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    Home » Main Dish

    Published: Mar 23, 2023 · Modified: Oct 10, 2023 by Desarae

    Smoked Al Pastor Tacos Recipe

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Salty savory delicious smoked al pastor tacos made with pork butt are one of our very favorite tacos! They are just not very easily replicated at home- so we decided to make our own version of a delicious smoked pork taco al pastor recipe.

    A tray of smoked al pastor tacos with limes and crema.

    What are Tacos al Pastor?

    Al Pastor tacos are made from tender marinated pork shoulder served up on corn tortillas and topped with finely diced onions, cilantro, and diced pineapple.

    It's originally from the central part of Mexico around Puebla and Mexico City.

    The meat is sliced thin and marinated in a pineapple chili red sauce. Then the meat is placed on a large skewer and cooked rotisserie style, similar to shawarma. To make tacos, the meat is sliced off the outside while it continues to spin and roast.

    Why You Will Love This Recipe

    • Enjoy great-tasting tacos al pastor without leaving the house!
    • Tacos are a family favorite! Al pastor tacos are great because they aren't that spicy so they work for everyone!
    • Though they take time to make, the recipe is super easy and of course, totally worth it in the end!
    • Pork shoulder makes a budget-friendly option for meals.

    About the Ingredients

    Making smoked pork tacos will require a handful of basic ingredients. Since a few might be a bit less familiar, you will find a bit more about them below. Be sure to check the recipe card for the full list and quantities.

    Ingredients to make pork taco recipe on the table in a tray.
    • Pork: You will want to choose a bone-in pork shoulder or butt. Make sure it's about 3-4 pounds in weight. This type of pork roast has the optimal amount of fat so that it comes out perfectly juicy and tender when cooked on the grill.
    • Pineapple: Fresh pineapple gives smoked al pastor its signature sweet flavor that perfectly balances the spiciness of the chilies.
    • Chipotle pepper in adobo: Actually smoked jalapeno, chipotles can be found in a can on the international aisle of the grocery store.
    • Dried chilis: We will be using two different types of Mexican chilis. The pasilla-ancho chile and guajillo chili. These also will be found in the international aisle. They are pretty inexpensive ($1-$4).
    • Aromatics: Onion and garlic cook up with the pork to enhance the flavor.
    • Lime: Adds a burst of brightness to the al pastor marinade.

    Is pork shoulder the same as pork butt?

    BASICALLY, YES. (and no) When you are shopping for a pork shoulder and can find only pork butt- no worries!

    They really are very close to the same. They both come from the shoulder of the pig, but pork butt is higher on the foreleg, while pork shoulder is farther down.

    Both cuts are tough and fatty and benefit from long, slow cooking methods such as smoking. Just what you need to make the BEST slow-smoked al pastor tacos OF YOUR LIFE!

    How to Make al Pastor Tacos

    While this method of either rotisserie or spit-grilled pork creates the most delicious al pastor taco not all of us have a giant rotisserie sitting in our kitchen so we are putting our own little twist on the classic tacos al pastor recipe to make them at home.

    Step 1: Prep the Chilis and Marinade

    1. The dry chilis will need a bit of work prior to preparing the marinade. They will need to be softened before blending.
    2. Place your whole chilis in a pan
    3. Add water and bring them to a boil and boil them for 10 minutes.
    4. Once they are soft and boiled you will need to remove the stem and seeds. The easiest way to do this is to slice the chili down the middle and rinse out the seeds.
    Collage showing the steps for prepping the dried chilies.

    Step 2: Make the Al Pastor Marinade

    Once you've got the chilis prepped, the next part is SO EASY! You just blend all the ingredients!!

    1. Start with your liquids or foods that are high in water. This includes vinegar, orange juice, pineapple, onion, and garlic.
    2. Add the chipotle pepper, a few tablespoons of the adobo sauce, sugar, a good amount of salt, and lime juice!

    PRO TIP: When it comes to the adobo sauce, more sauce = more spice. We found that two tablespoons added enough flavor that wasn't too spicy.

    1. Add the boiled chilis, Mexican oregano, and cumin.
    2. Once you've got it all in your blender all you need to do is BLEND!
    A collage showing the steps to make the al pastor marinade.

    PRO TIP: This recipe makes enough al pastor marinade for injecting and marinating the pork. However, if you don't plan on injecting your pork or you plan to inject but use a rub on the outside then you can cut the marinade in half.

    Step 3: Inject the Pork Shoulder with Marinade

    Since traditional al pastor is thinly sliced and marinated ALL OVER, we are going to try to incorporate that marinade through the entire cut of meat to get the same delicious flavor everywhere.

    1. Lay the pork shoulder on the counter or a tray to start injecting the meat.
    2. Place the needle into the pork and move it in four different directions squirting marinade into each direction.
    3. Continue this all over the pork shoulder until you have used about half of the marinade OR you have put all that you can into the meat.
    4. Pour the remaining al pastor sauce over and under the pork butt.

    ❓What should I use to inject the marinade? You are going to need an injector. I bought this one from Amazon and love it. I use it often! Especially on my Smoked Turkey Breast and Fried Turkey.

    A collage of injecting the pork shoulder with al pastor marinade.

    Is it important to marinate the meat?

    Yes, it is especially for the best-tasting pork al pastor! I recommend marinating the meat overnight. However, if time is a factor you can get away with a few hours, but really the best flavor comes with time. So try your best to plan ahead.

    Step 4: Smoke the Al Pastor

    Once the meat has had a chance to marinate, you're ready to start cooking!

    1. Preheat the smoker to 270° F and wait until it burns clean. Put your pork fat side up on the smoker along with a dish of water to the side. Let it smoke for 3 hours. For more flavor, you can also place pineapple on the top if desired.
    2. At the three-hour mark, begin spritzing the top of the pork with apple cider vinegar every hour.
    3. At about hours 6-7, you should see the fat cap separating and splitting. Remove the pork from the smoker using a clean dry towel. Using a towel, instead of tongs will keep the meat from squeezing and juices from excreting.
    4. Wrap the pork shoulder up in aluminum foil.
    Starting to cook the pork for tacos al pastor.
    1. Return the foil-wrapped pork to the smoker to cook for another at 270° F. Then raise the temperature to 290° F and keep the pork on the smoker until the internal temp is about 200-204° F.  
    2. Remove from the smoker and let it rest. Once it's cooled enough to handle, remove the bones from the pork.
    3. Shredding the pork is quite easy because it literally falls into juicy shreds all by itself. You can help it along by pulling it with two forks. See the delicious red sauce inside the pork, and its crispy flavor on the outside? SERIOUSLY PERFECTION. It's time to eat!
    4. Once the meat is shredded, use your favorite toppings and assemble your tacos. For traditional al pastor toppings add some fresh pineapple, crema, cilantro, and onion. Try this pineapple mango salsa and it will knock your socks off!
    Collage of images showing cooking the smoked al pastor on the grill.

    What to Serve with Tacos

    Wondering what to serve with tacos al pastor? Here are some favorites!

    • Serve up with your favorite taco side dishes! We love these instant pot pinto beans or seasoned black beans with some freshly cooked instant pot Mexican rice. You can also cook them together and serve up these tangy black beans and rice in the instant pot.
    • The fruitiness of these pork tacos goes great with fruit salsa such as this pineapple mango salsa. But if you want something a bit more traditional, serve up fresh salsa or a homemade pico de Gallo.
    • Serve up some fun appetizers while the pork is finishing up cooking! Chips with chili cheese dip and guacamole are always a huge hit. Bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers are great too!
    A tray of tacos al pastor with limes and crema.

    Expert Tips

    • Make sure to use a bone-in pork shoulder or butt! The bone helps keep the meat from drying out and also adds flavor.
    • Serve up tacos al pastor however you want! But traditionally the meat is served in a corn tortilla and topped with diced onions, cilantro, and fresh pineapple.
    • Give yourself time and plan ahead! This is a slow-cooking recipe and the flavor will be so much better if you marinate overnight and cook the next day.
    • Let the meat rest when you take it off the grill. This allows the juices to absorb back into the meat rather than running out when you start to cut it.

    FAQs

    How do I store leftovers?

    Store any leftovers in an airtight container. It will keep for two weeks in the fridge or you can freeze it for up to three months.

    Can I make smoked al pastor ahead of time?

    YES! I GET IT. This meat basically takes all day to smoke. So you may need to make it the day before a party or get-together. When you do, smoke it and put it in foil pans or oven-proof pans, and cover them. When you're ready to eat, heat up the pork in the oven or on your grill or smoker.

    What's the best way to store the meat for marinating?

    Since the pork shoulder is quite large you will need a large container. We use a cheap, but airtight storage container from a store like Target or Walmart. It's hard to have an actual kitchen dish that is big enough for large cuts of meat. I find these work perfectly!

    How do I know al pastor pork is perfectly cooked?

    There are two ways to know that you have the perfect smoked pulled pork.
    First, while it's wrapped in the foil press on the meat from side to side and it will jiggle. Second, unwrap the meat and the bone will slide right out with no resistance.

    Smoked tacos al pastor on a tray on the table.

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    You'll also love this delicious Traeger Brisket Recipe!

    While you're in the Smoked Foods Mood, check out this Smoked Pork Belly - it doesn't get more indulgent than that!

    Comment Below!

    If you tried this recipe for smoked al pastor tacos or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to give us a rating on the recipe and leave us a comment below. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest to see what else we’re getting up to!

    A tray of tacos al pastor with limes and crema.

    Smoked Al Pastor Tacos

    Delicious pork tacos made with your favorite Mexican flavors!
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Rate
    Course: Main Dish
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 8 hours hours
    Marinating time: 4 hours hours
    Total Time: 12 hours hours 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 187kcal
    Author: Kadee & Desarae

    Ingredients

    • 3-4 lbs Pork butt or pork shoulder

    MARINADE

    • 2 large pasilla chile
    • 5-6 guajillo chiles
    • 6 garlic cloves
    • 2 teaspoon cumin
    • 2 limes juiced
    • 2 chipotle from can of adobe
    • 2 tablespoons of adobe sauce
    • ¼ cup vinegar
    • 3 cups fresh pineapple
    • 2 tablespoons sugar
    • 2 tablespoons coarse salt
    • 1 teaspoon mexican oregano
    • 1 large onion
    • 1 cup orange juice

    toppings

    • sliced limes
    • small tortilla shells
    • fresh pineapple or pinapple salsa

    Instructions

    Prep and Marinating

    • In a small sauce pan boil pasilla chile and guajillo chiles until guajillo chile is soft. about 10 minutes.
    • Take chiles out, remove stems and seeds.
    • Place in blender with vinegar, orange juice, pineapple,garlic, onion, cumin, lime, chipotle, adobe sauce, vinegar, pineapple, salt, oregano, and sugar. Blend until smooth. Divide in to two.
    • Using an injector- inject ½ of the marinade into the pork.
    • Start by injecting your meat.  Place in the needle and move it 4 different directions squirting marinade into each direction.
    • Continue this all over the pork shoulder until you have used about ½ the marinade OR you have put all that you can into the meat. Pour the remaining al pastor sauce over and under the pork butt.
    • Allow to marinate 4 hours to overnight.

    How to Smoke Al Pastor

    • Preheat the smoker to 270, and wait until it burns clean.
    • Put your pork fat side up on the smoker. Also place a dish of water to the side. Let smoke for 3 hours at 270.
    • At hour 3 spritz with apple cider vinegar every hour. You can also place pineapple on the top if desired.
    • To remove from the smoker use a clean dry bowl and pick it up. Using a towel, instead of tongs will keep the meat from squeezing and juices excreting.
    • At about hour 6-7 you should see the fat cap separating and splitting at that point you will want to remove the pork from the smoker and wrap it in foil.
    • Once foil wrapped place back on the smoker for another at 270 for one house. Raise the temp to 290 and keep on smoker until the internal temp is about 200-204.  Remove from smoker. Let rest.

    Notes

    Make sure to use a bone-in pork shoulder or butt! The bone helps keep the meat from drying out and also adds flavor.
    Serve up tacos al pastor however you want! But traditionally the meat is served in a corn tortilla and topped with diced onions, cilantro, and fresh pineapple.
    Give yourself time and plan ahead! This is a slow-cooking recipe and the flavor will be so much better if you marinate overnight and cook the next day.
    Let the meat rest when you take it off the grill. This allows the juices to absorb back into the meat rather than running out when you start to cut it.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 4oz | Calories: 187kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 3504mg | Potassium: 538mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 1598IU | Vitamin C: 138mg | Calcium: 71mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @OhSoDelicioso or tag #ohsodelicioso!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Erika Darmon says

      December 09, 2020 at 6:01 am

      5 stars
      I haven’t made this yet, but it looks promising! I was wondering if it would be possible to slow roast in the oven if a smoker was not available?

      Reply
      • Desarae says

        December 12, 2020 at 5:50 am

        yes! I've done this! it words great

        Reply
    2. Emily Kemp says

      November 05, 2018 at 8:38 am

      5 stars
      That pineapple salsa sounds so fresh and delicious, can't wait to try these tacos!

      Reply
    3. Jennifer says

      October 17, 2017 at 10:45 pm

      5 stars
      DELICIOUS! we love it

      Reply
    5 from 5 votes (1 rating without comment)

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