Authentic Tacos al Pastor

Tacos al pastor is a quintessential Mexican dish, with tender pork and pineapple marinated in a savory and aromatic chile sauce. Serve with warm corn tortillas, tomatillos salsa, and lemon or lime wedges.


Latin American · Mexican · Main Dishes · Tacos


Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 5 hrs
Additional Time: 4 hrs
Servings: 10

Ingredients

Ingredients List
  • 1 tomato

  • 3 dried guajillo chile peppers, seeded

  • 2 dried ancho chile peppers, seeded

  • 1 pineapple, sliced 3/4-inch thick

  • ½ cup orange juice

  • 1 onion, quartered

  • ¼ cup white vinegar

  • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

  • 1 tablespoon salt, or to taste

  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed

  • 3 cloves

  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

  • 2 pounds boneless pork loin, thinly sliced


Directions

  1. Cook tomato on a ridged grill pan over medium-high heat until slightly blackened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool until easily handled. Peel off skin and remove seeds.

  2. Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add guajillo and ancho chile peppers; cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Drain.

  3. Combine tomato flesh, softened chile peppers, 2 slices pineapple, orange juice, quartered onion, vinegar, chipotle peppers, salt, garlic, cloves, cumin seeds, and oregano in a blender; blend until smooth.

  4. Arrange pork slices in a glass or ceramic baking dish. Pour blended mixture over pork, ensuring all sides are evenly coated. Cover baking dish with plastic wrap.

  5. Marinate pork in the refrigerator, 4 hours to overnight.

  6. Cook remaining pineapple slices on a ridged grill pan over medium-high heat until slightly blackened and soft, about 5 minutes per side. Chop into small pieces.

  7. Wipe out grill pan and preheat over medium-high heat. Cook marinated pork in the hot pan, turning once, until browned, 4 to 5 minutes.

  8. Chop pork coarsely into small pieces against the grain. Serve with pineapple, chopped onion, and cilantro.


Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Nutrition Facts
204 Calories
6g Fat
23g Carbs
17g Protein


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