Tacos Al Pastor

This authentic Tacos Al Pastor recipe features tender marinated pork grilled with smoky chiles and sweet pineapple for bold Mexican street-style flavor. Perfect for taco nights, parties, and family dinners, these tacos are made with juicy pork, fresh cilantro, onion, and lime on warm corn tortillas. Easy to make at home with simple ingredients for restaurant-quality results.

Ingredients

For the Pork:

• 3 lb pork shoulder, sliced into wide, thin pieces
• 4 pineapple spears

For the Marinade:

• 6 guajillo chiles
• 1 chile de árbol
• 5 cloves garlic
• ¼ onion
• 10 whole black peppercorns
• 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• 2 packets Sazon Goya* or 1 tablespoon ground achiote powder
• 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup pineapple juice or orange juice

For the Tacos:

• 15 corn tortillas, white or yellow
• ½ cup pickled red onion or chopped red/white onion
• ½ cup fresh chopped cilantro
• Lime wedges
• Creamy avocado salsa* (optional, for serving)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Pork:
Trim off any large pieces of fat and slice the pork horizontally into long, ¼-inch thick slices. (You can ask your butcher to do this for you.)

2. Soften the Chiles:
Remove seeds and veins from the dried guajillo and árbol chiles. Place them in a small saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 15 minutes until softened.

3. Blend the Marinade:
Transfer the softened chiles and ¼ cup of their cooking water to a high-powered blender. Add onion, garlic, peppercorns, oregano, cumin, allspice, cloves, ginger, achiote, salt, vinegar, and juice. Blend until the sauce is completely smooth.

4. Marinate the Pork:
Place the sliced pork in a large bowl or resealable bag. Pour the marinade over the meat, ensuring all slices are well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for deeper flavor.

5. Grill the Pork:
Preheat your grill to high heat. Remove pork from the marinade and grill for a few minutes per side, until just shy of 145°F internal temperature. Remove from heat and let rest for several minutes before chopping.

6. Grill the Pineapple:
Lightly brush the pineapple spears with olive oil and grill until caramelized on both sides. Remove and chop into small chunks.

7. Assemble the Tacos:
Warm the tortillas on a hot dry skillet or grill. Add chopped pork, grilled pineapple, onion, and cilantro. Finish with a squeeze of lime juice and a drizzle of avocado salsa if desired.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Tacos Al Pastor recipe captures the authentic Mexican street-style flavor with tender marinated pork and juicy grilled pineapple. It’s ideal for weekend gatherings, BBQ nights, or taco parties. Every bite bursts with sweet, smoky, and spicy notes that perfectly balance each other.

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Tips

• Slice Evenly: Keeping the pork slices uniform helps them cook quickly and evenly.
• Use a Hot Grill: High heat adds smoky char and caramelizes the marinade beautifully.
• Marinate Overnight: The longer you marinate, the richer the flavor.
• Warm Tortillas Properly: A quick sear on the grill keeps tortillas soft yet sturdy.

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Variations and Substitutions

• Protein Options: Swap pork with chicken thighs or tofu for a lighter twist.
• Chiles: Substitute guajillo chiles with ancho chiles if unavailable.
• Juice Choice: Pineapple juice gives sweetness; orange juice adds a tangier note.
• Cooking Method: If you don’t have a grill, use a hot skillet or broil in the oven.

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FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! You can marinate the pork up to 24 hours in advance. Cooked pork can be stored in the fridge for 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

What if I don’t have achiote or Sazon Goya?
You can replace them with a mix of paprika and a pinch of turmeric for color and mild flavor.

Is it spicy?
It has mild heat from the chiles, but you can adjust by adding or reducing chile de árbol.

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Serving and Suggestions

Serve Tacos Al Pastor hot off the grill with fresh lime wedges, cilantro, and grilled pineapple. Pair with Mexican rice, refried beans, or elote (Mexican street corn) for a complete meal. Add a side of creamy avocado salsa or salsa verde for extra flavor. Perfect for taco nights, parties, or summer cookouts.