Mexican Street Tacos (Tacos Al Pastor)

marinated pork

🥗Healthier: lean pork

💰Cheaper: pork shoulder

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

corn tortillas

🥗Healthier: whole grain tortillas

💰Cheaper: flour tortillas

Whole grain tortillas offer more fiber, while flour tortillas are often cheaper.

Start by seeding 4 dried ancho chilies and 5 dried guajillo chilies.

Place the chilies in a heatproof bowl and cover with boiling water until soft.

In a bowl, combine 3/4 cup white vinegar, 1 cup pineapple juice, 3.5 tablespoons achiote paste, 10 cloves garlic, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, and 3 tablespoons kosher salt.

Add the softened chilies to the mixture and blend until smooth and viscous.

Slice a 4 to 5 pound boneless pork shoulder into half-inch slices and place in a bowl.

Pour the marinade over the pork, ensuring it is thoroughly coated, and cover with plastic wrap. Let it marinate overnight.

Prepare 3 to 4 metal skewers and thread the marinated pork slices onto the skewers to create a tall stack.

Set up the grill for offset heating, with 2/3 hot and 1/3 cold.

Brush the grill grates with oil and sear the pork skewers for 2-3 minutes per side until slightly charred.

Move the skewers to the cold side of the grill, close the lid, and maintain a temperature between 350 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 1.5 to 2 hours, flipping occasionally.

Once cooked, wrap the pork in foil and let it rest for 20 minutes.

While resting, prepare the pineapple relish by cutting the top and bottom off a whole pineapple, then skin it and cut into quarters.

Grill the pineapple quarters, 2 jalapenos, and 1 whole sweet onion until lightly charred.

Chop the grilled pineapple, jalapenos, and onion into bite-sized pieces and mix with 1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro, the juice and zest of 2 limes, and salt to taste.

Warm the corn tortillas on the grill until lightly browned or charred.

Assemble the tacos by adding the sliced pork and grilled pineapple relish to the tortillas.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens