Grilled Pork Tacos Al Pastor

Make delicious pork tacos al pastor at home on the grill with marinated pork shoulder, pineapple and warm tortillas.

What is pork al pastor?

Al pastor is a Mexican dish usually made with pork. The pork is marinated in dried chiles, spices, vinegar and pineapple. It’s traditionally cooked on a vertical spit called a trompo.

The dish was brought to Mexico from Lebanese immigrants, and the term al pastor translates to mean in the style of the shepherd.

Similar to shawarma, once it’s cooked, it’s shaved off with a knife and layered into tortillas to make tacos.

The flavor has a mild spice level with a touch of sweetness from the pineapple.

Get Recipe Ingredients

• Prep Pork: Cut the pork shoulder into thin steaks. Place in a large bowl.

• Marinade: To the pork, add the guajillo, achiote, pineapple juice, vinegar, garlic, oregano and brisket rub. Mix well. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

• Heat Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high heat with a direct heat zone.

• Skewer: Slice the marinated pork onto skewers. Add the pineapple chunks to a skewer, as well.

• Grill: Place the skewers on the grill over direct heat. Grill, turning often, until the internal temperature reaches at least 145F degrees and the pork and pineapple are charred.

• Chop: Remove the meat and pineapple from the skewers. Chop and place in bowls.

• Serve: Serve the tacos al pastor with tortillas and your favorite taco toppings.

Calories: 156kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 7gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 35mgPotassium: 328mgFiber: 4gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 1365IUVitamin C: 39mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Ingredients

• Pork Shoulder: I have a lot of leftover pork shoulder from when I make competition pork, so I use the trimmings in this recipe. If you don’t have trimmings, just buy a pork shoulder and cut it into thin pieces.
• Guajillo Powder: Chile guajillo is a mild smoky chile. You can either buy dried chiles, remove the stem and pulse them in a coffee grinder or blender to make a chili powder. Or, you can buy ground guajillo powder in the spice section.
• Achiote: This is a Mexican seasoning made with annatto seeds, MSG, turmeric and spices. It’s what gives the dish the bright red color. I use the achiote blend from Spiceology. You can also use 2-3 tablespoons of achiote paste.
• Pineapple Juice: Grab a six-pack of the little cans. You’ll need one can for this recipe.
• White Vinegar
• Garlic: If using fresh, use 3 garlic cloves. If using dried minced garlic, use 1 1/2 teaspoons.
• Mexican Oregano: Dried is fine.
• Girls Can Grill Brisket Rub: This rub includes kosher salt, black pepper, garlic guajillo and cumin, so it’s the perfect seasoning for this recipe.
• Fresh Pineapple: Remove the skin and core and cut into large chunks.
• Tortillas: Flour tortillas or corn tortillas are fine. I usually buy the small street tacos shells.
• Taco Toppings: I enjoy cilantro, diced onion, jalapeno slices and avocado.

Substitutions: You can also make this al pastor recipe with chicken or beef. 

See the full recipe card above for servings and a full list of ingredients.

How to cook pork tacos al pastor

1. STEP ONE: Slice the pork shoulder into thin steaks. Place them in a large bowl.

2. STEP TWO: To the bowl, add the marinade ingredients: guajillo powder, achiote, pineapple juice, white vinegar, garlic, oregano and brisket rub. Mix well. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

3. STEP THREE: Set up your grill with a direct heat zone. Adjust the temperature to medium-high heat.

4. STEP FOUR: Slice the marinated pork pieces onto skewers. Also add the pineapple chunks to a skewer.

PRO TIP: As an alternative, you can also cook the meat on a hot griddle or skillet with a little oil. 

5. STEP FIVE: Place the skewers on the grill over direct heat. Cook, turning occasionally until the meat reaches at least 145F degrees. You want it to be charred on all sides.

6. STEP SIX: Remove from the grill and skewers and chop.

7. STEP SEVEN: Transfer the pork al pastor and charred pineapple to serving bowls.

How to serve tacos al pastor

Once your taco meat and pineapples are cooked, serve them alongside warm tortillas and your favorite taco toppings.

I usually warm corn tortillas on the grill for a few seconds per side. You can also heat them in a pan or in the microwave or oven.

To assemble a taco al pastor, add pork to the tortilla. Top with pineapple and other ingredients. I like jalapeños, white onions or pickled red onions, avocado, cilantro and a fresh squeeze of lime juice.

Storage

Store the leftovers in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. You can enjoy the meat and pineapple cold, or microwave it to make more tacos.