Local taquerias fight for the title of the best al pastor tacos.
These days almost every taqueria in the country serves their own version.
Why is It Called al Pastor?
Simply Recipes / Susy Villasuso
Tacos al pastor means shepherd-style tacos.
Shawarma is traditionally prepared with lamb, hence the shepherd reference.
Tacos al pastor are prepared with foundational Mexican ingredients, such as chiles, achiote paste, and pork.
Simply Recipes / Susy Villasuso
The spit rotates as the pork and pineapple slowly cook until deliciously charred around the edges.
Its so perfect that my mouth waters just thinking about it.
I recommend this quick and easy versiona fast stovetop sear followed by 20 minutes in the oven.
Simply Recipes / Susy Villasuso
I promise it has all the flavors with a lot less effort.
You wont even need any special equipment.
My local grocery store carries pork shoulder steaks.
Simply Recipes / Susy Villasuso
Otherwise, slice the pork into 1/2-inch steaks before you marinade it.
The Adobada Marinade
The pork steaks are marinated in an adobada.
This marinade is what gives the meat the distinctive red color and classic al pastor flavor.
Simply Recipes / Susy Villasuso
The rehydrated chiles are blended with aromatics, spices, pineapple, and achiote paste.
Always Corn Tortillas
Tacos al pastor are always served over warm corn tortillas.
When the al pastor pork is served in flour tortillas with cheese, the tacos are called gringas.
Simply Recipes / Susy Villasuso
My roasted pineapples are cut into small triangles and seasoned with ground ancho or guajillo chiles for extra flavor.
Meanwhile, heat a large non-stick pan over medium heat.
Let them soak for 20 minutes, until they turn soft.
Simply Recipes / Susy Villasuso
Wash the outside of your pineapple with running water.
Place the pineapple on a large cutting board.
Use a sharp chefs knife to slice the crown- and root-end off and discard them.
Simply Recipes / Susy Villasuso
Stand the pineapple upright on its flat base so that it doesnt roll around.
Starting from the top, slice off the skin and discard it.
With the pineapple still upright, cut off the edible part, working around the core.
Simply Recipes / Susy Villasuso
Cut about one third of the pineapple into large chunks.
Youll add these to the marinade.
Cut the remaining pineapple into about 2 x 1/2-inch pieces.
Simply Recipes / Susy Villasuso
Place these in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to use.
When youre ready to serve the tacos, youll roast these.
Blend until very smooth.
Simply Recipes / Susy Villasuso
In a large bowl, add the pork shoulder steaks and pour the adobada marinade on top.
Use your hands to fully coat the meat with the marinade.
Wash your hands and cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
Simply Recipes / Susy Villasuso
Let it marinate in the fridge for at least 3 hours or up to overnight.
Set a large pan with 1 tablespoon olive oil over high heat.
You will sear the pork in batches.
Once the pan is hot, place 3 steaks in the pan, making sure they dont overlap.
Sprinkle a pinch of salt over each steak.
Sear for 2 minutes per side until golden brown and lightly charred.
Transfer the meat onto a large baking dish.
Sear the remaining pork.
Pour the adobada marinade used to marinate the pork on top of the seared pork.
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes, until the pork is cooked through.
Set it aside to rest while you roast the pineapple.
Transfer the reserved pineapple onto a baking sheet and spread them out into an even layer.
Drizzle on 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with ground ancho chiles and salt.
Roast for 15 minutes until the edges are lightly charred.
Slice the pork thinly with a very sharp knife and place it on a serving platter.
Scrape the marinade on top of the sliced pork.
Leftover pork can refrigerate tightly covered for up to 3 days.
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