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Taco al Pastor — traditional dish from Mexico City, Mexico
Street food Meat

Food Flavour DNA

Nutritional Values

🔥500kcal
💪30gProtein
🌾48gCarbs
🥑20gFat
🌿6gFibre
⚖️250 gServing

* Per serving · 250 g. May vary.

Allergens

🌾 Gluten

Taco al Pastor

How to order / say it
Say it Taco al Pastor — [TAH-ko al pas-TOR]
Order I'd like the taco al pastor, please.
Locally Quisiera un taco al pastor, por favor.
Say locally

Tacos made with marinated pork, often cooked on a vertical spit.

Why try it?

Tacos al Pastor are a vibrant reflection of Mexico City’s rich cultural fusion, showcasing Lebanese influence with Mexican flavors. They represent a delicious and quick street meal popular among locals.

How it tastes

The pork is juicy and spicy, with tender edges from the spit roast. The tacos have a smoky flavor, accentuated by a tangy, sweet burst of pineapple, and a hint of onion and cilantro.

Origin & History — first documented: 1960

This dish has its roots in the 1920s from Lebanese immigrants who brought shawarma-style cooking to Mexico. By the 1960s, it evolved in Mexico City with local spices and pineapple, becoming a staple of Mexican street food culture.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🥩 500 g pork shoulder
  • 100 g pineapple
  • 🌾 6 pieces corn tortillas
  • 🥣 150 ml adobo marinade
  • 🧄 50 g onion
  • 🌿 10 g cilantro

Method

  1. 1 Marinate pork shoulder in adobo for at least 4 hours.
  2. 2 Cook pork on a spit until charred and tender.
  3. 3 Slice pork thinly and place on corn tortillas.
  4. 4 Top with pineapple, onion, and cilantro.

More from Mexico City

All North America recipes — Mexico — Mexico City — Taco al Pastor
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