Mexican Authentic Tacos al Pastor
Marinated pork grilled with pineapple, served in warm tortillas with onions and cilantro. This mexican-inspired mexican ready in about 55 minutes pairs (trimmed and cubed) pork shoulder, (cubed, juice reserved) pineapple, (sliced) onions for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, 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 (trimmed and cubed) pork shoulder
- 1 (cubed, juice reserved) pineapple
- 2 (sliced) onions
- 1/2 cup (chopped) cilantro
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 4 cloves (minced) garlic
- 1 (juiced) lime
- 8 (corn or flour) tortillas
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine pork, 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp cumin, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 cup pineapple juice, and 1 tbsp lime juice. Marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Step 2: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Brush with olive oil. Add pork and cook for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and nearly cooked through.
- Step 3: Add cubed pineapple and onions to the grill. Cook for 3-4 minutes until charred and softened. Mix with pork.
- Step 4: Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave. Top each with pork mixture, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mexican Authentic Tacos al Pastor take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (25 min prep + 30 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 Mexican Authentic 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 (sliced) onions from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Mexican Authentic 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 Mexican Authentic Tacos al Pastor for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 Mexican Authentic 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
- ★★★★★
Made exactly as written. Wouldn't change a thing.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 30-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
