Best 2 Slow Cooker Tacos Al Pastor Recipes

**Tacos al pastor**, a traditional Mexican dish, is a symphony of flavors that tantalizes the taste buds. Originating from the central region of Mexico, it features succulent pork shoulder marinated in a vibrant blend of spices, including achiote, chiles, and pineapple. Slow-cooked to perfection, the meat becomes incredibly tender and juicy, while the marinade infuses it with a captivating sweet and savory essence. Tacos al pastor are typically served with fresh pineapple, cilantro, diced onions, and a squeeze of lime, all nestled in warm tortillas.

This article presents a collection of three distinct recipes that capture the essence of tacos al pastor, each offering a unique interpretation of this culinary delight. The **first recipe** follows a classic approach, utilizing guajillo and ancho chiles along with traditional Mexican spices to create an authentic marinade. The **second recipe** introduces a modern twist, incorporating chipotle peppers and pineapple juice for a smoky and tangy flavor profile. Lastly, the **third recipe** presents a simplified version, perfect for beginners or those short on time, featuring a streamlined ingredient list and easy-to-follow steps.

No matter which recipe you choose, you'll embark on a culinary journey that celebrates the rich flavors of Mexico. These tacos al pastor are guaranteed to be a hit at your next gathering, leaving your taste buds craving more. So, gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and let's delve into the world of tacos al pastor!

Let's cook with our recipes!

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

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

Tips:

Use a good quality pork shoulder. This will ensure that your tacos are flavorful and juicy.
Marinate the pork for at least 4 hours, or overnight. This will help the flavors to penetrate the meat.
Cook the pork on low for 8-10 hours. This will allow the meat to become tender and fall apart.
Use a variety of toppings for your tacos. Some popular options include shredded cabbage, diced tomatoes, diced onions, cilantro, and salsa.
Serve the tacos with your favorite sides. Some popular options include rice, beans, and guacamole.

Conclusion:

Slow cooker tacos al pastor are a delicious and easy way to enjoy this classic Mexican dish. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a flavorful and satisfying meal that the whole family will love. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy dinner, give slow cooker tacos al pastor a try. You won't be disappointed!