Few things in life are as perfect as tacos. Endlessly customizable, handheld and easy to eat tacos are one of my favorite meals. Channeling the classic flavors of tacos al pastor pork tenderloin is marinated in a smoky sweet sauce, skewered with juicy pineapple and grilled for a great way to get your taco fix any day of the week. Check out this easy recipe for Grilled Pork and Pineapple Tacos for your next taco Tuesday and beyond.
The Casual Foodist contains affiliate links, when you make a purchase through these links the Casual Foodist receives a small commission that helps support this site at no additional cost to you.
During my trip to Mexico City one of my favorite meals was tacos al pastor. Whether it was from a sit down restaurant or one of the many street vendors the combo of smoky pork and sweet pineapple wrapped up in a corn tortilla is a taste I just can’t resist.
What are tacos al pastor?
Traditionally tacos al pastor (or Shepard Tacos translated to English) are thin cuts of marinated pork and pineapple cooked on a vertical spit and then sliced to order. Al pastor evolved from Lebanese immigrants who brought their methods of cooking shawarma on a vertical spit which was adopted to suite local ingredients and flavors.
How to Make Grilled Tacos al Pastor
Since I don’t happen to have a vertical spit at home I took the flavors of al pastor to the grill. Al Pastor is a very common dish throughout central Mexico and there are as many recipes as there are cooks that make it. I start things out with marinating chunks of pork tenderloin in a mixture of homemade guajillo sauce and pineapple juice. While I definitely recommend making a batch of guajillo sauce (and use it in a ton of Mexican and Southwestern dishes) you can also use a jar of chile based enchilada sauce such as La Tortilla Factory.
After a quick marinade (30 minutes or up to 2 hours) thread the pork and pineapple onto skewers. You can use an outdoor gas or charcoal grill or an indoor cast iron grill pan to cook your pork and pineapple skewers. Over medium high heat cook the skewers for 3-4 minutes on each side. Remove the pork and pineapple chunks from the skewers and serve on warm corn tortillas (flour tortillas are fine but corn tortillas are more traditional). Top with chopped or pickled onions, cilantro or your favorite salsa.
If you like these Grilled Pork and Pineapple Tacos be sure to take a look some of my other recipes!
Roasted Tomato and Green Onion Salsa
If you make these Grilled Pork and Pineapple Tacos please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Pinterest for my latest recipes. Also, if you do make this recipe please tag me on Instagram, I’d love to see what you guys are making!
Grilled Pork and Pineapple Tacos (Grilled Tacos al Pastor)
Equipment
- Grill or grill pan
- skewers
Ingredients
- 1 pound pork tenderloin cut into 1 inch cubes
- 1/2 cup guajillo sauce or jarred red chile enchilada sauce
- 3 tbsp pineapple juice
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 8 corn tortillas
Instructions
- Combine guajillo or enchilada sauce with pineapple juice, toss with pork until well coated. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
- Preheat grill or grill pan for medium high heat.
- Thread pork and pineapple onto skewers, alternating between ingredients.
- Cook pork and pineapple skewers for 3-4 minutes on each side.
- Remove pork and pineapple from skewers and divide between tortillas.
- Top with diced or pickled onions, cilantro or your favorite salsa.
Kyleigh says
Nothing beats a good taco!! These are delicious!!
Brynn says
I just love Tacos al Pastor and your recipe looks delicious. Book marking this now to make all summer long.
Gloria says
Tacos are fun to make and fun to eat. Always welcomed at our dinner table. These pork and pineapple tacos sound so delicious. We need to grill some up this weekend.
Freya says
Pork and pineapple just make the best companions for tacos! I love these flavours!
Kasey Ferguson says
My favorite type of taco! Easy and absolutely delicious!