Al Pastor – A Lovely Mess

Al Pastor means ‘herdsman fashion’ and historically refers to pork that’s sluggish cooked on a spit or vertical rotisserie, very like shawarma. The meat is marinated forward of cooking, and a few the place alongside the way in which pineapple was added into the combo. For me, tacos al pastor style just like carnitas however with a candy and spicy taste from the chipotle chilies and pineapple.

Whereas conventional al pastor is made on a spit, most house cooks (myself included) don’t have a simple technique to accomplish this; so we’re pulling out the sluggish cooker! This al pastor recipe will not be conventional, however it’s simple to make and yields tender, flavorful pork that can be utilized in tacos, rice bowls, quesadillas and extra.

Associated: For those who love this recipe you MUST attempt our carnitas recipe subsequent!

Components

• Pork Shoulder
• Salt
• Oregano
• Cumin
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Cayenne
• Rooster inventory
• Chipotle peppers in adobo
• Lime
• White onion
• Pineapple

make tacos Al Pastor

Mix the dry spices to make the rub: salt, oregano, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne. Rub the pork shoulder throughout with the combo and place within the sluggish cooker.

Add the hen inventory, chipotle peppers in adobo, lime juice, diced onion, and 1/3 of the pineapple reduce into small chunks. I additionally place the outer pores and skin of the pineapple excessive of the meat whereas cooking.

Cowl and cook dinner on excessive for five hours or low for 10 hours.

Take away the meat from the sluggish cooker and shred, this ought to be simple to do with two forks. Fill tacos shells with the meat and prime with diced onion, pineapple and chopped cilantro.

Suggestions and Notes

• Pork shoulder can be referred to as Boston butt, picnic shoulder and picnic roast. For those who can’t discover this or desire a pork substitute various is beef chuck roast.
• I don’t trim the fats earlier than sluggish cooking. I discover leaving it on provides tenderness to the ultimate dish. I additionally assume it’s simpler to take away any massive fats sections through the shredding course of.
• You should utilize water as a substitute of hen inventory. For those who do I’d beneficial including somewhat extra salt, perhaps 1/2 teaspoon or extra.
• I really like this al pastor proper out of the sluggish cooker as soon as shredded. However if you wish to add some texture or crispy ends you possibly can rapidly pan fry it in somewhat oil, very like my carnitas recipe.
• Al pastor meat makes nice leftovers! Retailer in an hermetic container within the fridge for at the very least 3 days. You may simply rewarm it on the stovetop or microwave.

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