Go Back
+ servings
Tacos al pastor topped with white onions, pineapple and fresh cilantro.
Print

Tacos al Pastor at home

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.    
Course Tacos
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword al pastor in english, how to make tacos al pastor at home, tacos al pastor receta, tacos al pastor recipe authentic
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 362kcal

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.

You can also use your gas or charcoal grill to cook the marinated pork steaks.

    Slice the meat finely and make your tacos with warm tortillas, topped with chopped onion and cilantro, onion, pineapple and a salsa of your choice.

      Notes

      • This is my old Rotisserie but you can buy the new version of the Vertical Rotisserie.
      • This adobo sauce is great with the pork meat for your tacos, choose your own cooking method.
       

      Nutrition

      Serving: 2tacos | Calories: 362kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 90mg | Sodium: 527mg | Potassium: 799mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1290IU | Vitamin C: 6.5mg | Calcium: 93mg | Iron: 3.4mg