What are Tacos al Pastor?

Tacos al Pastor are a popular Mexican street food dish with a rich history. Inspired by the Lebanese shawarma, these tacos are made with thinly sliced marinated pork that is cooked on a rotating vertical spit, known as a trompo. The marinade, typically consisting of a variety of spices and chilies, gives the meat its unique flavor and tender texture. Tacos al Pastor are commonly served with pineapple, onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime, creating the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Gather the Ingredients

Before diving into the cooking process, ensure you have all the necessary ingredients. For this recipe, you will need:

• 2 pounds of pork shoulder
• 4 dried guajillo chilies
• 2 dried ancho chilies
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1/2 cup of white vinegar
• 1/4 cup of achiote paste
• 1 tablespoon of dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon of ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
• 1/2 pineapple, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 cup of chopped onions
• 1/4 cup of chopped fresh cilantro
• Lime wedges
• 16 small corn tortillas

Step 2: Prepare the Marinade

In a large bowl, combine the dried guajillo chilies, dried ancho chilies, garlic cloves, white vinegar, achiote paste, dried oregano, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, salt, and black pepper. Remove the stems and seeds from the dried chilies before adding them to the bowl. Using a blender or food processor, blend all the ingredients until a smooth marinade forms.

Step 3: Marinate the Pork

Cut the pork shoulder into thin slices, approximately 1/4 inch thick. Place the pork slices in a large resealable bag or a shallow dish, and pour the marinade over the meat, ensuring each slice is coated evenly. Seal the bag or cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.

Step 4: Cook the Meat

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Remove the marinated pork from the refrigerator and thread the slices onto skewers. If using a vertical spit, stack the slices on the trompo, ensuring they are tightly packed together. Place the skewers or the trompo on the grill, rotating occasionally to cook the meat evenly. Grill the meat for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until it has developed a slightly charred exterior and is cooked through.

Step 5: Assemble the Tacos

While the meat is cooking, warm the corn tortillas on a hot skillet or grill for a few seconds on each side. Once the pork is ready, remove it from the skewers or trompo, and slice it into small, bite-sized pieces. Place a few slices of pork onto each tortilla and top with pineapple, onions, and cilantro. Squeeze some fresh lime juice over the filling for an extra burst of flavor.

Step 6: Enjoy!

Your delicious Tacos al Pastor are now ready to be savored. Serve them immediately and indulge in the explosion of flavors that these traditional Mexican tacos bring to your taste buds. Whether enjoyed as a quick snack or a full meal, Tacos al Pastor are sure to leave you craving for more.