This al pastor recipe is designed with small kitchens in mind so you can bring this classic Mexican dish into your home without compromising on the taste. The chili and pineapple marinade tenderizes the pork and infuses it with an intense depth of unforgettable flavor.
Originating in Central Mexico, al pastor is traditionally cooked on a vertical spit where the thinly sliced pork shoulder is layered to create what’s known as a trompo. At either end of the trompo is half a pineapple that is sliced and served with the meat. The trompo would usually be cooked on a barbecue or over an open fire.
The issue is that most of us don’t have space for a trompo in our small, rented apartment ovens, let alone room for a whole barbeque! So I decided to design a recipe that delivers all the flavours of this classic dish but makes it more accessible to the average home cook. Removing the trompo and cooking the pork on a baking sheet is an easy way to maintain the flavor while making it possible in a small oven. But I have also included a trompo method for those of you who want to try it the traditional way.
Why you will love this tacos Al Pastor recipe
Expert tips before you start…
Oven-Friendly Tacos Al Pastor
Equipment
- Blender
Ingredients
- 8 dried guajillo peppers
- 1 onion
- 6 whole black peppercorns
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp cumin
- 1 tbsp sunflower oil
- 1 tin pineapple chunks (juice and chunks separated)
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 7 oz chipotle peppers in adobo
- 3 lb pork shoulder or tenderloin cut thinly
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
For the trompo method (optional):
- 1 whole pineapple
Instructions
- Gather the ingredients.
Prepare the marinade:
- Remove the seeds and stems from the guajillo chillis. Soak in hot water for 15 minutes to rehydrate.
- Roughly chop the onion and and the garlic. No need for a neat dice; they will end up being blended anyway.
- Place the black peppercorns, cumin, ground cloves, and ground ginger into a cold pan and turn the heat up to medium. This will allow the spices to toast slowly. Once the spices are fragrant, add the oil and allow it to warm. Then, add the onions and garlic. Toast off the aromatics until the onions have softened and browned slightly.
- Place the onion mixture, guajillo peppers, chipotle peppers, apple cider vinegar, and ¼ cup of the pineapple juice in a blender and blend until smooth.
Prepare and marinade the meat:
- If the pork is in very large pieces, cut it into smaller, more manageable chunks.
- Pour the marinade over the pork and massage it into the meat until every piece is evenly covered. Cover and place in the fridge to marinade for a minimum of 4 hours but, ideally, overnight.
Cook the taco fillings:
- Preheat your oven to 500 F on the broil setting. Cover a baking sheet in tin foil and spread the pineapple chunks across it. Sprinkle over the salt and smoked paprika and mix until the chunks are evenly coated. Broil for 20 minutes are until the pineapple turns golden.
- Place the pork in one even layer on a baking sheet, removing any extra marinade first. You will need to do a few batches. Broil the pork for 6-8 minutes.
Trompo cooking method (Optional):
- Place the bottom half of the pineapple on a baking sheet and pierce it through the center with a long skewer. Piece by piece, layer the pork on top of the pineapple to form an even tower. Top with the other slice of pineapple.
- Slow cook for 2.5-3 hours at 275 F or until the internal temperature reaches 145 F.
- Cut the pork into small, bite-sized pieces and serve in tacos with the pineapple, salsa, and guacamole.
Nutrition
Serving Suggestions
Al pastor is traditionally served as a taco-filling, so why not whip up some homemade flour or corn tortillas to serve your al pastor in?
Storage Suggestions
The leftover al pastor can be transferred to an airtight container when it has cooled. It can be stored in the fridge for up to three days.
The cooked pork can also be stored in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
Tacos Al Pastor FAQ
What is the meaning of al pastor?
Al pastor translates to ‘shepherd style’, which refers to the traditional cooking style of cooking a trompo over a fire.
Is al pastor spicy?
Even though the marinade has a lot of chilis in it, the actual flavor is only mildly spicy. It’s a very approachable dish for those who don’t eat a lot of spice.
Does al pastor always have pineapple?
Traditional al pastor features pineapple as a key ingredient as it adds sweetness to the salty, spicy pork. But I know many people don’t like that combo, so feel free to leave it out if it’s not to your taste.
Did you enjoy this recipe? Let us know in the comments below and share the pictures of the final result!
