Grilled Tacos al Pastor on the Arteflame Grill
Introduction
Tacos al Pastor are a popular Mexican street food known for their flavorful, marinated pork cooked on a spit. With the Arteflame grill, you can recreate this classic dish by grilling marinated pork and pineapple to perfection, achieving the same juicy, caramelized flavor as traditional methods. This recipe utilizes the Arteflame’s versatile flat top and optional rotisserie for evenly cooked, delicious tacos that will wow your guests.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork shoulder (thinly sliced)
- 1 pineapple (peeled, cored, and sliced)
- 8-10 small corn tortillas
- ½ cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
- 1 small white onion (diced)
- 2 limes (cut into wedges)
- Butter for cooking
Marinade
- 4 dried guajillo chilies (seeded)
- 2 dried ancho chilies (seeded)
- 3 cloves garlic
- ½ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup white vinegar
- 1 tbsp achiote paste
- 1 tbsp oregano
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
1. Fire Up the Arteflame Grill
Start by lighting the Arteflame grill. Pour some vegetable oil on three paper napkins, place them in the grill, and stack firewood over top. Light the napkins and let the grill heat up for about 20 minutes. If you have the optional rotisserie, set it up while the grill is heating.
2. Prepare the Marinade
In a pot, boil the dried chilies for 5-7 minutes until soft. Drain and blend the chilies with garlic, orange juice, vinegar, achiote paste, oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, and vegetable oil to create a smooth marinade.
3. Marinate the Pork
Place the thinly sliced pork shoulder in a large bowl and pour the marinade over it, ensuring every piece is well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight for the best flavor).
4. Grill the Pork and Pineapple
Once the grill is ready, add a generous amount of butter to the flat top cooktop. Grill the marinated pork slices on the hot center of the flat top for 3-4 minutes per side until they are nicely seared and caramelized. Move the pork towards the outer edge of the cooktop to finish cooking through.
At the same time, place the pineapple slices on the flat top griddle. Grill them until they are caramelized, with nice charred edges, about 2-3 minutes per side.
5. Warm the Tortillas
Move the pork and pineapple off the heat. Add a little butter to the outer edges of the flat cooktop and warm the corn tortillas for 1-2 minutes per side until soft and pliable.
6. Assemble the Tacos
Slice the grilled pork and pineapple into small bite-sized pieces. Place a generous amount of pork on each tortilla, top with grilled pineapple, diced onion, and fresh cilantro. Serve with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the tacos.
Tips for Perfect Tacos al Pastor
- Thin Slices: Slice the pork shoulder as thin as possible to ensure it cooks quickly and absorbs maximum flavor from the marinade.
- Caramelization: Grilling the pineapple and pork on the hot center of the Arteflame gives them that beautiful caramelization, adding sweetness to complement the savory pork.
- Rest the Pork: After grilling, let the pork rest for a few minutes before slicing to retain its juices.
5 Variations of Grilled Tacos al Pastor
1. Tacos al Pastor with Avocado Salsa
Add a creamy avocado salsa made from avocados, lime juice, cilantro, and jalapeños to your tacos for a fresh, zesty twist.
2. Spicy Al Pastor
Add extra heat to the marinade by including chipotle chilies in adobo sauce, giving the pork a smoky, spicy flavor.
3. Pineapple-Jalapeño Al Pastor
Grill sliced jalapeños along with the pineapple for a sweet-spicy kick that pairs perfectly with the marinated pork.
4. Citrus Al Pastor
Boost the citrus notes by adding more orange juice and lime zest to the marinade, giving the pork a vibrant, tangy flavor profile.
5. Vegetarian Al Pastor
Swap the pork for marinated and grilled portobello mushrooms or jackfruit for a plant-based twist that’s still packed with flavor.
Best Pairings for Tacos al Pastor
- Salsas: Roasted tomato salsa, salsa verde, or a spicy habanero sauce.
- Sides: Mexican street corn (elote), black beans, or a light jicama slaw.
- Beverages: Pair with a cold cerveza, a classic margarita, or a refreshing horchata.
Conclusion
Tacos al Pastor on the Arteflame grill take this iconic dish to the next level. The perfectly seared pork, grilled pineapple, and warm tortillas make for an unforgettable meal. Whether for a taco night or a summer cookout, these grilled tacos will be a hit!
