Authentic Mexican Slow-Cooked Tacos al Pastor
Tender marinated pork cooked on a vertical grill, served with pineapple and spicy salsa on warm corn tortillas. This mexican ready in about 45 minutes pairs Pork shoulder, Pineapple, Onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Pork shoulder
- 1 cup diced Pineapple
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced Onion
- 4 cloves minced Garlic
- 1 tbsp Cumin
- 1 tbsp Chili powder
- 1/4 cup Orange juice
- 8 Corn tortillas
- 1 cut into wedges Lime
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 lbs pork shoulder, 1/2 cup diced pineapple, 1/2 cup thinly sliced onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp cumin, 1 tbsp chili powder, and 1/4 cup orange juice. Marinate in refrigerator for 4-6 hours.
- Step 2: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Add marinated pork and cook 6-8 minutes per side until well-browned and tender. Add remaining 1/2 cup diced pineapple and cook 2-3 minutes until caramelized.
- Step 3: Warm 8 corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat until pliable. Serve pork with pineapple on tortillas, topped with lime wedges. Accompany with spicy salsa on the side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Mexican Slow-Cooked Tacos al Pastor take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Authentic Mexican Slow-Cooked Tacos al Pastor?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Mexican Slow-Cooked Tacos al Pastor?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Authentic Mexican Slow-Cooked Tacos al Pastor for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Authentic Mexican Slow-Cooked Tacos al Pastor?
Mexican mexican like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
- ★★☆☆☆
Followed exactly and it was underwhelming. Maybe my expectations were too high.
- ★☆☆☆☆
Followed exactly and it was underwhelming. Maybe my expectations were too high.
