Tacos al pastor from Mexico are traditionally made with pork shoulder, as outlined in the recipe above. If you can’t find pork shoulder, pork neck will also work well as an alternative cut. You need to use a fatty cut so it stays juicy and tender during the roasting process.
The pork needs at least four hours to marinate and is even tastier if left to rest overnight in the fridge. This helps to tenderize the pork and ensures the meat in the tacos is packed full of flavor, soft and tender.
How to Serve Mexican Tacos
To serve, use corn tortillas, which you can warm through in the oven before adding the filling to the plate. Layer the tortillas starting with the meat and then building with the remaining elements and garnishes. You can enjoy these tacos on their own or serve with other Mexican dishes such as Mexican rice or refried beans.
What Makes Authentic Mexican Tacos?
There are a few key elements to follow to make Mexican al pastor tacos authentically. Traditionally, the marinated pork is stacked on a vertical rotisserie, which slowly roasts and caramelizes the meat. To echo this process, we’ve suggested roasting on skewers in the oven in the recipe above.
A red adobo marinade using Mexican chiles brings the classic taste to these tacos, along with roasted pineapple and thin slices of pork. Alongside Mexican tacos al pastor there are many taco recipes to explore, including tacos de birria, using beef instead of pork or fish tacos for a seafood alternative.
Mexican Taco Spice Mix
The flavor in pastor Mexican tacos is achieved through the marinade, using a mix of guajillo chiles, achiote paste, cumin, Mexican oregano, and a variety of juices. Some chefs will also add garlic and vinegar to the mix. Ensure the paste is smooth before removing from the food processor, so it coats the meat evenly during the marinating step.
