Description
Al Pastor is a classic Mexican dish featuring pork marinated in a blend of dried chiles, achiote, pineapple, and spices. This marinade infuses the meat with smoky, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors, making it perfect for tacos, burritos, or quesadillas. Whether grilled, roasted, or cooked on a traditional trompo, this homemade marinade ensures bold, authentic flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Marinade:
- 4 dried guajillo chiles (stems & seeds removed)
- 2 dried ancho chiles (stems & seeds removed)
- 2 tablespoons achiote paste
- ¾ cup fresh pineapple chunks
- ¼ cup chopped onion
- 2 large garlic cloves
- ½ cup fresh orange juice
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black peppercorns
- 2 whole cloves
- 1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce
For the Meat:
- 2 lbs pork shoulder or pork loin (thinly sliced)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chiles: Remove stems and seeds from guajillo and ancho chiles. Rinse under cold water to remove any dust.
- Soften the Chiles: Simmer in hot water for 5 minutes, then let them soak for 10 more minutes until soft.
- Blend the Marinade: In a blender, combine softened chiles, achiote paste, pineapple, onion, garlic, orange juice, vinegar, oregano, cumin, salt, pepper, cloves, and chipotle. Blend until smooth.
- Strain (Optional): For a smooth marinade, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve.
- Marinate the Meat: Coat the pork with the marinade and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours (overnight for best results).
- Cook: Grill, roast, or pan-sear the marinated pork until caramelized and cooked through.
- Serve: Slice thinly and serve in warm corn tortillas with diced onions, cilantro, grilled pineapple, and lime wedges.
Notes
- For a more traditional experience, stack the marinated pork slices on a skewer and cook on a vertical rotisserie (trompo).
- Don’t skip the pineapple—it enhances the meat’s flavor and helps tenderize it.
- For a spicier kick, add an extra chipotle chile or red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Per Serving
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: Al pastor marinade, Mexican marinade, taco al pastor, grilled pork tacos, homemade al pastor