Best of the Best Tacos al Pastor
A vibrant Mexican street-style dish with marinated pork, pineapple, and fresh toppings, perfect for a flavorful bite. This mexican-inspired mexican ready in about 105 minutes pairs pork shoulder, pineapple chunks, tequila 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 pork shoulder
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 2 tbsp tequila
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 8 medium tortillas
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
- 1/2 cup radishes
- 1/4 cup pickled onions
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 lbs pork shoulder with 1 cup pineapple chunks, 2 tbsp tequila, 1/4 cup orange juice, 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tbsp lime juice. Marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Step 2: Preheat a grill or skillet to medium-high heat. Cook the marinated pork for 30-40 minutes, turning occasionally, until the meat is tender and caramelized. Shred with two forks.
- Step 3: Warm 8 medium tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave. Top each with 2 oz shredded pork, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 1/2 cup sliced radishes, 1/4 cup pickled onions, and a drizzle of lime juice. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Best of the Best Tacos al Pastor take to make?
Total time is about 105 minutes (60 min prep + 45 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 of the 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 of the 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 of the Best 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 Best of the Best 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
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★★
Best recipe I've made this month.
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to mexican dish. We make it weekly.
