Best-Best Tacos al Pastor
A smoky, marinated pork taco with pineapple glaze, offering the best blend of sweet and savory flavors. This mexican-inspired quick meals ready in about 150 minutes pairs pork shoulder, pineapple juice, orange juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 12, 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
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice
- 2 tbsp orange juice
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 12 tortillas
- 1 cup lettuce
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup cilantro
- 6 lime wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine 2 lbs pork shoulder with 1/4 cup pineapple juice, 2 tbsp orange juice, 1 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, and 2 tbsp olive oil. Marinate for 4-6 hours in the refrigerator.
- Step 2: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place pork on a baking sheet and roast for 2-3 hours, or until tender and cooked through, flipping halfway.
- Step 3: While pork roasts, warm 12 tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side.
- Step 4: To assemble, place 1/4 cup shredded pork in each tortilla, top with 1/4 cup diced tomatoes, 1/4 cup shredded lettuce, and a sprinkle of cilantro. Serve with lime wedges for a fresh, zesty finish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Best-Best Tacos al Pastor take to make?
Total time is about 150 minutes (30 min prep + 120 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 Best-Best 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 Best-Best 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 Best-Best Tacos al Pastor for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). 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 Best-Best Tacos al Pastor?
Mexican quick meals 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
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
