Home-style Tacos al Pastor (Chile and Pineapple Pork Tacos)
Tacos al Pastor is a popular Mexican dish that has been influenced by Middle Eastern cuisine, specifically Lebanese immigrants who brought the tradition of spit-grilled meat to Mexico. This flavorful and aromatic dish is made with marinated pork that is thinly sliced and then layered on a vertical rotisserie, known as a trompo, and slowly roasted. The pork is typically seasoned with a combination of dried chilies, spices, and pineapple, giving it a unique and mouthwatering flavor.
Prep Time:
25 mins
Cook Time:
35 mins
Additional Time:
2 hrs
Total Time:
3 hrs
Servings:
6
Yield:
6 servings
Ingredients
Directions
Step 1
Bring 2 cups water to boil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add guajillo and pasilla chiles. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until chiles soften, about 10 minutes; transfer to plate. Remove and discard stem and seeds. Meanwhile, coarsely chop one onion half; reserve remaining half. Strain pineapples; reserve juice and fruit separately.
Step 2
Transfer guajillo, pasilla and chipotle chiles, chopped onion half, reserved pineapple juice, vinegar, garlic and cumin to bowl of food processor. Puree until smooth, about 2 minutes. Transfer chile mixture to saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring chile mixture to a boil; cook until paste loses raw onion taste, about 2 minutes. Season with Adobo; cool. In large container with lid, or in large ziptop bag, combine pork cubes, cooled chile marinade and reserved pineapple chunks; transfer to refrigerator. Marinate at least 2 hours, or up to 24 hours.
Step 3
Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Strain pork and pineapples, discarding marinade. Add pork and pineapples to skillet. Cook in batches until dark golden brown on all sides and cooked through, about 15 minutes; transfer to large serving plate.
Step 4
Meanwhile, finely slice remaining onion half. Transfer sliced onion to bowl with cilantro. Serve pork and pineapple mixture in warm tortillas. Garnish pork tacos with cilantro, onions and limes.
Complement
Home-style Tacos al Pastor, also known as Chile and Pineapple Pork Tacos, are a delicious and satisfying variation of this traditional Mexican dish. The pork is marinated in a tangy and slightly spicy sauce made from a blend of dried chilies, vinegar, and pineapple juice, which adds a hint of sweetness to the meat. Once cooked, the pork is thinly sliced and served on warm corn tortillas, topped with fresh cilantro, onions, and a squeeze of lime. The combination of tender, juicy pork and the sweet and savory flavors of the marinade make these tacos a crowd-pleasing favorite that can be enjoyed at home or at your favorite Mexican restaurant.
