Tacos al Pastor

Introduction

Tacos al Pastor are Mexico City's most iconic street food — thinly sliced marinated pork cooked on a vertical spit, served in warm corn tortillas with sweet pineapple and fresh coriander.

Ingredients

• 500g pork shoulder, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp achiote paste
• 2 dried chilies (ancho or guajillo), soaked
• Pineapple chunks
• Corn tortillas, warmed
• Fresh coriander and diced onion
• Lime wedges and salsa

Steps

1. 1. Blend soaked chilies with achiote paste, garlic, orange juice, and vinegar into a smooth marinade.
2. 2. Coat pork slices in marinade. Refrigerate overnight, or at least 2 hours.
3. 3. Cook pork on a very hot pan or grill until charred at the edges, about 3 minutes per side.
4. 4. Grill pineapple chunks alongside until caramelised.
5. 5. Serve in warm corn tortillas topped with pineapple, coriander, diced onion, and salsa.

Tips

Overnight marinating makes a huge difference — the achiote and chilies need time to penetrate the meat.