Copycat Restaurant Dinner: Street Tacos al Pastor
A delicious and authentic-tasting copycat recipe for tacos al pastor that can be easily made at home using a simple marinade, fresh toppings, and warm tortillas.
Allergens
Wheat (in corn tortillas)
Ingredients
- 1. 2 pounds boneless pork shoulder 2. 2 cups pineapple chunks 3. 1 large white onion, sliced into thin rings 4. 8 small corn tortillas 5. 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped 6. 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped 7. 1 jalapeño pepper, thinly sliced 8. 1 lime, cut into wedges 9. 2 tablespoons vegetable oil Marinade: 1. 1 cup orange juice 2. 1/2 cup pineapple juice 3. 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar 4. 1/4 cup soy sauce 5. 1/4 cup brown sugar 6. 1 tablespoon ground cumin 7. 1 tablespoon smoked paprika 8. 1 tablespoon kosher salt 9. 2 teaspoons dried oregano 10. 2 teaspoons ground coriander 11. 1 teaspoon black pepper 12. 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper 13. 4 garlic cloves, minced 14. 1 teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all the marinade ingredients.
- Trim any excess fat from the pork shoulder and cut it into thin strips. Add the pork to the marinade and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
- Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium high heat. Thread the marinated pork onto skewers, leaving some pineapple chunks between the meat. Reserve the remaining marinade.
- In a separate bowl, toss the onion slices in 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the onions until tender and slightly charred, about 3 4 minutes per side. Remove from grill and set aside.
- Cook the pork skewers on the preheated grill, brushing with reserved marinade frequently, for 4 6 minutes per side or until cooked through. Remove from heat and let rest for a few minutes before slicing off the skewers.
- Grill the tortillas briefly on both sides to warm them up. Top each tortilla with sliced pork, grilled pineapple chunks, cilantro, red onion, jalapeño, and a squeeze of lime. Fold the tacos in half and serve immediately.
Chef’s Insight
To give the pork an extra smoky flavor, soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before using them.
Notes
For an added touch of authenticity, serve tacos with a side of spicy salsa or pickled vegetables.