pico de gallo, or cotija cheese.
Tacos Al Pastor FAQ
Store leftover pork and grilled pineapple in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.
Al pastor is traditionally made using boneless pork shoulder, a cut of meat just above the front leg. You can also make al pastor with pork butt, which is a cut further down on the leg. The meat is slow-cooked to juicy perfection and then typically sliced thin before enjoying.
I cooked sliced pork at 450 degrees F on a Traeger grill for a total of 8 minutes. If you don’t slice the pork before grilling, it will likely take longer to cook. Make sure to cook the meat until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
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Get the Recipe: Tacos Al Pastor
Ingredients
- 2-2 ½ lbs pork shoulder, sliced into strips (big enough so they don’t fall through the grill)
- 1 large pineapple
- ½ cup pineapple juice
- ¼ cup lime juice
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 canned chipotle peppers, chopped
- 2 tbsp adobo sauce, from the can
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 ½ tsp Mexican oregano
Tacos
- 12 small corn tortillas, regular, low carb, or gluten free
- Salsa
- Cilantro, chopped
- Lime wedges
- Grilled pineapple, from above
Instructions
- Slice pineapple into large spears or pieces (large enough so they don’t fall through the grill). Dice ¾ cup of the pineapple and set aside for the marinade. Set the large pineapple pieces aside for later.
- Combine the ¾ cup diced pineapple, juices, vinegar, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, salt and oregano in a large bowl. Add the sliced pork, and marinade for 4-8 hours.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Remove the pork from the marinade and place it on the grill. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, until cooked through. Grill the large pieces of pineapple on all sides as well, until charred.
- Diced the grilled pineapple and cooked pork, then assemble the tacos!
Notes
- I prefer slicing the pork, then marinating it just because it cooks much faster and it absorbs more flavor if it’s sliced. Make sure to slice it in big enough pieces so that it doesn’t fall through the grill.
- Store leftover pork and grilled pineapple for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
- These tacos are really flavorful, the pork is spicy and the pineapple is sweet and acidic, the perfect combination!
- I cooked the pork at 450 degrees on my Traeger grill and it cooked in about 8 minutes. If you don’t slice the pork beforehand it will likely take longer to cook. Make sure to cook it to 145 degrees internal temp.
