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. The recipe includes step-by-step photos and lots of tips.

a plate with two tacos al pastor and a skillet with al pastor pork and chopped pineapple over a wooden table.

My Easy Tacos al Pastor Version

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 on a vertical spit for at least 1 hour.

It sounds like a lot of work, so since we LOVE these tacos so much, I found a 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 Recipe Highlights

  • Incredibly tasty.
  • They are sweet, savory, smoky, slightly spicy, all in one bite!
  • Ready in 30 minutes.
  • Easy to make. No Fuss.
  • You can also make this in the slow cooker or on an outdoor grill with a pork shoulder – in that case, it won’t be 30 minutes, though. See details below.
al pastor ground pork in a skillet with chopped cilantro with tortillas and onions on the background.

Ingredients Notes & Substitutions

Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and instructions (scroll down).

To make tacos al pastor at home you will need pantry staples, such as 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:

  • Pork: For my 30-min version, you will need ground pork. I use 85% lean/15% fat ground pork. You can also make this recipe with pork shoulder in the slow cooker or on an outdoor grill – in that case, it won’t be 30-min, though. Instructions are included below.
  • Oil: Vegetable or canola oil with work well. or
  • Veggies: Onion and garlic for extra flavor.
  • Chopped cilantro: If you don’t like cilantro, just skip it.

For Al Pastor Sauce/Marinade:

  • Pineapple juice: This sweet and acidic tropical fruit will tenderize and flavor the pork.
  • Achiote paste: For color and flavor. It can be found in any Mexican market or online.
  • Guajillo chile pepper: The guajillo chili heat is considered mild to medium. To make this recipe super easy, I used Guajillo Chile Powder. This ground chili is hard to find in regular grocery stores, so I highly recommend ordering online to save time.
  • Distilled white vinegar
  • Spices: You will need dried oregano, cumin, and ground cloves. They will add earthiness and richness to the pork. You can use Mexican oregano if available.
  • Salt and Black Pepper: For flavor.
  • Liquid smoke (optional): This will add an extra smoky note. I always add it.

To serve:

  • Tortillas: You can use corn or flour tortillas.
  • Toppings: Red onion, fresh pineapple, and limes.
easy tacos al pastor ingredients with name tags.

Step By Step Recipe Photo Tutorial

Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and instructions (scroll down).

1 – Make the Sauce

In a blender or food processor, place all the sauce ingredients and blend until well combined and smooth. Set aside.

2 – Brown the Pork

Sauté onion and garlic. Add ground pork until it is no longer pink.

3 – Add the Sauce and Mix to Combine

hand pouring al pastor sauce over ground pork.

4 – Cook

Cook until most of the liquid is reduced. Garnish with chopped cilantro.

5 – 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.

two tacos al pastor in a black plate.
wooden spoon picking some al pastor pork.

Slow Cooker Tacos al Pastor

  1. Prepare the sauce as instructed in the recipe.
  2. Cut the pork shoulder into 2-inch cubes.
  3. Place pork shoulder, sauce, and 1 cup of beer or chicken stock in the slow cooker.
  4. 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.

Grilled Tacos al Pastor

  1. Cut the pork shoulder into 1/4-inch thick slices
  2. Prepare the sauce as instructed in the recipe.
  3. Marinade the pork with the sauce in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour up to 24 hours.
  4. Preheat a grill or indoor grill pan to medium-high heat.
  5. Grill the pork for 3-4 minutes per side or until the pork is just cooked through.
  6. 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. 

Chicken Tacos al Pastor

Substitute ground pork for ground chicken, boneless chicken breast strips, or chopped boneless chicken thighs. Make sure to cook the chicken fully.

a plate with two tacos al pastor and a skillet with al pastor pork.

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.

Storing & Freezing Instructions

Store

Let the meat cool, then place leftover ground pork into an airtight container and refrigerate for up 3 days.

Freeze

Let the meat cool, then place leftover ground pork into an airtight container or a freezer Ziploc bag and freeze for up to 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, and cover and heat to your liking.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Can I make this recipe with pork shoulder?

Yes, you can! In that case, you have two cooking options: slow cooker or over the grill. See details below.

How do you 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.

What kind of tortillas should I use?

Traditional tacos al pastor are served on corn tortillas. But you can use either corn or flour tortillas in this recipe; it’s a matter of personal preference.

one taco al pastor on a black plate.

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Recipe Card 📖

30 minute Easy Tacos al Pastor on a black plate over a wooden table

30-minute Easy Tacos al Pastor

64569017466b70122dc3c6f02423c7db?s=30&d=mm&r=gOriana Romero
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.
4.93 from 13 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 14 servings

Equipment

Ingredients
 

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
  • 1 cup onion, diced
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 lb (900 g) ground pork (I use 85% Lean/15% Fat) (see notes for pork shoulder)
  • Chopped cilantro to garnish (optional)

Al Pastor Sauce:

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

Important

Don’t forget to check out the step-by-step photos above in the post—they’ll guide you through the process and make everything super clear!

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.
Oriana’s Notes
 
Pork: For my 30-min version, you will need ground pork. I use 85% lean/15% fat ground pork. You can also make this recipe with pork shoulder in the slow cooker or on an outdoor grill – in that case; it won’t be 30-min, though. Instructions are included above in the post body.
Achiote Paste: Achiote paste is made with annatto seeds, cumin, pepper, coriander, oregano, cloves, and garlic. It can be used as a sauce, marinade, or rub in many delicious traditional Mexican dishes including Cochinita Pibil and tacos al pastor. Unfortunately, this condiment is not easily found in most grocery stores, so I recommend looking for it in Latin groceries store or online (preferred choice).
Guajillo Chile Powder: Guajillo peppers have a sweet flavor and mild-medium heat. They are the second-most commonly used dried chili in Mexican cuisine after poblanos. 1 Guajillo Chile is equal to 1 teaspoon of Guajillo Chile powder. Unfortunately, this condiment is not easily found in most grocery stores, so I recommend looking for it in Latin groceries store or online (preferred choice).
Pineapple: if time allows, I highly recommend grilling the pineapple (for serving) until lightly charred before serving.
Vegetarian Version: Substitute ground pork for 2 lb sliced mushrooms.
Store: Let the meat cool, then place leftover ground pork into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Let the meat cool, then place leftover ground pork into an airtight container or a freezer Ziploc bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Make sure it is well sealed to avoid freezer burn. Thaw it in the refrigerator. To warm it up, drizzle a couple of tablespoons of chicken broth over the meat, place it in a skillet over medium-low heat, and cover and heat to your liking.
 
If you’re making this recipe, please read the whole post content to get lots of tips, tricks, variations, frequently asked questions, and step-by-step photos.
 
 Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
 
Please note that nutritional information is a rough estimate, and it can vary depending on the products used.
I appreciate your feedback, and it helps others, too!Recipe reviews on the website are extremely valuable to other readers online. So, please don’t forget to give it a 5-star rating below.

Nutrition

Calories: 279kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 13gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 7gSugar: 5g

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

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Course dinner
Cuisine Mexican
Calories 279
Keyword al pastor dinner easy mexican quick tacos

Originally posted in May 2020, the post content was edited to add more helpful information, with no change to the recipe in May 2022.  

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4.93 from 13 votes (12 ratings without comment)

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8 Comments

    1. Hello Sally! This recipe is enough to fill around 14-16 tacos. If you have any leftovers, you can freeze for later use. Thanks for your interest in my recipe. Please come back and let me know how you like it =)

      1. 5 stars
        Oriana, I am in LOVE with you……Tell your Husband he is LUCKY, I am so Jealous YOU are amazing! ……………as a Mexican, this is amazing, GOD why did I not thnk of this ! I believe in Original &Traditional ways, but the original El; Pastor takes to long,, and I am spoiled, I want it RIGHT NOW! THANK GOD you figured it out!

        I HERE and know proclaim you 100% MEXICAN , If I had an address I would send you a Certificate..I have a pretty cool one I did for my daughter -in- Law who runs the taco shop.

        I own Miyakos Tacos, on Facebook in the Philippines, I am a Misplaced U.S. Army Veteran, I went to the OTHER MEXICO.which is the Philippines; sister country to Mexico,there is a plaque in Guadalajara Mexico proclaiming so.

        I’m adding this recipe to our menu ! It is to good to pass up. Thank you for figuring t out, I will be using the Pork Shoulder cuts for mine in a Crock Pot Method, maybe speed it up with a pressure Cooker! first then go to the crock pot, then fry it up in a hot pan, OMG I am getting hungry thinking about it!

        Thank you once again ~
        Regards
        Roberto~