Slow Cooker Tacos Al Pastor

These easy Slow Cooker Tacos Al Pastor take minimal effort for maximum flavor!

Juicy, crispy pork is cooked in a smoky, tangy sauce and served with tender onions and juicy pineapple.

These are inspired by traditional tacos al pastor but tweaked to make them easier for the home cook.

Plus they’re naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, Paleo and Whole30 friendly!

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Why this recipe works

Tacos al pastor (“shepherd’s style”) traditionally consist of pork marinated in a blend of guajillo peppers, achiote paste, pineapple juice and spices. The vibrant, not-too-spicy meat is then vertically roasted and thinly sliced and is then topped with onions and pineapple in tortillas.

And while they’re normally thought of as a Mexican recipe, they actually have roots in Lebanese cooking due to migration.

But not only do most home cooks not have vertical roasters, it can also be hard to find guajillo peppers and achiote paste (although you can always try Mexican markets or of course look online).

So I looked at traditional recipes like this amazing one from Mexico in My Kitchen and then modified them to make it more accessible for home cooks. It still has all the smoky, rich flavor with more commonly found ingredients and cooking techniques.

So, even though putting “Slow Cooker” in the title already makes it obvious, I’m not saying this is authentic. I’m just letting you know what the recipe is based in.

 

What you need to make Slow Cooker Tacos Al Pastor

Ingredients:

• 2-2.5 lbs. boneless pork shoulder/butt
• 1 red, yellow or white onion
• 1 (15 oz.) can pineapple rings – don’t drain! We’ll use the juice.
• apple cider vinegar
• chili powder (preferably guajillo)
• chipotle powder
• ground cloves
• dried oregano
• ground cumin
• garlic powder
• fine sea salt
• ground black pepper
• chopped cilantro, for serving (optional)
• taco “containers”:
  • corn or flour tortillas
  • for grain-free/Paleo tacos: grain-free tortillas (like from Siete)
  • for Whole30 tacos: romaine lettuce or Boston lettuce for lettuce cups, or pile onto cauliflower rice, sweet potato rice or parsnip rice

 

Equipment:

• a large slow-cooker
• a blender
• a cutting board
• a chef’s knife
• measuring spoons (these are my favorite because they actually fit into spice jars!)
• a measuring glass
• baking sheet

How to make Slow Cooker Tacos Al Pastor

Step 1: Peel and trim off the ends of the onion. (Save the scraps to make your own bone broth!) Halve and slice into thin half-moons. Add these to the slow cooker insert, toss with a 3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt and spread out into an even layer.

Step 2: Trim any excess fat from the pork (if it has an especially thick fat cap, you can trim it down to a thinner layer). Slice the pork lengthwise into 1/2″ wide steaks. Season with salt on both sides and lay on top of the onions.

Step 3: In a blender, add 1/4 cup pineapple juice (from the can of pineapple rings), the apple cider vinegar, chili powder, garlic powder, oregano, cumin, salt, chipotle powder, cloves and pepper. Blend until smooth.

Step 4: Pour the sauce over the pork and onions. This might not seem like enough liquid but the pork and onions will also release liquid as it cooks.

Step 5: Cover and set on low for 6-7 hours.

Step 6: Turn on the broiler.

Step 7: Remove the pork from the slow cooker and lay flat on a baking sheet. Broil for 3-5 minutes, until parts are darker and crispy, then flip and broil for another 3-5 minutes. The pork might fall apart as you handle it but that’s okay.

Step 8: Slice the pork crosswise into chunks, then serve, drizzling more sauce over the top, with the onions and chopped pineapple rings.

(Note: normally you don’t cook the onion with the pork. However, I’m not a fan of raw onion so I cook them so they get all soft and tender. If you’d rather keep it more traditional, leave the onions out of the slow cooker. Dice them and sprinkle on top of the pork when serving.)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Other recipes you might like:

1. Ground Chicken Tacos
2. Taco Casserole
3. Frozen Mango Margarita
4. Apple Cider Pulled Pork
5. Slow Cooker Espresso Pulled Pork

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