1. Recipes

How to Make Grilled Pork Tacos al Pastor - A Step-by-Step Guide

Grilled Pork Tacos al Pastor are a delicious and flavorful Mexican dish that is perfect for any gathering or meal. These tacos are filled with marinated and grilled pork, and they are bursting with savory and slightly spicy flavors. This recipe is sure to be a hit with anyone who loves Mexican cuisine.

The key to making a fantastic Grilled Pork Tacos al Pastor is the marinade. The marinade is a combination of ingredients such as pineapple, onion, garlic, vinegar, and various spices. T...

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Ingredients

  • 3 dried guajillo chilies, seeds discarded
  • 2 dried pasilla chiles, seeds discarded
  • 1 cup boiling water, or as needed to cover
  • 2 pork tenderloins, membranes (silver skin) removed
  • ¾ cup pineapple juice
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 teaspoon ground dried chipotle pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste (Optional)
  • 1 pinch ground cumin, or to taste
  • 1 pinch dried oregano, or to taste
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, or as needed
  • ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 16 (6 inch) corn tortillas
  • 16 slices Monterey Jack cheese, divided
  • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
  • 2 cups shredded cabbage, divided
  • ½ cup roasted tomato salsa, divided
  • 1 large jalapeno pepper, thinly sliced - or to taste

Information

  • Prep Time: 30 mins
  • Cook Time: 25 mins
  • Additional Time: 8 hrs 30 mins
  • Total Time: 9 hrs 25 mins
  • Servings: 16
  • Yield: 16 servings

  • Place dried guajillo and pasilla chiles into a bowl and pour in boiling water to cover. Let chiles stand 30 minutes to soften.
  • Cut pork tenderloins in half crosswise and in half again lengthwise again to make 8 long strips.
  • Drain water from chiles and pour in pineapple juice and vinegar. Add garlic cloves, chipotle pepper, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, cumin, and oregano. Transfer chile mixture to a blender and blend to make a smooth marinade.
  • Place pork into a resealable plastic bag and pour marinade over pork; knead bag several times to coat pork. Squeeze out excess air and seal the bag. Refrigerate overnight.
  • Preheat outdoor grill (preferably charcoal) for high heat and lightly oil the grate.
  • Remove pork from bag and drain and discard marinade; transfer pork to a platter. Drizzle meat with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and season with salt. Use tongs to gently stir pork pieces to coat lightly with oil.
  • Cook pork strips on preheated grill until meat shows good grill marks and is lightly pink in the center, 7 to 8 minutes per side. An instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the center of the largest piece should read at least 145 degrees F (65 degrees C). Transfer pork to a fresh platter.
  • Drizzle a nonstick skillet with 1 teaspoon vegetable oil and place over medium heat. Lay a tortilla into the hot oil and place 1 slice of Monterey Jack cheese into center of the tortilla. Cook until tortilla is hot, lightly browned on the bottom, and cheese has melted, 1 to 2 minutes. Repeat with remaining tortillas and cheese slices. Transfer each tortilla to a plate.
  • Slice pork strips across the grain into pieces about 1/4 inch thick. Divide shredded cabbage onto each tortilla and top each with about 6 slices of pork, 1 tablespoon roasted tomato salsa, and a few slices of jalapeno pepper. Fold taco over fillings to eat.

    • Nutrition

    256 cal.

    • Total Fat: 13g
    • Saturated Fat: 7g
    • Cholesterol: 57mg
    • Sodium: 310mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 15g
    • Dietary Fiber: 2g
    • Total Sugars: 2g
    • Protein: 19g
    • Vitamin C: 6mg
    • Calcium: 247mg
    • Iron: 1mg
    • Potassium: 304mg

    Categories

    Mexican recipes
    Grilling recipes
    Taco recipes
    Pork recipes
    Marinating recipes