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Three tacos al pastor with pineapple pico on top and lime garnish
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5 from 5 votes

Tacos Al Pastor

These tacos require little effort for the amount of flavor they bring. Just throw it together and let it marinade/bake while you prep for your next meal. 
Prep Time8 hours
Cook Time4 hours
Total Time12 hours
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: tacos al pastor, tacos al pastor recipe
Servings: 12 people
Calories: 202kcal

Ingredients

  • 5 lbs pork shoulder

Marinade

  • 1/4 cup guajillo chile powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano preferably Mexican
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • 3 garlic cloves halved
  • 2 chipotle chilies in adobo sauce
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1/2 cup pineapple juice
  • 1/4 cup distilled vinegar

Pineapple Salsa

  • 1 onion
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh pineapple diced
  • 1 bunch cilantro

The rest

  • Corn or flour tortillas
  • Limes

Instructions

  • Add marinade ingredients to a blender and blend until everything is pureed and smooth.
  • Trim fat from the pork shoulder and slice meat into small chunks or thin slices.
  • Put pork and marinade in a large zip top bag, or container that can be sealed, massage bag to make sure all of the pork is covered in the marinade mixture.
  • Marinade overnight (or minimum 8 hours)

Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Method:

  • Place marinated pork and remaining marinade in the Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker).
  • Cover with lid, and lock lid into place.
  • Set valve to sealing.
  • Press (Manual) and set cooking time to 65 minutes at the High Pressure
  • When done, let pressure naturally release for at least 15 minutes, then place pork in a 11x13" baking pan.
  • Heat oven to 225 degrees F.
  • Roast uncovered for 1 hour in 225°F oven to render fat and crisp up edges.

Oven Method:

  • Heat oven to 225 degrees F.
  • Remove pork from marinade and place in an 11 x 13 inch baking pan.
  • Roast at 225°F covered with aluminum foil for 4-5 hours.
  • Remove the aluminum foil and roasting for an additional hour until fork tender.

Grilling Method:

  • Set grill to a low to medium low heat (275 degrees).
  • Place meat in a covered aluminum pan, and place on grill and cook for 4 hours, make sure the grill maintains an even 275 degree heat.
  • After 4 hours, check meat, if not quite fork tender, uncover and cook up to an additional hour.
  • Grill tortillas until warm and slightly charred, about 10 seconds per side.
  • Grill pineapple until warm and slightly charred, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Mix salsa together by dicing grilled pineapple and finely chopping onion and cilantro, then stir together.
  • Serve meat in small tortillas topped with pineapple salsa and a squeeze of lime juice and hot sauce if desired.

Slow Cooker Method:

  • Place marinated pork and remaining marinade in the Crock pot or slow Cooker.
  • Cover with lid, and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
  • Once time is up, place pork in a 11x13" baking pan.
  • Heat oven to broil, and broil for 3-5 minutes to crisp up edges.

Nutrition

Calories: 202kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 477mg | Potassium: 468mg | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Vitamin C: 17.8mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1.7mg