Pork Volcánes al Pastor

A delicious Mexican dish featuring thinly sliced marinated pork shoulder served on crispy corn tortillas, topped with melted Oaxaca cheese. The pork is marinated in a flavorful blend of guajillo and morita chiles, citrus juices, and achiote paste for an authentic al pastor taste.

4 servings
5 hr 35 min

Ingredients

  • 1 piece pork shoulder
  • 7 whole guajillo chiles
  • 3 whole morita chiles
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • cup fresh orange juice
  • ¼ cup fresh lime juice
  • 3 Tbsp achiote paste
  • 1 Tbsp kosher salt
  • 8 pieces corn tortillas
  • 4 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 12 oz quesillo
  • ½ cup white onion
  • ¼ cup cilantro
  • 2 whole limes

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Place pork shoulder on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet and freeze, uncovered, until almost completely frozen, about 2 hours. Using a very sharp knife, thinly slice pork (shoot for about ⅛" thick). Transfer to a large bowl.

    120 min

  2. 2.

    Meanwhile, bring guajillo and morita chiles and 1 cup water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Cover, remove from heat, and let sit 30 minutes to allow chiles to soften.

    30 min

  3. 3.

    Transfer chiles and soaking liquid to a blender. Add garlic, orange juice, lime juice, achiote paste, and salt; purée until smooth. Pour over pork and toss to coat. Cover and let sit at room temperature 2 hours, or chill up to 6 hours.

    120 min

  4. 4.

    Place a rack in middle of oven; preheat to 350°F. Evenly space out tortillas on a baking sheet and bake until lightly toasted and very crisp (edges will curl and pucker), 35-45 minutes.

    40 min

  5. 5.

    Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a large nonstick skillet over high until smoking. Spread about one-fourth of pork across skillet in a single layer; cook, undisturbed, until browned underneath, about 2 minutes. Turn over and cook, undisturbed, until browned underneath and cooked through, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a platter and wipe out skillet. Working in 3 batches, repeat process with remaining pork and 3 Tbsp. oil.

    16 min

  6. 6.

    Increase oven temperature to 500°F. Divide pork among tostadas and top with quesillo; bake until cheese is melted, 8-10 minutes. Top with onion and cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

    9 min