This 30-minute Easy Tacos al Pastor version gives you all the flavor without all the fuss! They are sweet, savory, smoky, slightly spicy, and incredibly flavorful.
This 30-minute Easy Tacos al Pastor recipe is incredibly tasty!
WHAT IS TACOS AL PASTOR?
Tacos al pastor are tacos made with pork, usually crisp-thin shavings of vertical spit-roasted pork, marinated with guajillo chiles, achiote, and other spices, then served on tortillas with pineapple and onions.
The process of making tacos al pastor in the traditional way is quite laborious since you have to marinate the pork for several hours and then roast it in vertical spit for at least 1 hour.
Sound like uh – a lot of work – so, since we LOVE so much these tacos, I found the way to make them quick and easy at home!
This 30-minute easy version gives you all the flavor without all the fuss!
30-MINUTE EASY TACOS AL PASTOR INGREDIENTS
To make tacos al pastor at home you will need pantry staples, such ground pork, oil, vinegar, onion, garlic, etc. plus achiote paste and ground guajillo chiles. These two ingredients are not easily found in most grocery stores, so I recommend ordering them online.
You’ll need:
For the pork:
- Vegetable or canola oil
- Onion
- Garlic
- Ground pork (I use 85% lean/15% fat)
- Chopped cilantro
For Al Pastor Sauce:
- Pineapple juice
- Achiote paste
- Guajillo chile powder (ground guajillo chile pepper)
- Distilled white vinegar
- Dried oregano
- Cumin
- Ground cloves
- Salt
- Pepper
- Liquid smoke (optional)
For the Tacos:
- Corn or flour tortillas
- Red onion
- Fresh pineapple
- Limes
Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and instructions (scroll down).
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HOW TO MAKE 30-MINUTE EASY TACOS AL PASTOR
- Make the sauce: In a blender or food processor, place all the sauce ingredients and blend until well combined and smooth. Set aside.
- Brown the pork: Sauté onion and garlic. Add ground pork until no longer pink.
- Add the sauce and mix to combine.
- Cook until most of the liquid is reduced. Garnish with chopped cilantro.
- Assemble the tacos! Serve meat up hot on a warmed tortilla topped with, diced grilled pineapple, sliced red onion, freshly chopped cilantro, and a lime wedge.
Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and instructions (scroll down).
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HOW TO STORE
Let the meat cool then place leftover ground pork into an airtight container and refrigerate for up 3 days.
HOW TO FREEZE
Let the meat cool then place leftover ground pork into an airtight container or a freezer Ziploc bag and freeze for up 3 months. Make sure it is well sealed to avoid freezer burn.
You can defrost in the microwave or in the refrigerator overnight. To warm it up, drizzle a couple of tablespoons of chicken broth over the meat, place it in a skillet over medium-low heat, cover and heat to your liking.
How to serve Tacos al Pastor
Serve meat up hot on a warmed tortilla topped with, diced pineapple, sliced red onion, freshly chopped cilantro, and a lime wedge.
PRO TIP: if time allows, I highly recommend grilling the pineapple until lightly charred before serving.
CAN I MAKE THIS RECIPE WITH PORK SHOULDER?
Yes, you can! In that case, you have two cooking options:
Slow Cooker:
- Prepare the sauce as instructed in the recipe.
- Cut the pork shoulder into 2-inch cubes.
- Place pork shoulder, sauce, and 1 cup of beer or chicken stock in the slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 8-10 hours, or on high for 4-5 hours, until the pork is completely tender and shreds easily with a fork. Use two forks to shred the pork, then toss it in the remaining juices.
PRO TIP: You can serve it just like it comes out of the slow cooker, shredded of course, with the leftover juices, or you can crisp up the meat under the broiler for 5 minutes. Either way, it’s ridiculously delicious.
Grill:
- Cut the pork shoulder into 1/4-inch thick slices
- Prepare the sauce as instructed in the recipe.
- Marinade the pork with the sauce in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour up to 24 hours.
- Preheat a grill or indoor grill pan to medium-high heat.
- Grill the pork for 3-4 minutes per side, or until pork is just cooked through.
- Coarsely chop the pork and assemble tacos.
VEGETARIAN TACOS AL PASTOR
You don’t eat meat? No problem! Substitute ground pork for 2 lb sliced mushrooms.
LOOKING FOR MORE TACOS RECIPES?
- Easy Ground Beef for Tacos Recipe
- Homemade Spicy Taco Seasoning
- Easy Instant Pot Mexican Shredded Chicken
- Slow Cooker Chipotle Carnitas
- Slow Cooker Spicy Pork Carnitas
- Instant Pot Crispy Pork Carnitas
- Instant Pot Mexican Pulled Pork
30-minute Easy Tacos al Pastor
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 lb ground pork (I use 85% Lean/15% Fat) (see notes for pork shoulder)
- Chopped cilantro to garnish (optional)
Al Pastor Sauce:
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1 oz achiote paste
- 2 teaspoons guajillo chile powder (ground guajillo chile pepper)
- ¼ cup distilled white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon liquid smoke (optional)
For the Tacos:
- 12 – 14 corn or flour tortillas, warmed
- 1 medium red onion, finely sliced
- 1 cup pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into small dices (see notes)
- 3 limes, cut into wedges each for serving
Instructions
Make al Pastor Sauce:
- In a blender or food processor, place all the sauce ingredients and blend until well combined and smooth. Set aside.
Make al Pastor Pork:
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until translucent and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Add garlic and keep sautéing for 1 more minute.
- Add ground pork, use a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula to break up the ground beef into equal-size pieces as it cooks, and cook until no longer pink.
- Stir in Al Pastor Sauce; mix until well combined. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the skillet and cook for 8 – 10 minutes, or until most of the liquid is evaporated. Taste and add more salt if necessary.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro, if desired
- Serve meat up hot on a warmed tortilla topped with, diced grilled pineapple, sliced red onion, freshly chopped cilantro, and a lime wedge.
Notes
- Prepare the sauce as instructed in the recipe.
- Cut the pork shoulder into 2-inch cubes.
- Place pork shoulder, sauce, and 1 cup of beer or chicken stock in the slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 8-10 hours, or on high for 4-5 hours, until the pork is completely tender and shreds easily with a fork. Use two forks to shred the pork, then toss it in the remaining juices.
- Cut the pork shoulder into 1/4-inch thick slices.
- Prepare the sauce as instructed in the recipe.
- Marinade the pork with the sauce in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour up to 24 hours.
- Preheat a grill or indoor grill pan to medium-high heat.
- Grill the pork for 3-4 minutes per side, or until pork is just cooked through.
- Coarsely chop the pork and assemble tacos.
- Easy Ground Beef for Tacos Recipe
- Homemade Spicy Taco Seasoning
- Easy Instant Pot Mexican Shredded Chicken
- Slow Cooker Chipotle Carnitas
- Slow Cooker Spicy Pork Carnitas
- Instant Pot Crispy Pork Carnitas
- Instant Pot Mexican Pulled Pork
Nutrition
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- Cast Iron Skillet
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- Magnetic Measuring Spoons Set
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- Measuring Cup Set
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- Ground Meat Chopper
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