# Tacos al Pastor Recipe
Canonical URL: https://thefoodthatshapedus.com/recipes/tacos-al-pastor
Publication state: published
Updated: 2026-08-02
Primary keyword: tacos al pastor recipe
A practical, source-aware recipe for tacos al pastor, with the history kept close to the method.
## Timing and Yield
- Prep: 15 minutes
- Cook: 30 minutes
- Total: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 Servings
## Ingredients
- 10 guajillo chiles, seeds removed
- 2 chiles de árbol
- 3 pounds boneless pork shoulder (Boston butt), sliced ¾" thick
- 8 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 cup distilled white vinegar
- ¼ cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons prepared or fresh achiote paste
- 3 ounces kosher salt (7 tablespoons Diamond Crystal or 4 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons Morton), plus more
- 1 pineapple, peeled, cored, cut into ½" rings, divided
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped, divided
- 2 red habanero chiles, seeds removed, finely chopped
- ¼ cup fresh mint, chopped
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 16 corn tortillas
- Lime wedges (for serving)
## Method
1. Step 1: Bring guajillo chiles, chiles de árbol, and 2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Cover, remove from heat, and let sit 30 minutes to let chiles soften.
   Step image: https://thefoodthatshapedus.com/images/recipes/steps/tacos-al-pastor-step-1.webp
   Image description: Step 1: Step 1 for Tacos al Pastor.
2. Step 2: Place pork in a large bowl. Purée chiles and soaking liquid, garlic, vinegar, sugar, achiote paste, 3 oz. salt, half of the pineapple, and half of the onion in a blender until smooth, about 2 minutes. Pour over pork, stirring to coat thoroughly. Cover and chill 3–12 hours.
   Step image: https://thefoodthatshapedus.com/images/recipes/steps/tacos-al-pastor-step-2.webp
   Image description: Step 2: Step 2 for Tacos al Pastor.
3. Step 3: If using a gas grill or grill pan, prepare for medium-high heat; if using a charcoal grill, prepare for two zones of heat, medium-high and low. Grill remaining pineapple over medium-high heat, turning once, until charred, 6–8 minutes. Finely chop pineapple and combine with habanero chiles, mint, lime juice, and remaining onion in a small bowl. Season with salt, cover, and chill until ready to use.
   Step image: https://thefoodthatshapedus.com/images/recipes/steps/tacos-al-pastor-step-3.webp
   Image description: Step 3: Step 3 for Tacos al Pastor.
4. Step 4: If using gas grill or grill pan, reduce heat to low; if using charcoal grill, use low-zone heat. Remove pork from marinade and grill until marinade on pork has dried and begins to caramelize and char, about 12 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and let pork rest 10 minutes.
   Step image: https://thefoodthatshapedus.com/images/recipes/steps/tacos-al-pastor-step-4.webp
   Image description: Step 4: Step 4 for Tacos al Pastor.
5. Step 5: Grill tortillas until soft and beginning to char, about 30 seconds per side. Slice pork against the grain into ¼" strips. Top each tortilla with a few pieces of pork and some pineapple salsa. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing over. Do Ahead: Pineapple salsa can be made 4 hours ahead; keep chilled.
   Step image: https://thefoodthatshapedus.com/images/recipes/steps/tacos-al-pastor-step-5.webp
   Image description: Step 5: Step 5 for Tacos al Pastor.
## Storage
Cool completely, cover, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat only when the texture benefits from it.
## History Context
This dinner builds on the history of the ancient mesoamerican food that conquered the world, linking the dish to tacos’s longer story in food culture.
## Primary Image
- URL: https://thefoodthatshapedus.com/images/recipes/variants/tacos-al-pastor/tacos-al-pastor-og.webp
- Description: Tacos al Pastor. Photo: City Foodsters / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0).
- Status: editorial-placeholder
## Sources
1. Original Tacos al Pastor recipe. Bon Appétit. https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/tacos-al-pastor