How to Make Authentic Tacos al Pastor at Home, follow our tacos al pastor recipe step by step to make tacos at home
Hola, amigos! Welcome to my blog, where I share with you my passion for different cuisines and in this recipe today I’m sharing Mexican Cuisine Tacos Al Pastor Recipe.
Today, I’m going to show you how to make al pastor tacos, the most popular and delicious tacos in Mexico.
If you have ever been to Mexico, you have probably seen or tasted these amazing tacos. Even if not you must have tasted tacos or seen them in nearby restaurants or food trucks in United Stated.
Tacos are made with thin slices of marinated pork that are grilled on a vertical spit and served with charred pineapple, onion, cilantro, and salsa on warm corn tortillas.
They are juicy, tender, spicy, sweet, and tangy, and they will make your mouth water.

But what are al pastor tacos exactly? How can you make them at home without a vertical spit? Don’t worry, I have all the answers for you in this Al Pastor Tacos Recipe. You will learn everything you need to know about making al pastor tacos, their ingredients and preparation, and serving suggestions. I will also share some tips and tricks to make your al pastor tacos extra authentic and flavorful. By the end of this post, you will be able to make al pastor tacos at home like a pro and impress your family and friends with your skills.

What are Tacos al pastor?
Tacos al pastor are one of the most iconic and delicious dishes of Mexican cuisine. They are made with thin slices of pork that are marinated in a spicy and fruity sauce, then grilled on a vertical spit and shaved off into warm corn tortillas. They are topped with a fresh pineapple salsa that adds a sweet and tangy contrast to the meat. They are usually served with chopped onion, cilantro, lime wedges, and salsa of your choice
Tacos al pastor recipe
You can make tacos at home even if you live in Las Vegas, USA, or anywhere else where you don’t have Mexican restaurants near United States. See my recipe to make al pastor tacos step-by-step with authentic ingredients and flavors.
Tacos al pastor are a common street food in Mexico and have become popular in the United States as well. They are easy to make at home with a grill pan or a skillet, and they will fill your kitchen with a mouthwatering aroma. You will need some boneless pork shoulder or loin, which you will slice thinly and marinate for several hours or overnight. You will also need some dried chiles, pineapple juice, vinegar, garlic, spices, and achiote paste for the marinade. Achiote paste is a red paste made from annatto seeds, which gives the meat its characteristic color and flavor. You will also need some fresh pineapple, onion, cilantro, lime juice, and habanero chiles for the salsa.
Serving Suggestions
Al pastor tacos are usually served as a main course or a snack. You can enjoy them on their own or with some side dishes, such as:
Mexican rice
Refried beans
Guacamole
Pico de gallo
Mexican corn salad
Lime wedges
You can also serve them with some drinks, such as:
Horchata
Agua de Jamaica
Margarita
Michelada
Mexican beer

Tacos Al Pastor recipe, Grilled Tacos easy at home
Description
In this recipe, you will learn how to make al pastor tacos at home using a grill pan or a skillet. You will need some boneless pork shoulder (or loin),
If you are looking for al pastor tacos near me, you don’t need to go to a Mexican restaurant or a food truck. You can make al pastor tacos at home with this easy and authentic recipe. You will love the flavor and texture of these tacos, and you will impress your family and friends with your cooking skills.
Try this recipe for tacos al pastor today and enjoy!
This recipe is easy, quick, and flavorful, and it will make your house smell amazing!
Ingredients for Tacos al pastor
Ingredients
Instructions
To make a Marinade
Cook and Blend
To make the marinade, place the guajillo and ancho chiles in a small saucepan and cover with water.
Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat and simmer until soft, about 15 minutes.
Drain and transfer to a blender or a food processor.
Mix and Blend
Add the pineapple juice, vinegar, garlic, achiote paste, salt, oregano, cumin, cloves, and black pepper to the blender or food processor.
Blend until smooth.
Marinade the Meat
Pour the mixture over the pork slices and put in a large ziplock bag or a baking dish.
Make sure to coat the meat well and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to overnight.
To make the pineapple salsa
Mix and refrigerate
To make the pineapple salsa, chop half of the pineapple slices into small pieces and place them in a medium bowl.
Add the onion, cilantro, lime juice, habanero chiles (if using), and salt to taste. Toss well and refrigerate until ready to use.
Cook Pork & Pineapples
Cook the Pork
Heat a grill pan or a cast iron skillet over high heat.
Cook the pork slices in batches for about 2 minutes per side or until charred and cooked through.
Transfer to a cutting board and chop into small pieces. Keep warm in a covered bowl or an oven at low temperature.
Cook Pineapples
To cook the remaining pineapple slices, in same grill pan or a cast iron skillet over high heat.
Cook the pineapple slices for about 3 minutes per side or until charred and juicy.
Chop into small pieces and add to the pineapple salsa. Toss well to combine.
Serve Tacos al pastor
Prepare Tortillas
To serve the al pastor tacos, warm the tortillas on a comal (a flat griddle) or in a microwave. Just wrap them in a damp paper towel and heat for about 10 seconds or until soft and pliable.
Assemble and add toppings
Assemble the tacos with the pork, the pineapple salsa, and any other toppings you like, such as salsa verde, salsa roja, guacamole, queso fresco, sour cream, or lime wedges.
Enjoy your delicious and authentic tacos al pastor!
Servings 6
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 450kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 18g28%
- Saturated Fat 6g30%
- Cholesterol 90mg30%
- Sodium 420mg18%
- Total Carbohydrate 44g15%
- Dietary Fiber 7g29%
- Sugars 15g
- Protein 32g64%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Notes:
- You can adjust the spiciness of the al pastor tacos by adding more or less dried and fresh chiles to the marinade and the salsa. You can also use different types of chiles, such as pasilla, cascabel, or chipotle.
- You can use pork loin instead of pork shoulder for a leaner cut of meat, but it may be less tender and juicy. You can also use chicken, beef, or lamb for a different protein option.
- You can use canned pineapple instead of fresh pineapple, but make sure to drain it well and pat it dry before grilling. You can also use other fruits, such as mango, peach, or apple, for a different flavor.
- You can make the marinade and the salsa ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the marinated pork for up to 3 months and thaw it in the refrigerator before cooking.
Tips and Alternates:
- You can use a food processor or a blender to make the marinade. Just blend all the ingredients until smooth and pour over the pork slices in a large ziplock bag or a baking dish. Make sure to coat the meat well and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to overnight.
- You can use a grill pan or a cast iron skillet to cook the pork and the pineapple. Just heat the pan over high heat and cook the pork slices in batches for about 2 minutes per side or until charred and cooked through. Transfer to a cutting board and chop into small pieces. Cook the pineapple slices for about 3 minutes per side or until charred and juicy. Chop into small pieces and toss with onion, cilantro, lime juice, habanero chiles (if using), and salt to taste.
- You can warm the tortillas on a comal (a flat griddle) or in a microwave. Just wrap them in a damp paper towel and heat for about 10 seconds or until soft and pliable.
- You can customize your al pastor tacos with your favorite toppings, such as salsa verde, salsa roja, guacamole, queso fresco, sour cream, or lime wedges.
Equipments used/needed:
- A blender or a food processor
- A small saucepan
- A large ziplock bag or a baking dish
- A grill pan or a cast iron skillet
- A cutting board and a knife
- A medium bowl
- A comal (a flat griddle) or a microwave
I hope you enjoyed this post and learned how to make authentic al pastor tacos at home. I would love to hear from you in the comments below.
Have you ever tried al pastor tacos before? What did you think of them? How did you like this recipe? Did you make any changes or substitutions? How did they turn out? Do you have any questions or suggestions for me? Please let me know.
I appreciate your feedback and support. If you like please share this Tacos recipe. Thank you for reading and happy cooking! ¡Buen provecho!
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