Best 3 Slow Cooker Al Pastor Bowls Recipes

Tantalize your taste buds with the delectable flavors of Mexican cuisine in the comfort of your own home. Embark on a culinary journey with our slow-cooker al pastor bowls, a harmonious blend of succulent pork, tangy pineapple, and aromatic spices, all nestled atop a bed of fluffy rice. Savor the sweet and savory symphony as the flavors dance on your palate.

In this comprehensive guide, we present you with three irresistible variations of the slow-cooker al pastor bowls: the classic al pastor bowl, the al pastor bowl with roasted sweet potatoes, and the al pastor bowl with black beans and corn. Each recipe is meticulously crafted to cater to diverse dietary preferences and flavor profiles.

For the classic al pastor bowl, we'll marinate tender pork shoulder in a vibrant blend of guajillo and achiote chiles, garlic, cumin, and oregano. Slow-cooking the pork in a flavorful pineapple juice mixture infuses it with a delightful balance of sweetness and tang.

For those seeking a healthier twist, the al pastor bowl with roasted sweet potatoes offers a vibrant medley of colors and textures. Roasted sweet potatoes provide a delightful contrast to the savory pork, while a zesty cilantro-lime dressing adds a refreshing touch.

And for a vegetarian option packed with protein and fiber, the al pastor bowl with black beans and corn is a delightful choice. Black beans and corn, combined with a rich tomato-based sauce, create a hearty and flavorful foundation for the marinated pork.

These slow-cooker al pastor bowls are not only incredibly flavorful but also incredibly convenient. With minimal hands-on time, you can create a restaurant-worthy meal that's perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings with friends and family.

So, gather your ingredients, set your slow cooker, and let the tantalizing aromas of al pastor fill your home as you embark on this culinary adventure. Your taste buds will thank you for this delightful journey into the world of Mexican flavors.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

SLOW COOKER TACOS AL PASTOR

Slow Cooker Tacos al Pastor image

My buddy says it ain't al pastor unless I use a spit. Well, I don't own a spit so there's that. Garnish with lime wedges and crema or sour cream.

Provided by TheElusivePastry

Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Mexican

Time 7h30m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 21

Ingredients

⅔ large pineapple - peeled, cored, and chopped into small chunks
1 small white onion, quartered
1 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, or more to taste
2 dried guajillo chiles, stemmed and seeded, or more to taste
1 dried chile de arbol pepper, stemmed and seeded, or more to taste
3 cloves garlic, halved
1 tablespoon minced fresh oregano
½ cup orange juice
2 tablespoons white vinegar
2 tablespoons achiote powder
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon lime zest, or to taste
½ teaspoon ground ancho chile powder
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 (3 pound) boneless pork loin, cubed
1 tablespoon canola oil, or more as needed
20 (6 inch) corn tortillas
½ cup diced fresh pineapple
½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
⅔ white onion, diced

Steps:

Place pineapple, onion, chipotle peppers plus 1 1/2 teaspoons adobo sauce, guajillo chiles, chile de arbol, garlic, and oregano in a food processor. Blend until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and add orange juice, vinegar, achiote powder, salt, cumin, lime zest, chile powder, and black pepper. Mix sauce well.
Place pork in a slow cooker and cover with the sauce. Cover and cook on Low until pork is very tender, 7 to 9 hours. Begin heating tortillas 35 to 40 minutes before pork is done.
Heat oil in a saucepan over high heat. Cook tortillas one at a time until brown spots appear, 30 seconds to 1 minute per side. Plate tortillas in stacks of two for each taco.
Shred pork using 2 forks; mix to coat with the sauce. Scoop pork onto tacos using a slotted spoon. Top each with a portion of pineapple, cilantro, and onion.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 397.7 calories, Carbohydrate 43.2 g, Cholesterol 64.6 mg, Fat 14.2 g, Fiber 5.4 g, Protein 26 g, SaturatedFat 4.5 g, Sodium 542.9 mg, Sugar 14.6 g

SLOW-COOKER AL PASTOR BOWLS

Slow-Cooker Al Pastor Bowls image

You'll love this easy version of a traditional Mexican favorite. Serve this al pastor bowl over rice or in tortillas with your favorite toppings. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 6h10m

Yield 8 cups.

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

2 cans (7 ounces each) whole green chiles
1 can (20 ounces) pineapple chunks, drained
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup white vinegar
3 garlic cloves, peeled
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons salt
1-1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
4 pounds boneless pork loin roast
Hot cooked rice
Optional toppings: Black beans, chopped avocado, corn, sliced radishes, lime and Mexican crema

Steps:

Puree first 12 ingredients in a blender. In a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker, combine pork and pepper mixture. Cook, covered, on low until pork is very tender, 6-8 hours. Stir to break up pork., Serve pork in bowls over rice. If desired, add toppings.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 232 calories, Fat 7g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 75mg cholesterol, Sodium 512mg sodium, Carbohydrate 11g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 30g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

TACOS AL PASTOR IN THE SLOW COOKER

Tacos al Pastor in the Slow Cooker image

Delicious al pastor tacos with the ease of a slow cooker. Serve on warmed corn tortillas, topped with cilantro, queso fresco, and diced red onion.

Provided by CassMyers

Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Mexican

Time 9h15m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

½ (3 pound) boneless pork loin, or to taste
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 (15 ounce) can crushed pineapple, divided
1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth
1 cup orange juice
1 small red onion, quartered
¼ cup white vinegar
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
3 teaspoons minced garlic
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 (10 ounce) package frozen corn

Steps:

Season pork loin with salt and pepper and place in a slow cooker.
Puree 1/2 of the pineapple with chicken broth, orange juice, red onion, vinegar, lime juice, chipotle pepper, 1 teaspoon adobo sauce, garlic, chili powder, salt, cumin, garlic salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, onion powder, and oregano. Pour over the pork. Add remaining pineapple and frozen corn.
Cook on Low for 8 hours. Shred pork and warm for an additional hour.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 285.1 calories, Carbohydrate 29.1 g, Cholesterol 55.4 mg, Fat 10.2 g, Fiber 2.7 g, Protein 21.2 g, SaturatedFat 3.6 g, Sodium 1255.6 mg, Sugar 16.3 g

Tips:

For the best flavor, use fresh pineapple and marinate the pork for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
If you don't have achiote paste, you can substitute 1 tablespoon of chili powder and 1 teaspoon of annatto powder.
To make the pork carnitas ahead of time, cook it in the slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours, or until the pork is tender. Shred the pork and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months.
To make the pineapple salsa, simply combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
To assemble the bowls, start with a layer of rice, then add the pork carnitas, pineapple salsa, black beans, and avocado. Top with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of cilantro.

Conclusion:

These slow cooker al pastor bowls are a delicious and easy meal that is perfect for busy weeknights. The pork carnitas are tender and flavorful, and the pineapple salsa is a refreshing and tangy complement. The bowls are also customizable, so you can add or remove toppings to suit your taste.