Savory Beef Al Pastor Tacos (Print Version)
Grilled marinated beef al pastor in warmed corn tortillas topped with pineapple, red onion, cilantro and salsa.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef & Marinade
01 - 1.1 lbs beef flank or sirloin, thinly sliced
02 - 2 tablespoons adobo sauce
03 - 2 tablespoons pineapple juice
04 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
05 - 2 tablespoons orange juice
06 - 1 tablespoon chipotle chili powder
07 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
09 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
12 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
→ Tacos & Toppings
14 - 8 small corn tortillas
15 - 1 cup fresh pineapple, diced
16 - 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
17 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
18 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
19 - Salsa verde or your favorite salsa, to serve
# How to Make It:
01 - In a mixing bowl, combine adobo sauce, pineapple juice, apple cider vinegar, orange juice, chipotle chili powder, dried oregano, ground cumin, smoked paprika, minced garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, and olive oil. Whisk until evenly blended.
02 - Add sliced beef to the marinade and mix thoroughly to coat all pieces. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes or up to 4 hours to develop flavor.
03 - Preheat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook marinated beef in batches until lightly charred and cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and slice into bite-sized pieces.
04 - Heat corn tortillas on the pan or directly over a gas flame until warm and pliable.
05 - Fill each tortilla with grilled beef. Top with diced pineapple, chopped red onion, cilantro, and salsa. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The tangy-sweet marinade feels like a chef’s trick, but it’s secretly easy.
- Grilling brings out caramelized edges and juicy bites you’ll crave again.
02 -
- If you overcrowd the pan, the beef will steam instead of char—it’s worth the patience to cook in batches.
- Grilling the pineapple before dicing adds incredible caramel notes; I’ll never skip this step again.
03 -
- Slice your beef against the grain—otherwise, it’ll be chewy, not tender.
- Chilling the beef in the marinade longer intensifies the flavor in every bite.