How to make Tacos Al Pastor starts with your slow cooker and lots of authentic Mexican spices! Savory tender pulled pork tacos made in the slow cooker topped with an easy pineapple salsa.
How to make Tacos al Pastor
My love hate relationship with pineapple continues with this How to make Tacos al Pastor Recipe!
You remember that, right? The story behind my pineapple salsa recipe? For many, many years (all of my life actually!) pineapple has not been my thing.
Ain’t no way, ain’t no how!
BUT just when you think you know exactly how things are you get a big surprise and that’s where this recipe came about!
The pork shoulder is sprinkled with spices, onions – topped with the rind of the pineapple, then slowly cooked all day long until succulent and tender!
Pastor Taco Recipe
Grocery list for Taco Recipe
- pork shoulder roast
- yellow onion
- tomato sauce or enchilada sauce
- limes
- salt
- pepper
- cumin
- coriander
- chili powder
- pineapple slices
- tortillas corn or flour
What are Tacos al Pastor?
Tacos al Pastor roughly translated means pork that has been marinated, roasted and thinly sliced. Often times marinated with citrus and that’s where the pineapple comes in.
The story of these tacos might surprise you! They originated from Mexico, but the method is actually from Lebanon and originated in the early 1900s. To learn more, click here!
Tacos Al Pastor
How to make Tacos al Pastor
- Place the roast in the crockpot.
- Pour over sauce.
- Sprinkle all of the seasonings overtop.
- Top with slices of pineapple or the peel of a pineapple, rind side up.
- Cover and cook on low 8-10 hours until the pork is fork tender.
When the meat is cooked, use two forks to shred the meat. Top with your favorite salsa. Pineapple Salsa would be the traditional choices, but Mango, Strawberry or Salsa Verde would also be delicious!
More taco recipes from the blog!
- Baja Fish Tacos – easy to make and completely delicious!
- Barbacoa Beef Taco Recipes – these tacos are slowly roasted in the oven for a delicious flavor!
- Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos – another easy weeknight meal!
- Dirty Rice and Black Bean Tacos – great flavor, these are a wonderful vegetarian option!
- Easy Shrimp Tacos – topped with a spicy slaw these are delicious tacos!
- Vegetable Tacos – Simple to make and roasted in the oven – yum!
- Veggie Tacos with Avo Lime Sauce – Creamy sauce tops these cauliflower tacos – one of my favorites!
If you’re looking for a taco recipe…. pretty sure I have it here on the blog! 🤣 and for that matter check out this post with 50+ Mexican Food Recipes!
What to serve with tacos!
- Chicken Chimichanga Recipe – everyone loves these!
- Black Beans – so yummy and a great side dish!
- Southwest Salad Recipes – light and easy to make this is a delicious salad!
What’s your favorite side to serve with tacos?
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- Measuring Spoons – I love the shape of these because they fit into spice jars
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Tacos al Pastor
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 4.5 lb. pork shoulder roast
- 1 yellow onion cut into thick slices
- 8 oz. tomato sauce
- 3 limes juiced
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 tsp chili powder
- pineapple slices
- tortillas corn or flour
Instructions
- Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
- Place the pork roast into the slow cooker.
- Pour the tomato (or enchilada) sauce over the roast.
- Sprinkle the spices over the roast, top with the sliced pineapple skin
- Cover and slowly roast for 8 hours on low or 4-5 hours on high
- When the meat is cooked, use shred the meat with forks. Serve with tortillas and salsa.
Liza says
What a great recipe! My kids love Mexican but it seems to hard to make it! You made it so easy and simple! Thanks!
Healing Tomato says
What a great recipe to make for Taco Tuesday! I love the idea of making it using the slow cooker.
Bowl Me Over says
Thank you so much, we just love this recipe and leftovers were transformed into more meals!!
debi at Life Currents says
My husband has been making carnitas in the slow cooker & Instant pot lately. It’ll be nice for him to have a bit of a change and try these tacos al pastor. I think he’ll really like the flavors. Forwarding your recipe to him.
Bowl Me Over says
Fabulous! I think he will love these tacos!!
Michaela Kenkel says
YOu said the magic word “TACOS!” I am making these Tuesday!! I can’t wait!
Sandra Shaffer says
Slow cooked to perfections! This came out nice and tender and we intended to share with my neighbor who just came home from the hospital, but we ate the whole meal ourselves in two days! On to making another batch of tacos al pastor!