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Tacos al pastor stuffed with grilled pork, pineapple, red onion and cilantro.
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Tacos Al Pastor

This recipe for tacos al pastor is tender pork that's coated in a sweet and savory marinade, then grilled to perfection. The tacos are topped with grilled pineapple, red onion and cilantro
Course Main
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Marinating Time 1 hour
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 338kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

For the marinade

  • 2 pounds pork shoulder cut into 1/4 inch thick slices
  • 2 teaspoons garlic chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 4 dried guajillo chilies seeds and stems removed, then softened in very hot water for 5 minutes
  • 1 tablespoon liquid agave or honey
  • 1/4 cup pineapple juice
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons achiote paste

For the tacos

  • 12 corn tortillas warmed
  • 1 pineapple peeled and cut into 1/2 inch thick slices
  • 1/4 cup red onion diced
  • 1/4 cup cilantro leaves minced

Instructions

  • Place the garlic, oregano leaves, cumin, salt, pepper, guajillo chilies, agave, pineapple juice, white vinegar, achiote paste and 1/2 cup water in a small pot. Bring to a simmer.
  • Cook for 3 minutes, then cool for 10 minutes.
  • Pour the marinade ingredients into a blender; blend until smooth.
  • Place the pork in a large bowl and add the marinade. Toss to coat completely. Chill, then refrigerate for at least one hour, or up to 24 hours.
  • Preheat a grill or indoor grill pan to medium high heat. 
  • Place the pork and pineapple slices on the grill. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until pork is just cooked through.
  • Coarsely chop the pork and pineapple.
  • Divide the pork between the tortillas. Top with the chopped pineapple, red onion and cilantro, then serve immediately.

Notes

  1. The easiest way to get thin slices of pork is to partially freeze your pork shoulder roast before you cut it. Chill it for about 30 minutes and you’ll be ready to go.
  2. This recipe calls for two specialty ingredients: dried guajillo chiles and achiote paste. If you can’t find dried guajillo chiles, you can substitute dried ancho chiles which are available in most grocery stores. Achiote paste comes in a jar in the ethnic foods aisle. It’s a colorful and fragrant paste made of annatto seeds and spices, and it gives the meat in this dish its characteristic red color.

Nutrition

Calories: 338kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 678mg | Potassium: 604mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 130IU | Vitamin C: 74.8mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 2.4mg