Mexican Authentic Tacos al Pastor
Marinated pork grilled with pineapple, served in warm tortillas with onions and cilantro. This 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.
