Taco night is a big hit at my house, especially when tacos al pastor are on the menu. That combination of smoky pork and sweet pineapple just can’t be beat! If you’re a taco fan, you’ll also want to try my turkey tacos, steak tacos or carnitas tacos for a taste of Mexico at home. I love to order tacos al pastor at my local taqueria, it’s one of my all time favorite Mexican dishes. I decided it was time to learn to make these tacos at home, and the end result is fabulous!
Tacos Al Pastor Ingredients
To make this recipe, you will need boneless pork shoulder, garlic, oregano, cumin, kosher salt, black pepper, guajillo chilies, agave or honey, pineapple juice, white vinegar, achiote paste, tortillas, pineapple, red onion and cilantro.
How Do You Make Tacos Al Pastor?
Place the garlic, oregano, cumin, salt, pepper, chilies, agave or honey, pineapple juice, vinegar and achiote paste in a pot with some water and bring to a simmer. Cool, then transfer to a blender. Blend until the mixture is smooth, then add this marinade to a bowl with pork shoulder. Let the pork marinate in the sauce for a minimum of an hour. Grill the pork as well as some pineapple slices. Chop up the pork and pineapple, then add it to tortillas along with red onion and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges and enjoy!
Tips For Pork Tacos
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. I typically use pork shoulder for tacos al pastor because it’s tender and juicy. You can also use pork loin, or boneless pork country ribs. If you don’t have fresh pineapple available, you can grill up canned pineapple rings to go on your tacos. While I often serve these tacos on corn tortillas, flour tortillas are also a great choice.
Toppings For Tacos Al Pastor
The traditional way to serve these tacos is with pineapple on top. That being said, there are many other ingredients you can add to your tacos to customize them to your tastes.
Cheese: Try some grated cotija, cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese. Salsa: These tacos pair perfectly with homemade pico de gallo or salsa verde. Avocado: Add some sliced fresh avocado or a dollop of Chipotle guacamole. Greens: These tacos are great with a little shredded green or purple cabbage, or romaine lettuce. Veggies: Try adding a little fresh corn or some pickled red onions.
These tacos are a must-have for any Cinco de Mayo gathering. They’re the perfect blend of sweet and savory and it’s a nice change from the typical chicken or beef tacos. You’ll be sure to get rave reviews with this recipe!
