Spicy Al Pastor Tacos Recipe (Baked or Grilled)
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our Disclosure Policy.
Cooked in the traditional Mexican way, our spicy Al Pastor Tacos recipe is loaded onto a spit and topped with a pineapple slice, then cooked to perfection. While it’s certainly dressed to impress, the recipe itself is really quite simple and the flavors are a guaranteed crowd pleaser.
John and I love to make our Sunday dinners together. He is my grill guy and I’m usually his sous chef responsible for a side dish or salad. When he ran across a recipe for Tacos Al Pastor, we knew we had to give it a try and heated up the Big Green Egg (lump charcoal grill). so that we could perfectly control the temperature and still cook outside. Let us show you exactly how to pull off this recipe!
Why You’re Sure to Make This Again
The meat is marinated and so tender and flavorful. John chose to put it on the grill by setting it in a cast iron dutch oven. The meat was so lean that we didn’t get a lot of drippings. A skillet would have worked well too. I just loved the char that some of the meat got. The pictures may look impressive or a little intimidating like it was to me, but it’s a very simple recipe to make. Our friends and I loved it!
Ingredients for Tacos Al Pastor
Achiote Paste. Anatto seed, garlic, and various spices such as oregano and cumin are combined to form an umami rub with intense flavor. It may also be used for marinades and can be found with the Mexican or Caribbean ingredients at your supermarket.
Guajillo Chili Powder. Ground chili powder made from Guajillo peppers, this moderately spicy seasoning is used in many Mexican dishes. You can choose ancho chile pepper.
Mexican Oregano. A brighter form of the classic spice, this herb grown in Mexico has citrusy and floral tones and is a specific, distinct variety with hints of licorice. We use it enough that it warranted buying. If you don’t feel you’ll use it enough to buy it, Marjoram would be the closest substitution.
Pineapple and Pineapple Juice. The acidity helps render the meat and adds flavor. We use two slices of fresh pineapple on our skewer with the pork. Then, we grill the rest to serve with our tacos. We buy the small cans of juice and use them primarily in BBQ recipes.
White Vinegar. Also known as distilled vinegar. You may also use apple cider vinegar.
Dried Ground Cumin. We love the flavor of cumin in our Mexican recipes and many soups and stews.
Cotija Cheese. A mild, crumbly cheese used in Mexican cuisine. It can be substituted with queso blanco or feta. (While similar, it is more moist than feta and has a finer crumble.)
Cilantro. Most either love or hate cilantro. Those who hate it think it tastes like soap (this is universal!) If you are not a fan, leave it out. I’m in the cilantro camp myself, so I leave it in.
How to Make this Al Pastor Tacos Recipe
First, combine the achiote paste with vinegar thoroughly, then add the remaining spices and liquid, and marinate the meat for at least two hours.
Next, prepare the pineapple and use one slice on the base of your skewer. Continue skewering meat as shown. Top with an additional pineapple slice.
Grill or bake your meat. It will take about an hour and a half. In the last fifteen minutes, grill or bake the remaining pineapple slices. Let the meat rest for about ten minutes before slicing and serving it on tacos.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are tacos el pastor?
The literal meaning is”shepherd style” and refers to pit grilled pork sliced and served in Mexican cuisine. It borrows the cooking method of lamb shawarma and was actually developed from that method after Lebanese immigrants brought this style of cooking to the region of Central Mexico near Pueblo and Mexico City.
Is Al Pastor spicy?
Our recipe is, but it does not have to be.
What kind of pork is good for tacos?
Boneless pork shoulder is not only the traditional meat used, it is also absolutely perfect for this application. And inexpensive too!
Can Al Pastor Tacos Recipe be baked in the oven?
Yes, you can use an oven or any appliance that can maintain a heat of 350ºF for about 90 minutes. If you make this recipe in the oven you may want to finish it off under the broiler for about 30 minutes to get the crispy edges. That’s optional, however.
What is the best way to store tacos al pastor?
Keep the leftover taco meat refrigerated and store the toppings separately. Meat can also be frozen in airtight containers for up to three months.
Hostess Tips
This al pastor tacos recipe is incredibly simple to make. The marinade makes it tender and juicy, but it is also important to cook it low and slow with pork shoulder. Do not be tempted to raise the temperature.
We actually used a dowel from the hardware store that’s a little thicker and was more stable than a skewer. If you can find a thicker skewer, that would work. If you are using a grill, you may need to trim the height of the skewer so that the lid of the grill can be closed. Or, you could make two shorter skewers of al pastor meat instead of one taller version.
While two hours is the minimum, marinating the meat overnight is preferred for maximum flavor and tenderness.
What to Serve with Tacos al pastor
I’ve never heard of anyone that doesn’t like Mexican food. We all have our favorite style and John and I tend to enjoy authentic recipes versus “Tex-Mex”. Especially, if we can eat it in Mexico! We’ve been to different areas and love the culture and its people.
For this recipe, John sliced the meat thin and we served it on corn tortillas topped with the simplest of toppings. Served alongside black beans recipe or these Easy Charro Beans made in the Instant Pot, Tacos al Pastor will be complemented perfectly by anything you’d pair with tacos. Adding a slice of Margarita pie makes any meal a party!
More Ways to Enjoy Mexican Flavors at Home
We love celebrating Cinco de Mayo. Actually, it’s just an excuse to enjoy Mexican food and maybe a Margarita or two with our friends. I can’t wait to hear what you think! Another great recipe to include in your celebrations is this Beef Birria Taco. Don’t forget, it’s super easy to make your own tortillas!
I hope you enjoyed this delicious recipe as much as we do. Drop me a comment below, and don’t forget to give it a star rating. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Your comments and ratings help others decide if this recipe is for them too.
Spicy Al Pastor Tacos Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless pork shoulder cut into just under 1/2 inch (3/8) slices
- 3 tbsp achiote paste
- 2 tbsp guajillo chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried Mexican oregano
- 2 tsp cumin
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- ⅓ cup white vinegar
- ½ cup pineapple juice
- 2 slices fresh pineapple
Toppings
- Fresh cilantro chopped
- Green onion diced
- Cotija cheese crumbled
- Tomatoes seeded and diced
- Corn tortillas
Other
- 1 thick wooden skewer or wooden dowel soaked in water 20 minutes.
Instructions
- In a large glass bowl combine achiote paste with vinegar and stir until no large lumps exist. Stir in Guaillo powder, garlic powder, Mexican oregano, cumin, salt and pepper and pineapple juice. Add meat, cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours in the refrigerator.
- Skin the pineapple and slice into 1-inch rounds. Thread one pineapple round onto the wooden skewer and if baking in the oven, set it on a rimmed baking sheet covered with foil. You can also set it in a cast iron skillet or dutch oven and place it on the grill as we did. Layer slices of pork onto the skewer until 1 inch remains at the top. Place another slice of pineapple over the top.
- Preheat oven to 350°F oven for approximately 90 minutes or until the outside is slightly charred on the outside. Briefly grill remaining pineapple slices or bake for 15 minutes until they begin to brown.
- Remove the meat and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Slice meat thinly. Assemble tacos and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.
Did you enjoy this recipe? Don’t forget to pin it for later and follow me on Pinterest for more delicious recipes like this one!
This Al Pastor Taco recipe was first released on April 18, 2017 and has been updated to improve our readers’ experience. No changes were made to the actual recipe.
The pictures do look impressive but your recipe is very do-able! Perfect party food and perfect for a grilling night too – love this recipe!
Thank you Debra! It was so much easier than I thought it would be. I was afraid it would topple over but the mighty pineapple did its job.
Mmm this looks soo wonderful!!!
Thank you, Deanna!
This is the ultimate meal for entertaining! The presentation is awesome and those tacos look delicious!
Thank you, Sandra! We’re repeating this one next Saturday and I can’t wait!
I’ve never heard of tacos al pastor, but I now need them in my life! They looks absolutely fabulous!
Thank you, Lisa! I knew I loved them but never knew how they were prepared. So fun and yummy!
These tacos look amazing! I adore Mexican foods, and I also love the creative way to grilled the meat. This is a fun and wonderful recipe to try any day of the year, but especially for Cinco de Mayo!
Thank you, Debi! It was a lot of fun and we can’t wait to make this for our Cinco gathering next weekend!
My husband has asked me so many time to make tacos al pastor… now I know I need to try these! He will be thrilled!
Thank you Angela! I am actually making them again next weekend for a Cinco de Mayo get-together. Let me know what the hubs think.
I’m really hoping for these tacos to happen in my life very soon. They’d be perfect in about a week’s time. Or any day, really 🙂
Thank you Angie! We really loved them and with John being my grill guy they were so easy for me!
These look delicious, Julie! I love Cinco de Mayo and any chance to eat Mexican food! It’s def my favorite!
Thank you, Ashlyn! I’m with you on Mexican food!
Must eat all the tacos.These look SOOOOOOO good! Cannot wait to try them out!
Thank you, Karly! I’m making them again for friends next weekend!
Oh my gosh, my mouth is literally watering! That pork looks so juicy and tender, I would just love some of these tacos right now!
Thank you so much, Michelle! Just jump across that pond and we’ll whip some up with a couple margaritas of course!
Tacos is the magic word — no matter what! But… but… THESE TACOS?!?! Holy smokes!! I need to get these made stat! DELICIOUS!
Thank you, Michaela! We were really happy with them and are making them again in another week.
Love the way you grilled this Julie. Can’t wait to try your version!
Thank you, Abbe! It was so good adding the amazing flavor you get from grilling. I hope you’ll let me know how it turns out!
Omg Julie! This is so totally awesome…I am so glad you decided to try the recipe…the chicken looks so scrumptious..love the char on it. I always look forward to a good taco and this one surely is a show stopper..I love the use of the pineapple..Will have to try this for sure…Thanks for bringing this to Fiesta Friday #168.
Thank you so much, Lina! I’ll be making this one again in a couple weeks for a Cinco de Mayo party and hope my guests love it as much as we did. I hope you enjoy FF and your weekend too!
Love this recipe and your photography draws me straight in. ♥
Thank you, Doreen! I really appreciate your kind comments on my photography too. It’s always a work in progress.
These look so good! I love the way you grilled the meat, it looks so delicious!
Thank you Meghan! I was not sure about this one but it was over the top. This would be great with chicken too.
My son would just love this! Shared and following on Twitter!
Thank you so much, Patricia! Returned the follow! So happy to have connected.
Looks awesome!
Thank you, Christine!
I’d like a plate full! Please and thank you!!!
Thank you, Lynn! Definitely a fav!
This looks so good and I love the stack put in the oven. Great idea!
Thank you, Caroline! I just love this recipe and the yummy leftovers.
The Food Network Magazine had a lengthy quiz on what is Tex-Mex and what is authentic Mexican. These tacos and mole were the only two. I never heard of these tacos but when a couple like you two cook together it’s got to be good 🙂 The recipe sounds authentic and looks delicious and it’s one you can make to your own taste!
Thank you, Judi! I thought maybe John had outdone himself on this one Judi but we really had a good time putting it together and a great time snarfing it down!
Wow! You and John are getting ahead of ourselves with the upcoming Mexican celebration eh? Margaritas? Yeah, sign me up, especially if you will be serving these unusual and tantalizing tacos. Love that 3rd picture with the pineapple, I’m sure the sweetness, tartness and heat took it a notch higher. Well done you two!!
Thank you, Loretta! I don’t think I would have tackled this one but John had his eyes set on it. Turns out it was so much easier and tastier than I would have guessed so I had to share. It’s always so fun to create together too. Enjoy your day Loretta!
We absolutely love Mexican food and this looks delicious.
Thank you so much, Liz! Hope all is well and it’s wonderful to see you this evening!
Beyond fabulous, Julie. Pinning for later!
Thank you, Josette! I hope you’ll let me know what you think if you try it.
Mexican food is my FAVORITE! Honestly, how could anyone not love it? These are some gorgeous tacos. Have a great week Julie!
Thank you so much, Kelsie! We absolutely loved this recipe and I’m making it again for a Cinco gathering we’re having.
Looks so good with all that charring 🙂
Thank you, Sonal! We really enjoyed it. Sometimes the flavor gets lost in tacos in my opinion but not these.