Savory Beef Al Pastor Tacos (Printable)
Grilled marinated beef al pastor with pineapple, red onion, cilantro and salsa on warm corn tortillas.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef & Marinade
01 - 1.1 pounds 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 preferred salsa, for serving
# Directions:
01 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together 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 until fully blended.
02 - Add thinly sliced beef to the marinade, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes, or up to 4 hours for enhanced flavor infusion.
03 - Preheat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Grill the marinated beef in batches until lightly charred and thoroughly cooked, approximately 3–4 minutes per side. Slice or chop into bite-sized portions after grilling.
04 - Heat corn tortillas individually on the grill pan or directly over a gas flame, turning until just warm and pliable.
05 - Fill each warm tortilla with grilled beef. Garnish with diced fresh pineapple, finely chopped red onion, chopped cilantro, and a generous spoonful of salsa. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- You get that sweet and smoky al pastor flavor without firing up a spit—just marinate, grill, and go.
- No one will miss the pork with beef this tender and juicy—trust me, I’ve witnessed happy silence after the first bite more than once!
02 -
- I once rushed the marinade and paid the price—20 minutes is minimum, but if you can wait, an hour or more is pure magic.
- Grilling pineapple briefly before dicing is a tiny step that brings out caramel notes and makes the tacos unforgettable.
03 -
- If slicing beef feels tricky, partially freeze it for 10 minutes first—it makes even thin cuts a breeze.
- The salsa choice changes everything; try a tangy tomatillo salsa for classic flair or go spicy for a twist.