Tacos Al Pastor Recipe for your Griddle

Tacos Al Pastor are a delicious and iconic Mexican street food, typically made with marinated and spit-roasted pork. While traditional preparation involves a vertical rotisserie, you can make a mouthwatering version on your griddle. Here's a recipe for Tacos Al Pastor on your griddle:

Ingredients:

For the Al Pastor Marinade:

  • 2 pounds of pork shoulder, thinly sliced
  • 3 dried guajillo chilies, seeded and soaked in hot water
  • 2 dried ancho chilies, seeded and soaked in hot water
  • 1 small onion, roughly chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1/4 cup pineapple juice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Tacos:

  • Small corn tortillas
  • Sliced fresh pineapple
  • Diced white onion
  • Chopped fresh cilantro
  • Lime wedges
  • Salsa (salsa verde or salsa roja)

Instructions:

Preparing the Al Pastor Marinade:

  1. Prepare the Dried Chilies:

    • Soak the dried guajillo and ancho chilies in hot water for about 15-20 minutes until they're softened. Then, remove the seeds.

  2. Blend the Marinade:

    • In a blender, combine the soaked chilies, chopped onion, minced garlic, white vinegar, pineapple juice, ground cumin, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Blend until you have a smooth, thick marinade.

  3. Marinate the Pork:

    • Place the thinly sliced pork shoulder in a bowl and pour the marinade over it. Ensure that all the pork is well coated with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for the best flavor.

Griddling the Al Pastor:

  1. Preheat the Griddle:

    • Preheat your griddle to medium-high heat, around 350-375°F (175-190°C).

  2. Cook the Al Pastor:

    • Place the marinated pork slices on the hot griddle. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the pork is nicely seared and cooked through. Stir and flip the meat to ensure even cooking.

  3. Add Pineapple:

    • During the last minute of griddling, add slices of fresh pineapple to the griddle to heat and caramelize slightly.

Assembling Tacos Al Pastor:

  1. Warm Tortillas:

    • While the pork and pineapple are grilling, warm the corn tortillas on the griddle for a few seconds on each side.

  2. Build Your Tacos:

    • Place some of the griddled pork and pineapple on each warm tortilla.
    • Top the tacos with diced white onion and chopped cilantro.

  3. Salsa and Lime:

    • Serve the Tacos Al Pastor with lime wedges and your choice of salsa (salsa verde or salsa roja).

  4. Serve and Enjoy:

    • Serve your Tacos Al Pastor hot and fresh. These tacos are often served with a side of grilled spring onions or jalapeños for extra flavor.

Tacos Al Pastor are a wonderful combination of savory, spicy, and sweet flavors. The marinade infuses the pork with a delicious taste, and the griddle adds a smoky sear, making this a delectable street food experience at home.

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