How Tacos Al Pastor Is Made • Tasty

pork

🥗Healthier: chicken

💰Cheaper: pork shoulder

Chicken is lower in fat, while pork shoulder is more budget-friendly.

corn tortillas

🥗Healthier: whole wheat tortillas

💰Cheaper: flour tortillas

Whole wheat tortillas are more nutritious, while flour tortillas can be cheaper.

Toast cloves, bay leaf, cinnamon sticks, and peppercorn under high heat until aromatic.

Torch California dried chile and guajillo until blistered and crispy.

Mix toasted spices with vinegar, fresh garlic, onion, canned pineapple, and molasses to create a thick adobo paste.

Slice pork shoulder into quarter-inch thick pieces for marinating.

Layer pineapple at the bottom of the trompo for building the meat stack.

Trim and pile the pork pieces while building the trompo to ensure even cooking.

Top the trompo with scored pork belly to keep it moist during cooking.

Place the trompo on a vertical grill and cook until caramelized, starting to shave off meat after 20 minutes.

Grill pineapple slices with sugar until caramelized and smoky.

Assemble tacos with corn tortillas, shaved al pastor, grilled pineapple, onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary