Air Fryer Al Pastor Pork Tacos

Al pastor tacos are absolutely mouth-watering, and will be a big hit at any family gathering – or any Taco Tuesday!

The tacos have a smoky, yet sweet flavor after being marinated in a tangy and savory sauce.  The meat is tender and flavorful, then added to a corn tortilla and topped with onion, cilantro and a splash of lime!  The recipe is super easy, taking only 20 minutes of prep time and 15 minutes to cook in the air fryer.  For the best flavor, though, I highly recommend marinating the pork overnight to achieve the fullest of flavors!

What is Al Pastor?

It is a wonderful dish that is popular in central Mexico.  Al pastor means “shepherd style” in Spanish. The pork is thinly sliced and then marinated in an achiote paste with other seasonings and pineapple. Together, the marinating brings out the rich sweet and sour flavors in the pork.  The method of preparing and cooking al pastor is based on the lamb shawarma brought by Lebanese immigrants to the region.  Originally, the pork was grilled on a spit, which may be still be found at many taquerias.

Substitutions:

Al pastor can also be made with boneless chicken thighs (they contain more moisture than the breast meat).

Orange juice can be substituted for the pineapple juice if needed.

Achiote paste – while we made our own achiote paste for the recipe, it is available in Mexican stores and in most grocery stores in the Mexican food aisles.  El Yucateco would be a good substitute.

What if I don’t have an Air Fryer?

If you don’t have an air fryer, here are some suggestions for making al pastor.

Grill – grill 3-4 minutes on each side until the edges are crispy

Stove top – cook the pork in a skillet in a little oil until the meat is cooked and the edges are crispy

Broiler – Lay slices of meat on a sheet pan with a rack and broil for 15-20 minutes

Oven – Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and bake 1 hour

The internal temperature for pork should be at least 145 degrees.

Various ways to serve Al Pastor:

Quesadillas – Place al pastor meat and shredded cheese on a flour tortilla, then top with another tortilla.  Cook this in a skillet until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are crispy.

Salad – Place al pastor over a bed of lettuce, and add your favorite vegetables, then top it with your favorite dressing

Burrito – Using a large flour tortilla, add al pastor, shredded cheese, refried beans and garnishes.

Low Carb – if you’re looking for a low carb option, just omit the tortillas!

Storing Leftovers:

Store al pastor in an airtight container for up to 3 days.  Store the tortilla shells and toppings separately as well.  Reheat al pastor in a skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the meat is heated through.  You can also reheat the meat in the air fryer or the oven at a temperature of 350 degrees until the meat is thoroughly heated.

Important Reminder!

Pork should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 145 degrees

Ingredients:

Paprika – made from red peppers, but tends to be milder in this form.

Dried oregano – has a pungent, earthy flavor.

Cumin – warm, earthy flavor with both a sweet and bitter flavor.

Garlic powder – dehydrated garlic used to enhance the flavor in dishes. You can use minced garlic if that is what you have!

White vinegar – sometimes called “distilled vinegar”, mildly acidic clear liquid.

Olive oil – liquid fat from olives.

Chipotle peppers in adobe sauce – these are canned and can be found in most grocery stores. You just need two peppers and a tablespoon of sauce. This isn’t spicy, but adds great flavor!

Pineapple chunks and juice – canned and available at grocery stores (if using fresh pineapple in the marinade, only marinade 4 hours as the pork can get mushy)

Pork Shoulder – Pork shoulder is a great part of the pig for dicing and slicing, which makes it the best for Al Pastor Tacos! Other parts of the pig, such as pork but, are better for dishes like carnitas where they are meant to be shredded.

Limes – garnish. I LOVE lime juice on these Al Pastor Tacos! They really pull out the flavors!

Fresh cilantro – garnish. You can omit cilantro if you don’t like it. But my family can’t get enough!

White onion – White onion is best for tacos as it’s best raw to garnish as they are less stringy.

Corn tortillas – I prefer my Al Pastor tacos with corn tortillas, but can also use flour tortillas if you prefer. For a low-carb option, omit tortillas completely!

For this step, you will be preparing achiote paste.  Add 4 teaspoons paprika, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, and 1/4 teaspoon oil to a mixing bowl.

Mix into an achiote paste. You can buy this paste pre-made and use 2 tablespoons.

Chop the chipotle peppers into small pieces. Add paste, spices, vinegar, pineapple juice, chipotle peppers, and adobo sauce to a saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer.

Once simmering, remove from heat and let it cool.

Add cooled marinade to a storage bag and toss in the sliced pork. Mix the continents well and make sure the meat is fully coated. Place in fridge for 24 hours.

Remove slices of pork and place in the oil-sprayed air fryer basket. Chop up the pineapple chunks and place them on top of the meat.

Cook at 350°f for 15 minutes.

Remove and set the meat on a cutting board. Chop the meat into small pieces.

Warm the tortillas, fill the tortillas with the chopped meat…

…and garnish with diced onion and cilantro.

Squeeze some lime juice on top and enjoy!

My grocery list!

Some of the links to products on my blog are affiliate links. It simply means, at no additional cost to you, I’ll earn a commission if you click through and purchase any product.

Thank you for your support!

My supply list!

To dice your onions, I HIGHLY suggest you adding this to your kitchen gadgets! You add your onion to the top of the blade, and with one push, you have made hundreds of pieces of diced onions! I will never chop my vegetables any other way!

As mentioned before, you do not need an Air Fryer for this recipe. However, if you are searching for a new air fryer, this is the one our family has! It works well, is an 8 quart with a great size for our family of 4, and has a viewing window. 

Store your Al Pastor in an airtight container for up to 3 days.  Store the tortilla shells and toppings separately as well. I love these glass containers as they are low toxic. They are perfect to store in the fridge, and great to take to work the next day! You can easily microwave your leftovers too!

Do you love this recipe? Please share with your friends, and leave a comment! Try some of these other recipes as well, and Iet me know what you think!

• Air Fryer Focaccia
• Air Fryer Korean-Style Beef Ribs
• Air Fryer Starbucks Copycat Kale and Mushroom Egg Bites
• Jalapeño Cheddar No Knead Artisan Bread Loaf
• Air Fryer Popcorn