Skip to content

Meat, Americas

Tacos al pastor with grilled pineapple

Tacos al pastor with grilled pineapple is a Mexican dish made with pork marinated in spices, grilled and served in corn tortillas with caramelized pineapple. This recipe for 4 people takes 50 minutes, stays easy to make, and costs €3.10 per serving. The key to success is slicing the pork thin and using a very hot pan to get a real sear.

Let's head to Mexico City with tacos al pastor, pork marinated in chiles, grilled and served with caramelized pineapple.

Tacos al pastor with grilled pineapple
Total time
50 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€3.10
Calories per person
670 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Spring, Summer
The kids
They generally like it

Tacos al pastor get their character from the marinade, a mix of garlic, spices, and orange juice that colors the pork and gives it a flavor that's both bold and slightly tangy. The grilled pineapple adds the sweet contrast that balances the Espelette pepper, while fresh cilantro brings a green, fragrant note to every bite.

This recipe makes a great weeknight dinner that breaks from routine, as long as you plan a bit ahead for the marinade. Kids generally like building their own tortillas, which also makes this a fun dinner to share on a Friday night or a summer Sunday with family or friends.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Thinly sliced pork shoulder 700 g

Pantry

  • Corn tortillas 12
  • Orange juice 10 cl
  • Cider vinegaroften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Paprikaoften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Espelette pepperoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Turmericoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Cuminoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Oreganooften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Fresh pineapple 0.5
  • White onion 1
  • Fresh cilantro 1 bunch
  • Limes 2
  • Garlic 3 cloves

The step by step recipe

  1. Blend the garlic, vinegar, orange juice, paprika, Espelette pepper, turmeric, cumin, oregano, and salt to make the marinade.

    Paprika mixed with turmeric replaces achiote and gives that nice red color.

  2. Coat the pork in the marinade and let it marinate. 30 min

    A few hours in the fridge makes it even better.

  3. Sear the pork in small batches in a very hot, oiled pan until it's nicely charred. 10 min

    Don't overcrowd the pan, the meat should grill, not steam.

  4. Slice the pineapple, grill it in a pan or in the oven until golden, then cut it into small dice. 6 min

    A pinch of sugar helps it caramelize.

  5. Warm the tortillas dry in a hot pan, then fill with pork, pineapple, chopped onion, and cilantro.

    Wrap the tortillas in a kitchen towel to keep them soft.

  6. Serve with lime wedges to squeeze on top.

    The lime is essential, it brings out all the flavors.

Our tips to get it right

  • Slice the pork against the grain so it stays tender even after a quick sear in the pan.
  • Keep the pan very hot and dry before adding the pork, that's what gives you charred edges instead of meat that steams in its own juice.
  • Prep all the toppings, onion, cilantro, lime, before cooking the pork, since you'll need to assemble everything fast while it's still hot.

The variations

  • Swap the pork shoulder for thinly sliced chicken for a lighter version, cutting the pan cooking time down.
  • For a vegetarian version, use portobello mushroom slices marinated the same way and seared in the pan.
  • For a quicker dinner, skip the long marinating time and let the pork sit for just 10 minutes, the flavor will be a bit milder but the dish still works.

What to serve it with

  • Mexican tomato rice
  • Spicy black beans
  • Sparkling water with lime

Storage

The marinated, cooked pork keeps for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container. Reheat it in a hot pan to bring back some crispness. The grilled pineapple and fresh toppings are best made just before serving.

Questions about this dish

Can you make the marinade ahead of time?

Yes, you can marinate the pork up to 24 hours ahead in the fridge. The longer it sits, the more the flavors soak into the meat.

Can you use flour tortillas instead of corn tortillas?

Yes, even though corn tortillas are more traditional and give a more authentic taste. Flour tortillas work well too and are sometimes easier to find.

Why mix paprika and turmeric in the marinade?

This combination replaces traditional achiote paste, which is hard to find outside Mexico. It gives the pork the same deep red orange color without really changing the flavor.

Can you freeze the raw marinated pork?

Yes, you can freeze the pork already coated in marinade in a freezer bag. Thaw it in the fridge before cooking.

How long does it take to make tacos al pastor with grilled pineapple?

Count 50 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in tacos al pastor with grilled pineapple?

About 670 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does tacos al pastor with grilled pineapple cost?

About €3.10 per serving, or €12.40 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains none of the major allergens tracked by Mon Chou. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

American Cuisines

See all

Recipes with cilantro

See all