Search locations or food
OR
Already have an account? Log in
OR
shutterstock
shutterstock
shutterstock
shutterstock
shutterstock
shutterstock
Tacos al pastor
(Chilangos, Shepherd-Style Tacos)
Tacos al pastor is a Mexican dish consisting of thin slices of shaved pork from a rotating spit, placed on a tortilla and topped with onions, chopped coriander, pineapple chunks, chili, and salsa. The dish evolved from the Lebanese culinary traditions that arrived in Mexico in the late 19th century along with numerous immigrants.
It stems from the popular shawarma, but the Mexicans changed the spices and substituted lamb with pork. Tacos al pastor originated in the city of Puebla, and their name is translated to shepherd's style tacos. However, the addition of pineapple to the dish still remains a mystery to be solved.
Tacos al pastor Authentic recipe
PREP 30min
COOK 50min
RESTING 12h
READY IN 13h 20min
The following recipe honors the tradition of tacos al pastor by focusing on traditional ingredients yet making the preparation suitable for home cooks. The meat is marinated in a rich adobo that blends guajillo peppers, achiote paste, and pineapple juice, and the recipe offers various options for cooking the marinated pork, whether you prefer frying, grilling, broiling, or using a vertical rotisserie, ensuring a delicious outcome no matter your kitchen setup. The recipe is courtesy of Mely Martinez,... Read more
WHERE TO EAT The best Tacos al pastor in the world (according to food experts)
1
Recommended by Dave Lieberman and 18 other food critics.
"If bacon is the gateway drug for vegetarians, carne adobada is the next step toward porcine bliss. There's no distracting sweet pineapple here; it's all pork and capsaicin cooled by avocado."
2
Recommended by Lonely Planet and 12 other food critics.
"These old pros have been churning out delectable tacos al pastor (marinated pork roasted on a spit) since 1959. Several downtown Huequito branches offer the sit-down experience, but for some reason the tacos are better here at the original hole-in-the-wall location."
3
Recommended by Condé Nast Traveler and 12 other food critics.
"The best Al Pastor tacos in all of Tulum, handmade right in front of you."
4
Recommended by Dan Gentile and 11 other food critics.
"Whether or not the veracity of their claim of inventing the al pastor rings true, El Tizoncito still slices some of the most savory pork in the city."
5
Recommended by Sean Boyle and 11 other food critics.
"A taco that melts in your mouth. And they won’t burn a hole in your pocket – at about $11 pesos or $0.80 US they are hard to beat."
6
Recommended by Veronica Meewes and 6 other food critics.
"Needless to say, I never tried ALL the al pastor. But I did make a pilgrimage to El Borrego Viudo after it was recommended several times. Located on a very busy road, this little fonda specializes in a very short list of menu items and is well known for their tacos al pastor, which are masterfully shaved off the spit by chefs in old school paper hats. Their al pastor had a delectable seasoning and a nice variegated texture, served on delicate little corn tortillas."
7
Recommended by Lonely Planet and 7 other food critics.
"Drawing a regular nighttime crowd, this spot near the beach serves delicious tacos al pastor until the wee hours."
8
Recommended by Lonely Planet and 6 other food critics.
"There’s a taco joint on nearly every block in Cancún, but this one has been a local favorite for more than 30 years. One bite of the al pastor (spit-roasted pork) taco and you’ll understand why."
9
Recommended by Trip.com and 18 other food critics.
"A jolting combination of shawarma-style grilled meat filled in tacos - al pastor tacos brings two worlds together like no other. And the Nanatos family of Los Guachos Taqueria knows how to do it right! The juicy meat-filled in corn tortillas are very affordably priced despite the stellar growth story, and oh boy are they a treat to the taste buds."
10
Recommended by Maura Hernandez and 6 other food critics.
"Their tacos al pastor deserve special attention. Neither lovers nor haters will ever call them “bad,” or anything worse. They’re huge though, so order fewer, as one of their “traditional” tacos usually make up three or four of any other taco they serve."
RELATED VIDEOS
Other Tacos varieties
