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You are here: Home » Recipes » Tacos

Tacos Arabes Recipe

Published: Jan 5, 2019 · Updated: Jan 29, 2021 by Mely Martínez

JUMP TO RECIPE

Tacos Arabes. This traditional recipe will give you the authentic flavors from one of the most popular tacos in the City of Puebla, Mexico. Pork cooked with herbs & spices, in a thin flatbread that resembles a pita bread.

tacos arabes puebla recipe

The History behind Tacos Arabes

Arab cultural influences run very deep in Mexico. And even though those numerous manifestations might not be very evident at first sight, the more one looks, the more those influences are revealed until we see them all around us. Some appear in the exquisite designs of glazed pottery that grace the dining table or are adorned on the walls themselves, the product of Arabic master craftsmen.

tacos arabes puebla recipe s

In the 1800s amid ferocious political harassment and forced displacement, many Christian Arabs resolved to flee and find refuge in other Christian countries around the world, including Mexico, Arab immigrants legally entered Mexico, mainly refugees from Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq, most of whom settled in the central state of Puebla, although some smaller groups chose to settle in locations such as Baja California and Mexico City.

It is estimated that between 1871 and 1976, a total of 113,201 Arab citizens moved permanently and became simply known as “Arabs”, a term of endearment rather than a pejorative.

Tacos Arabes are served with a chipotle sauce

Tacos arabes taqueria taquero puebla

The Arab diaspora also brought their delicious culinary heritage, most notably the ubiquitous and humble kebab that was enthusiastically reinvented in Mexico. The idea itself of roasting meat on a naked flame wasn’t unknown in Mexico, but the introduction of the Lebanese shawarma or vertical rotating roaster was a great innovation for the country.

However, the method of serving kebabs, sliced roasted lamb in a round, soft and hot pita with a series of strong garnishing was too similar to a Mexican taco, and soon they were simply renamed as tacos Árabes.

Tacos Arabes Taquero

This traditional Lebanese way of cooking a heavily marinated lamb meat originally included spices such as caraway, cardamom, nutmeg, and ginger, but due to their scarcity and elevated prices in Mexico, they were simply left out, creating a new taste experience altogether.

Another change involved substituting lamb for pork, the latter being highly popular and common in Mexico, which was supplemented with a fiery and spiced chipotle salsa. Unwittingly, a culinary institution was born, and this proud tradition is particularly significant in the beautiful city of Puebla, where numerous Arab taquerias are hugely popular.

Rest assured that this tacos árabes recipe has not only been cross-checked with many master taqueros from the best and most traditional poblano taquerias, to ensure not only the quality but also the authenticity of this grand dish.

This recipe for Tacos Arabes is a Guest Post by Rocio Carvajal

Rocio Carbajal

About Rocio Carvajal:

Rocio Carvajal is a Mexican food history writer, cook and podcaster, through her work she unveils the inspiring and fascinating cultural history of Mexico’s national cuisine, a heritage she defines as an infinite source of inspiration, knowledge, and pleasure.

 Through SABOR! This is Mexican food and Pass the Chipotle Podcast she offers new perspectives of multicultural dialogue, opening up new discussions about traditions, evolution and better ways to understand one of the world’s most celebrated cuisines.

How to make Tacos Árabes

Timing

For the tacos Arabes meat

Marinade for 2 hours

Cook: 15 minutes

Arab salsa

Prep time: 10 minutes

This recipe makes enough meat and salsa to prepare 12-14 tacos

To make the Arabes tacos meat

Ingredients:

  • 500g – 1 lb pork steak, sliced thinly in strips

Marinade for the Tacos Árabes Meat

  • 2 tablespoon lime juice
  • 2 teaspoon standard white vinegar
  • 1 large Spanish onion, sliced in thin wedges
  • A handful of finely chopped parsley
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
  • 2 tablespoon oregano
  • 4 bay leaves
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • Generous pinch of salt
  • 4 tablespoon cooking oil

Instructions:

Tacos arabes puebla recipe
  1. Mix all the ingredients, except for the oil, in a bowl or re-sealable bag. Make sure the meat is covered evenly in the marinade and leave to rest in the fridge for at least 2 hours or even overnight if possible.
  2. To cook, first drain the excess liquid from your meat, then heat the oil in a big pan and fry gently until it cooks, will take about 15 minutes on medium heat.
  3. Serve with hot soft pita or flour tortillas.

TO MAKE THE TACOS ARABES TRADITIONAL SALSA

Ingredients:

  • 5 dried chipotles or 60g – 4 tablespoon chipotle paste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh or dried oregano
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste*
  • 125ml – 4.22 fl oz water
  • 4 tablespoon standard white vinegar •1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

  • Remove the stem from the chilies and discard the seeds. Use all of the water to boil them for five minutes, after that leave them soaking for five more minutes to cool.
  • In a blender, mix all the ingredients including the water you used to boil the chilies. Blend until it turns into a smooth puree and season with salt to taste.
  • If you’re using a paste, proceed to put all the ingredients directly in a blender and puree, and season with salt last.

* The traditional recipe that taquerias use does not contain any tomatoes, poblanos really love very spiced and piquant salsas! So I have added the tomato paste to round the flavors and make them less sharp and strong.

Tacos arabes puebla recipe -1

If you enjoy listening to Podcasts that enrich your life and leave you with a happy feeling, I highly recommend you to listen to Pass The Chipotle Podcast. Rocio will take you on a wonderful culinary journey full of history and marvelous flavors and aromas. Plus, her magazine also includes Mexican recipes.

Connect with Rocio Carvajal via Instagram  &  Twitter

Pass the Chipotle Podcast is available on:

iTunes , Stitcher , Youtube , and Pass the Chipotle. com

al pastor tacos and tacos arabes recipe

If you like these tacos, you will love the Tacos al Pastor recipe.

📖 Recipe

tacos arabes puebla recipe

Tacos Árabes Recipe

Mely Martínez
Tacos Arabes. This traditional recipe will give you the authentic flavors from one of the most popular tacos in the City of Puebla, Mexico. Pork cooked with herbs & spices, in a thin flatbread that resembles a pita bread.
4.85 from 13 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 2 hrs
Total Time 35 mins
Course Tacos
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 12 - 14 Tacos
Calories 111 kcal

Ingredients
  

To make the Arabes tacos meat

  • 500 g – 1 lb pork steak sliced thinly in strips
  • Marinade for the Tacos Árabes Meat
  • 2 tablespoon lime juice
  • 2 teaspoon standard white vinegar
  • 1 large Spanish onion sliced in thin wedges
  • A handful of finely chopped parsley
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
  • 2 tablespoon oregano
  • 4 bay leaves
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • Generous pinch of salt
  • 4 tablespoon cooking oil

To make the Tacos Arabes Traditional Salsa

  • 5 dried chipotles or 60g – 4 tablespoon chipotle paste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh or dried oregano
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste*
  • 125 ml – 4.22 fl oz water
  • 4 tablespoon standard white vinegar •1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

To make the Arabes tacos meat

  • Mix all the ingredients, except for the oil, in a bowl or re-sealable bag. Make sure the meat is covered evenly in the marinade and leave to rest in the fridge for at least 2 hours or even overnight if possible.
  • To cook, first drain the excess liquid from your meat, then heat the oil in a big pan and fry gently until it cooks, will take about 15 minutes on medium heat.
  • Serve with hot soft pita or flour tortillas.

To make Tacos Arabes

  • Remove the stem from the chilies and discard the seeds. Use all of the water to boil them for five minutes, after that leave them soaking for five more minutes to cool.
  • In a blender, mix all the ingredients including the water you used to boil the chilies. Blend until it turns into a smooth puree and season with salt to taste.
  • If you’re using a paste, proceed to put all the ingredients directly in a blender and puree, and season with salt last.

* The traditional recipe that taquerias use does not contain any tomatoes, poblanos really love very spiced and piquant salsas! So I have added the tomato paste to round the flavors and make them less sharp and strong.

    If you enjoy listening to Podcasts that enrich your life and leave you with a happy feeling, I highly recommend you to listen to Pass The Chipotle Podcast. Rocio will take you on a wonderful culinary journey full of history and marvelous flavors and aromas. Plus, her magazine also includes Mexican recipes.

      Nutrition

      Calories: 111kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 8gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 325mgPotassium: 195mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 170IUVitamin C: 4.6mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 1.1mg
      Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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      Reader Interactions

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      1. Howard Bartlett

        August 24, 2021 at 8:02 pm

        5 stars
        Is the Oregano of the Mediterranean (Greek & Turkish - which I love) style or is it Mexican Oregano (which I love & adore even more) ?

        Reply
        • Mely Martínez

          August 29, 2021 at 3:07 pm

          Hello Howard,
          It uses Mexican oregano.

          Reply
      2. Marc C

        August 22, 2021 at 7:04 pm

        Mmmmmmmm............!
        We are sooooo making this a.s.a.p. !
        I want to just hang out with the guy slicing meat from the vertical roaster !
        I love Taco's al Pastor. One of my go-to favorites.

        Muchos gracias !!

        Reply
      3. Nora Jimenez

        January 02, 2021 at 4:03 am

        Thank you so much for posting this recipe. You are the best Mely 💖
        Happy New Year.

        Reply
      4. Josh

        November 22, 2019 at 2:30 pm

        You cook everything together that is in the marinade correct?

        Reply
        • Mely Martínez

          November 22, 2019 at 10:09 pm

          Hello Josh,
          Yes!

          Reply
      5. Gwen Vazquez

        June 13, 2019 at 6:25 am

        I don’t understand the amount of vinegar to add. Recipe says 2 tsp oz.??

        Reply
        • mmartinez

          June 26, 2019 at 5:46 pm

          Hello Gewn,
          Thank you for noticing that, it is 2 tsp. Enjoy your tacos!

          Reply
      6. Greg

        February 10, 2019 at 8:30 pm

        For the marinade are the bay leaves and oregano fresh or dried?

        Reply
        • mmartinez

          February 11, 2019 at 11:29 am

          Hello Greg,

          Use dried bay leaves and oregano.

          Reply
      7. Clara

        January 22, 2019 at 5:59 am

        5 stars
        How long does the pork need to sit in the marinade for? I would think it takes some time to soak up the onion-y goodness.
        And now I want this for dinner. The easiest way to make al pastor and this is to go to an Asian market and buy pork butt already sliced. Actually I can even get jowl which would probably be really good mixed with the butt.
        Thanks

        Reply
        • mmartinez

          January 22, 2019 at 11:16 am

          Hello Clara,
          Step number one indicates the timing.
          Make sure the meat is covered evenly in the marinade and leave to rest in the fridge for at least 2 hours or even overnight if possible.

          Reply
          • Kendo

            May 30, 2019 at 11:40 am

            Making these today - they look yummy! Question, do you add the salsa as a topping or do you mix it into the fried pork steak?

          • mmartinez

            June 03, 2019 at 3:14 pm

            Hello Kendo,
            The salsa is as a topping in these amazing tacos Arabes.

      8. Tiffany tifferella

        January 09, 2019 at 9:15 pm

        5 stars
        I enjoyed the historical background. I will definitely be looking for the ingredients to make this someday. Thank you Rocio and Mely.

        Reply
      9. Timothy Jackson

        January 08, 2019 at 4:51 pm

        Great taste and thoroughly enjoyed. I remember.having severalis Guadalajara.

        Reply
      10. Claudia Diaz

        January 08, 2019 at 2:11 pm

        MMMMM! Going to make them with the salsa.
        Thank you so much

        Reply

      Primary Sidebar

      About me

      Hi, I'm Mely Martinez, a former Mexican school teacher, home cook, and food blogger. I moved to the United States about ten years ago, after living in Mexico my whole life. Now I love to share home-style recipes for authentic Mexican food.
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