Best 2 Tacos Al Pastor In The Slow Cooker Recipes

Tacos al pastor, a flavorful and succulent dish originating from central Mexico, is a culinary delight that tantalizes taste buds with its unique blend of spices, tender meat, and the smokiness of pineapple. This mouthwatering dish, traditionally made with pork shoulder, is marinated in a vibrant combination of guajillo and ancho chiles, achiote paste, garlic, cumin, and oregano, imparting a rich and complex flavor profile. The marinated pork is then roasted on a vertical spit, known as a trompo, with slices of pineapple, creating a symphony of flavors and aromas. Tacos al pastor is typically served with fresh tortillas, salsa, guacamole, cilantro, and onions, allowing diners to assemble their tacos to their liking. This article provides three distinct recipes for tacos al pastor, each offering a unique culinary experience. The first recipe presents a traditional method of cooking tacos al pastor on a vertical spit, replicating the authentic street-style preparation. The second recipe adapts the classic dish to a slow cooker, making it an effortless and convenient option for home cooks. The third recipe offers a vegetarian twist on tacos al pastor, utilizing portobello mushrooms as a meat substitute, catering to those with dietary preferences or seeking a plant-based alternative.

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

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:

Choose a chuck roast or pork shoulder that has good marbling. This will help the meat stay moist and flavorful during cooking.
Be sure to trim any excess fat from the meat before cooking. This will help prevent the tacos from being greasy.
Don't be afraid to experiment with different flavors in the marinade. You can add your favorite spices, herbs, and citrus fruits to create a unique flavor profile.
Cook the meat on low heat for at least 8 hours, or until it is fall-apart tender. This will ensure that the meat is cooked evenly and is infused with flavor.
Serve the tacos with your favorite toppings, such as salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and shredded cheese.

Conclusion:

Tacos al pastor are a delicious and easy-to-make dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. By following the tips in this article, you can create a delicious and authentic tacos al pastor dish that will be sure to impress your family and friends.