Tacos al pastor makes me think of carefree summer days, hanging out with friends, less responsibility…. I have an al pastor recipe in my recipe collection that’s from 2008. I don’t remember exactly why I have an al pastor recipe from that long ago…. It’s likely from my college days when I would obsessively look up recipes to avoid homework. Thank goodness Pinterest wasn’t around until after I graduated….
I may have made these tacos al pastor for a food demo at work one time as well, maybe. I definitely do remember making them for our group of friends once, but it was years ago. I don’t think Kris and I were even dating at the time (my cooking is what won him over, haha). A group of us used to do “Sunday Funday” dinners and I made these tacos after a pool party one Sunday. Let’s just say they were a big hit, at least that’s how I remember it! Although, generally, I don’t think it’s too hard to impress of bunch of single guys who normally eat sandwiches or chicken and rice for dinner….
And it was one of those days…. You know how after spending a full day in the sun, you’re just ravenous and everything tastes so good? Like camping? Well, okay, these tacos al pastor are amazing no matter when you make them, but that one time I made them for Sunday Funday always stands out in my mind. I think it’s the good memories from a wonderful day with friends.
Food is like that, you know? The emotional part of eating and all the feelings associated with the memory. The social aspect of sharing a meal with people is part of what makes us human. There’s something intimate about sitting down at a table with people and eating together. It’s about the experience as well as the food. I think that far too often, people are too busy to actually enjoy their food, they just eat to eat.
This recipe takes some of the pressure off slaving away in the kitchen all day, just throw everything in the crockpot and leave it. Easy, peasy. Traditional al pastor meat is prepared like shawarma, think of it like a Mexican gyro. Preparing this dish in the crockpot takes no time at all and even though it’s a pretty hands off recipe, it will still impress.
Tacos al pastor are my favorite tacos! Enjoy them for Taco Tuesday and Cinco de Mayo!
- 1 large yellow onion chopped, divided (1/4 of the chopped onion into the crockpot, 3/4 of it into the sauce)
- 1 fresh pineapple peeled, cut into 1/2 inch chunks, save the pineapple juice, divided (half into the sauce, 1/4 whole into the crockpot, 1/4 for topping)
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp chile powder
- 4 garlic cloves
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp dried Mexican oregano
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 2-4 canned chipotle chiles + 1-2 tbsp adobo sauce depending on how spicy you want it
- 3 lbs pork roast
- Corn tortillas
- Cilantro
- Small white onion finely chopped
- Cotija
- Crema Mexicana
- Lime wedges
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To make the sauce, place 3/4 of the yellow onion, 1/2 of the pineapple, the pineapple juice, apple cider vinegar, chile powder, garlic, salt, oregano, cumin, chipotle chiles, adobo sauce, and 1/4 cup water in a blender and puree until smooth.
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Place pork roast into the crockpot and pour in the sauce to cover the pork. Add in the remaining 1/4 of the yellow onion and a quarter of the pineapple. Reserve the last 1/4 of the pineapple for topping the tacos.
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Cook pork in the crockpot for 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low, checking occasionally.
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When pork has finished cooking, remove from the crockpot and chop/shred. Return to crockpot and mix pork in with the sauce, allow pork to simmer in sauce.
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While pork and sauce simmer, heat a skillet over medium high heat. Place remaining pineapple chunks in skillet and char for 2-3 minutes.
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To serve tacos, warm tortillas in skillet for 1-2 minutes.
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Top tortillas with pork, charred pineapples, cilantro, chopped white onion, cotija, crema, and lime wedge.
They look great. Pork tacos are the best, thanks for sharing
Thanks, Keith! Agreed pork tacos are amazing!!!
This looks like it will be very good. I really look forward to making it next week. I have one question, though. Do you mean canned chilis in adobo when you specify chipotle chilis and adobo sauce?
Yes, canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce. Thank you, I just updated the recipe 🙂
These look delicious. And who doesn’t love tacos – I’d like to meet someone who isn’t a fan (I never have and probably couldn’t be friends with them if they didn’t love tacos). And making them in the crockpot is a great idea!
I know, right? Tacos are the BEST! Crockpot makes things super easy! I don’t think I could be friends with a taco-hater either, haha! 😉
Can you please expand on the pork roast? Is it pork shoulder, pork loin, pork tenderloin?
Hi Erin,
I used a pork sirloin roast when I made these, but I’ve used tenderloin and pork shoulder in the past and they’ve all worked fine.
Thanks for prompt answer. I’m making these for incoming family weekend guests:)
I already made shredded pork for tacos and slow cooked it,can I possibly just add the pineapple and the rest ingredients into my slow cooker .please advise
I think it would work if you added the pineapple and other ingredients to the crockpot. Are you adding them to the pork on their own? You could try roasting the pineapple and onion on a baking sheet in the oven at 350 for 10-15 minutes and then adding that to the pulled pork. Hope that helps!
Made this tonight for my family including my son’s girlfriend who is from Mexico and everyone really enjoyed it. I think next time I might take some of the pork out of the slow cooker and fry it for a few minutes to get those crispy bits going, but flavor wise it was pretty authentic. Thanks for posting it!
Awesome Kelli! Glad you hear you liked it! Oooohhh, I bet frying the meat for a few minutes would be delicious! 🙂
What is the nutritional facts on this?
How could i make this in a dutch oven and put it in the oven – cook temp and time please? Slow cooker is on my christmas list!
Yes, you can cook it in a Dutch oven. I’d probably do 350 degrees for 3-4 hours or you could just leave it stove top on medium -low for 4 hours or so.
Hi there! I’m unclear about the 1/4 pineapple going into the crockpot. Is it 1/4 of the pineapple cut in 1″ chunks, or 1/4 of the pineapple in one whole piece? Thanks!
Hi Courtney! It’s a quarter of the pineapple cut into chunks.