Tacos al pastor are one of Mexico's most famous taco dishes. Thin slices of pork, marinaded and seared to perfection, make these delicious tacos one of my favorites. Learn how to make this juicy and tender meat at home for your next taco party, and you will surely impress your family and guest.
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Authentic Tacos al Pastor at Home
As a Mexican living abroad, it is not easy for me to satisfy the craving for eating really good Tacos al Pastor or Tacos de Trompo, as we call them, in my hometown. Over the years, I tried different methods to mimic the tacos sold in Mexico and failed. One method was stacking the meat and baking it in the oven, but it just didn't work the same. I also tried the kabob style on a baking sheet covered with aluminum foil and got better results than other methods.
I tried many methods until one day, I visited blogger Kalofas and saw his Gyro recipe. Then I thought of trying my tacos al pastor recipe on a vertical rotisserie, and Bingo! So from now on, this is my favorite way to cook tacos al pastor and Tacos Arabes, Gyros, Chicken Shawarma, and whole chicken. If you want to try the Carousel Rotisserie, check on Amazon to find it and new models.
This Tacos al Pastor recipe was given to me by my sister; she wrote the recipe while watching a TV show in Mexico. The recipe came from the contest winner for the best Tacos al Pastor in Mexico City. The most famous taquerias were represented there, and the winner was kind enough to share his recipe. I hope you give it a try.
Photo courtesy of Mexico Alternativo
Frequently Asked Questions About Traditional Tacos al Pastor.
Before I share my recipe, I will answer the questions I usually get about this easy recipe.
What is taco al pastor?
In the 1920s, Lebanese immigrants arrived in Mexico and introduced their culinary dishes to our culture. After some time, their recipe changed and was modified into what it is today. Depending on localities, tacos al pastor are known by other names like “tacos de trompo” or “tacos de adobada”.
Tacos al pastor is thin slices of pork, marinade with spices, and pineapple or orange juice. Then the meat is stacked in the shape of an inverted top and traditionally cooked on a vertical spit. Then, thinly cut and serve in corn tortillas, pineapple, green salsa, and lime wedges. Tacos al pastor are a favorite dish in Mexico, and like many other tacos, they are sold at taco stands and Mexican restaurants.
What cut of meat is used for tacos al pastor?
The best meat for these tacos al pastor is boneless pork shoulder. Then, the meat is marinade and slow-cooked on a spinning spit roast. This cut of meat and cooking method keeps the meat tender on the inside and roasted in the outer layer.
What is al pastor flavor?
The flavor for al pastor is very specific. The marinade's flavor is an adobo sauce made with dried chiles, garlic, vinegar, sometimes achiote paste, and Mexican spices. The mixture of pork and adobo is sweet and tangy, making it an explosion of flavors in your mouth.
What kinda toppings to use?
Typically tacos al pastor are served in a warm corn tortilla and topped with chopped white onions, grilled pineapple, cilantro, green salsa, and a squeeze of lime juice. However, you can always add your favorite toppings.
How to store your tacos al pastor meat.
To store al pastor meat, place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Then, place your al pastor meat on a medium-heat skillet until warm for re-heating. To preserve your toppings fresh, store them separately.
How to make Tacos al Pastor Recipe
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you'll need to make this tacos al pastor dish:
For the Marinade
- Guajillo peppers
- Achiote paste
- Pineapple juice
- White vinegar
- Garlic cloves
- Dried Mexican oregano
- Ground cumin
- Ground black pepper
- Cloves
- Salt
For the tacos
- Pork butt Shoulder
- Salt and pepper to season the meat
- White onion cut into slices
- Pineapple rings
- Fresh cilantro
- White onion
- Corn tortillas
- An excellent spicy salsa of your choice
INSTRUCTIONS:
I will break down the directions to make tacos al pastor into sections to make things easier for you.
For the Marinade
- Place the guajillo chiles in a saucepan and cover with water. Simmer over medium high heat until they look soft. Let them cool and drain. (Please check the ingredients list below)
- Place peppers, vinegar, and pineapple juice with the spices and achiote paste in your blender and process it until you have a smooth sauce.
- Then, pour the sauce slowly through a fine sieve for a nice homogenous texture.
- Season the meat with salt and pepper. Place the sauce and steaks in a large bowl, marinate the meat, or use a pastry brush.
- Marinade for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Cooking on a frying pan
This method is the easiest since almost anyone has a frying pan or skillet at home.
- Now, this is the easiest since almost anyone has a frying pan or skillet at home. Once your meat has marinated, cut it into small fine strips. Make sure to remove any excess adobo sauce.
- Warm the frying pan and add 1 – 2 Tablespoons of oil until hot enough that it sizzles when you place the meat. Add onion and pineapple slices along with the meat to cook.
- Make sure to turn the meat as needed to avoid the meat sticking to the pan. Do not overcrowd the pan, if needed, cook in batches.
Cooking in a Vertical Rotisserie:
- To cook in the Vertical Rotisserie, stake the meat intercalated with slices of onions and pineapple. Let any marinade drain for 20 minutes before starting the timer. 1 Hr. is enough to cook 2 pounds.
- After the meat is cooked, shave it with a sharp knife and place it in an already-warm skillet if you want extra crispy meat.
Cooking in your broiler:
- This option to make your tacos al pastor at home is using the broiler in your oven. Cut the meat as for Kabobs and insert into the skewer placing onion and pineapple slices between the meat.
- This method will take about 20 minutes to cook, rotating at least twice while cooking.
What To Serve With Tacos al Pastor
Slice the meat finely and make your tacos al pastor with warm corn tortillas, topped with chopped onion and cilantro, pineapple, and a salsa verde or salsa of your choice. Another way of serving your tacos is in a flour tortilla, melted cheese, al pastor meat, and pineapple. This version is a popular one in some northern of the country, also known as a “Gringa”
More Authentic Mexican Recipes:
If you enjoyed this recipe for Mexican tuna salad, take a look at some of these other authentic Mexican recipes:
For more recipes, follow Us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. in español Visit Us at Mexico en mi cocina
📖 Recipe
Tacos al Pastor at home
Ingredients
- 1 oz. guajillo peppers cleaned and seed removed About 4 peppers
- 1 oz. achiote paste
- ¼ cup pineapple juice you could use the juices from the sliced pineapple can
- ¼ cup white vinegar
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp. Mexican oregano
- ½ tsp. ground cumin
- ¼ tsp. ground black pepper
- 2 cloves
- 1 ¼ tsp. salt
FOR THE TACOS
- 2 Lbs. pork butt Shoulder cut in ⅓ inch steaks
- Salt and pepper to season the meat
- 1 medium size white onion cut in slices
- 1 can of pineapple rings
- 1 medium size bunch of cilantro washed and finely chopped
- 1 medium size onion finely chopped
- 12 Corn tortillas
- A good spicy salsa of your choice
Instructions
For the Marinade
- Place the peppers in a saucepan and cover with water. Simmer over medium heat until they look soft. Let them cool and drain.
- Place peppers, vinegar, and pineapple juice with the spices and achiote paste in your blender and process it until you have a smooth sauce.
- Then, pour the sauce slowly through a fine sieve for a nice homogenous texture.
- Season the meat with salt and pepper. Place the sauce and steaks in a large bowl, marinate the meat, or use a pastry brush.
- Marinade for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Cooking on a frying pan
- Now, this is the easiest since almost anyone has a frying pan or skillet at home. Once your meat has marinated, cut it into small fine strips. Make sure to remove any excess adobo sauce.
- Warm the frying pan and add 1 – 2 Tablespoons of oil until hot enough that it sizzles when you place the meat. Add onion and pineapple slices along with the meat to cook.
- Make sure to turn the meat as needed to avoid the meat sticking to the pan.
Cooking in a Vertical Rotisserie:
- To cook in the Vertical Rotisserie, stake the meat intercalated with slices of onions and pineapple. Let any marinade drain for 20 minutes before starting the timer. 1 Hr. is enough to cook 2 pounds.
- After the meat is cooked, shave it with a sharp knife and place it in an already-warm skillet to give it that crisper taste as they do at the taquerias in Mexico.
Cooking in your broiler:
- This option to make your tacos al pastor at home is using the broiler in your oven. Cut the meat as for Kabobs and insert into the skewer placing onion and pineapple slices between the meat.
- This method will take about 20 minutes to cook, rotating at least twice while cooking.
aaron
Note: This recipe doesn't say what to do with the 2 cloves listed in the ingredients. I omitted them because I don't think pastor needs that flavor but wonder if others used them.
Mely Martínez
Hello Aaron,
If you read carefully the recipe, in STEP 2, it says to add the spices, and that includes the clove spices. So glad you still made the recipe.
Happy cooking!
JN
Hi, I have a regular rotisserie and a small apartment. I just don't have room for another appliance! Will it still work with a regular rotisserie? Thanks!
Mely Martínez
Hello JN,
Yes, I think so.
You can still cook the meat in a regular skillet. You will enjoy the flavors of meat.
chris
al pastor is my absolute favorite and i also have a "regular" rotisserie in my air fryer. i plan on trying this recipe next week and will give you my findings!
chris
wow! i cut the shoulder into steak like pieces so i decided to use the basket (typically used for fish) instead of the spit for horizontal rotisserie roasting. first attempt was at too high a temp for too long (360 at 40 minutes), second try was PERFECT. 250 degrees for 32 minutes with slices of onion and fresh pineapple along for the ride. horizontal rotisserie is definitely a good thing as the juices continue to baste the meat as it spins. so tender and flavorful, i can't believe it. thank you mely!!!
Mely Martínez
Hi Chris,
So glad to know you like them!
Eloisa Rodriguez
Achiote paste what is this? Not familiar with this.
Mely Martínez
Hello,
It is a condiment made with annatto seed and spices. IF you live in the states, you can buy it at your local grocery store in the Latin section. or order via Amazon. Here is the link:https://amzn.to/3OimnNt
J Con
How long and what temp would i cook it on my bbq? I have a vertical skewer to stack it on.
Mely Martínez
Hello J Con,
Is the flame vertical too? Because, if it is a vertical roast pit like the ones used for Tacos al Pastor.
Those rotisseries have manual control to regulate the flame, the taqueros usually turn the flame to the highest setting, and start searing the meat.
Usually, they cook the meat 30 seconds to 1 minute per spot where the flame is cooking the meat. Then, the meat is cut into a thin slice and finishes the process on the hot griddle.
Stan Wolofsky
In Cozumel and just had a al pastor taco Was that amazing Would like to make when I get back to Canada So 2 questions - I assume you use a dry Chile and can you replicate using a horizontal rotisserie
Mely Martínez
Hello Stan,
Yes, it is dried peppers. I think it will work using a horizontal rotisserie. I, myself want to buy a new toaster oven with horizontal rotisserie just to try it.
Kate
Hello. I’ve never re-hydrated peppers before. Do I remove seeds and stems before simmering them? Or after? Thanks. Excited to try this.
Mely Martínez
Hello Kate,
You need to open the peppers, remove the seeds and the stem before adding them to the water.