Tacos al Pastor

A classic Mexican dish featuring marinated pork and pineapple grilled to perfection. Tender slices of pork are marinated in a flavorful blend of chilies, spices, and pineapple, then grilled and served with fresh garnishes in warm corn tortillas.

6 servings
4 hr 30 min

Ingredients

  • 1 whole large white onion, halved
  • 1 whole pineapple, peeled, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick rounds
  • ½ cup fresh orange juice
  • ¼ cup distilled white vinegar
  • ¼ cup guajillo chile powder
  • 3 cloves garlic cloves, halved
  • 2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano (preferably Mexican)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 whole large or 2 small chipotle chiles and 1 to 2 teaspoons adobo from canned chipotle chiles in adobo
  • 1 whole 2 1/2-to 3-pound boneless pork loin, cut into 1/2-inch slices
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 12 pieces Corn tortillas
  • 1 cup Smoky Two-Chile Salsa
  • 2 whole Lime wedges

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Coarsely chop 1 onion half. Coarsely chop 2 pineapple rounds, discarding core; cover and chill remaining pineapple. Place chopped onion and chopped pineapple in blender. Add orange juice and next 7 ingredients; puree marinade until smooth. Place pork in large resealable plastic bag. Add marinade and seal bag, releasing excess air. Turn to coat. Chill at least 4 hours and up to 1 day.

    240 min

  2. 2.

    Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Grill remaining pineapple until warm and slightly charred, 4 to 6 minutes per side. Grill pork with some marinade still clinging until slightly charred and cooked through, 2 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer pineapple and pork to work surface; chop pineapple into 1/2-inch cubes, discarding cores. Chop pork. Transfer to platter; toss to combine.

    20 min

  3. 3.

    Meanwhile, finely chop remaining onion half and place in medium bowl. Add cilantro; toss to combine. Grill tortillas until warm and slightly charred, about 10 seconds per side.

    5 min

  4. 4.

    Serve pork-pineapple mixture with onion-cilantro relish, Smoky Two-Chile Salsa, and lime wedges.

    5 min