Best 2 Carne Asada Tacos Or Al Pastor Tacos Recipes

**Indulge in the Delights of Carne Asada and Al Pastor Tacos: A Culinary Journey to Mexican Flavors**

Embark on a tantalizing culinary adventure with the delectable flavors of carne asada and al pastor tacos. These iconic Mexican dishes, originating from the vibrant streets of Mexico City, have captivated taste buds worldwide with their unique blend of spices, succulent meats, and fresh ingredients. In this comprehensive guide, we present two mouthwatering recipes that will transport you to the heart of Mexico. Discover the secrets behind the perfect carne asada taco, featuring tender and flavorful grilled steak, complemented by a vibrant array of toppings. Unleash your creativity with the al pastor taco recipe, where succulent pork shoulder is marinated in achiote paste and slow-roasted to perfection on a vertical spit. Both recipes are accompanied by detailed instructions, ensuring that you can replicate these culinary treasures in the comfort of your own kitchen. Get ready to savor the authentic taste of Mexico with every bite of these delectable tacos.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CARNE ASADA TACOS

Carne Asada Tacos image

Easy and flavorful. You will love these tacos! You can use top sirloin, New York, filet mignon or similar cuts of beef.

Provided by DIALIEN

Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Mexican

Time 1h15m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

1 ½ pounds boneless beef top sirloin, cut into thin bite-size slices
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
crushed red pepper to taste
1 lime
1 (28 ounce) can tomatillos
2 fresh jalapeno peppers, seeded
4 tablespoons canola oil, divided
1 (10.5 ounce) can beef broth
12 (6 inch) corn tortillas
½ large onion, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 avocado - peeled, pitted and sliced
1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
1 lemon

Steps:

Place sliced meat into a shallow bowl, and season with salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper. Squeeze the lime juice over the meat, and turn until evenly coated. Cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
In a blender or food processor, combine tomatillo and jalapeno. Puree for 15 to 20 seconds, or until thick. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Carefully pour in tomatillo mixture. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes. Stir in beef broth. Reduce heat, and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, or until mixture coats a spoon. Transfer mixture to a serving dish.
Heat tablespoon oil in a large skillet over high heat. Stir in 1/3 of the beef, and saute for 1 minute. Transfer to serving dish. Repeat with remaining beef. Meanwhile, heat tortillas in the oven or microwave, according to package instructions.
To serve, place two tortillas on top of each other. Add desired amount of meat, spoon over some tomatillo mixture. Top with onions, tomatoes, avocado and cilantro. Garnish with a wedge of lemon, to be squeezed over taco before eating.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 472.2 calories, Carbohydrate 40.1 g, Cholesterol 69.2 mg, Fat 22.8 g, Fiber 12.9 g, Protein 30.4 g, SaturatedFat 3.7 g, Sodium 873 mg, Sugar 4.8 g

CARNE ASADA TACOS OR AL PASTOR TACOS

Carne Asada Tacos or Al Pastor Tacos image

I have had great success preparing tacos this way. I bought this recipe from a taqueria owner (taco restaurant) in Mexico City. I am translating the directions. It can be used for beef, pork, or just about any other type of meat. The spice mix on this recipe gives meat a really excellent flavor.

Provided by Vic Voss

Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Mexican

Time 6h40m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 26

Ingredients

½ onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic
2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon anise seed
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon dried sage
¼ teaspoon ground thyme
2 bay leaves
5 whole cloves
½ cup soy sauce
1 cup cider vinegar
1 orange, juiced
1 lime, juiced
2 pounds flank steak
1 onion, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
¼ (7 ounce) can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, or to taste
3 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon water, or as needed
24 (5 inch) corn tortillas
½ onion, chopped
½ bunch cilantro, chopped
1 bunch radishes, halved

Steps:

Place 1/2 chopped onion, 2 cloves garlic, parsley, oregano, paprika, anise seed, black pepper, cumin, sage, thyme, bay leaves, cloves, soy sauce, vinegar, orange juice, and lime juice in a blender; pulse until a very well-blended paste is achieved, scraping down sides as needed, 3 to 5 minutes. Spread paste on both sides of the flank steak. Wrap steak in plastic and refrigerate at least 6 hours to overnight.
Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate. Remove excess marinade from flank steak.
Grill steak until it begins to firm and is hot and slightly pink in the center, about 8 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 140 degrees F (60 degrees C). Chop steak into small pieces and transfer to a platter; cover and keep warm until ready to serve.
Place 1 chopped onion, tomatoes, chipotle peppers, and 3 cloves garlic in a blend; pulse until desired consistency. Add water if the salsa becomes too thick. Transfer salsa to a bowl.
Heat tortillas in a microwave safe plate until warm, about 1 minute.
Serve beef over stacks of two corn tortillas with salsa and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 chopped onion, radishes, and cilantro.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 399.7 calories, Carbohydrate 53.9 g, Cholesterol 36.4 mg, Fat 8.8 g, Fiber 8.8 g, Protein 26.7 g, SaturatedFat 2.8 g, Sodium 1336.6 mg, Sugar 4.5 g

Tips:

Choose the Right Cut of Meat: For carne asada tacos, flank steak or skirt steak are great options. For al pastor tacos, pork shoulder is the traditional choice.
Marinade the Meat: Marinating the meat helps tenderize it and infuse it with flavor. For carne asada, a simple marinade of lime juice, garlic, cilantro, and cumin works well. For al pastor, a marinade made with pineapple, achiote paste, and spices is traditional.
Cook the Meat Properly: Carne asada is typically grilled or cooked in a hot pan until it reaches your desired doneness. Al pastor is traditionally cooked on a vertical spit, but it can also be cooked in a grill or oven.
Use Fresh, High-Quality Ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will greatly impact the flavor of your tacos. Use fresh, ripe vegetables and fruits, and high-quality meat and tortillas.
Don't Overcrowd the Pan or Grill: When cooking the meat, don't overcrowd the pan or grill. This will prevent the meat from cooking evenly.
Serve with a Variety of Toppings: Tacos are all about customization, so offer a variety of toppings for your guests to choose from. Some popular toppings include guacamole, salsa, sour cream, cheese, and pico de gallo.

Conclusion:

Carne asada tacos and al pastor tacos are both delicious and popular Mexican dishes. While they have some similarities, they also have some key differences. Carne asada tacos are made with grilled steak, while al pastor tacos are made with pork that has been marinated in achiote paste and pineapple. Both types of tacos are typically served with tortillas, salsa, guacamole, and sour cream. Whether you prefer carne asada tacos or al pastor tacos, there's no doubt that you'll enjoy this flavorful and versatile dish.