The chiles used are relatively mild, and the seeds can be removed to ensure the meat stays mild rather than spicy. This mixture gives us the authentic flavor we love so much in Mexican food. The dried chiles are boiled to reconstitute them and release the flavors, then all of the ingredients for the marinade gets blended together in a blender. Pasilla chiles are sometimes used although they tend to be spicier than guajillo and ancho. Ingredients for Al Pastor Marinade:ĭried guajillo chiles, dried ancho chiles, onion, garlic, cumin seed, achiote paste (or achiote powder), Mexican oregano, orange juice, and vinegar are the ingredients we need to make the pork marinade for the al pastor. Keep in mind that you will want enough marinade to generously coat all of the pork, so if you use a roast that is larger than 5 pounds, increase the amount of the marinade by 1.5 to 2 times so that you have enough. Pick up a boneless cut of meat roast so that chopping it (or slicing it) is easier. What Kind of Pork to Use for Al Pastor:įor the best result, use either pork shoulder roast or pork butt, as these options contain plenty of fat marbling for maximum flavor. Because cooking al pastor in a crock pot is so different from the traditional method, I wouldn’t call this authentic al pastor, but a great option for those who love to experiment with Mexican cuisine at home. In this sense, we’re getting the same rich and tender meat but the process of cooking it is no only simpler but doable for those who don’t own a grill or a spit. Slow Cooking in a Crock Pot: Recognizing that most meat eaters absolutely adore al pastor but some may seek an easier way of cooking it, I decided to develop a crock pot al pastor recipe. From slicing or dicing the pork roast, to the long marinade time, to cooking it to perfection slowly, preparing this delicious dish is an achievement. No matter how you slice it, preparing al pastor is quite the operation. When this method is used, the thin slices of pork shoulder is typically wrapped with bacon for even more delicious flavor. A sharp knife is used to slice the outer layer of meat off the spit and this tender pork is then served as tacos.īecause not everyone owns a spit or vertical skewer, grill, or rotisserie setup, many alternate cooking methods have been introduced throughout the years.īaking in the Oven: It is common to bake al pastor in the oven by layering the thinly sliced seasoned pork meat in a roasting pan, such that the meat is still cooked close together but baked rather than grilled rotisserie style. Grilling on a Spit: As mentioned above, the traditional way of preparing al pastor is thinly slicing pork roast, marinating it in a red chili paste, then grilling it slowly on a spit, similar to kebabs. The chili marinade is made using dried chilis, similar to what you’ve seen in my Crock Pot Birria Tacos and my Instant Pot Chile Colorado. The cooking method for traditional Mexican Al Pastor was borrowed from Lebanese lamb shawarma, which is thinly sliced and slow roasted on a spit.Īl pastor is most commonly used for tacos, but it can also be served as a plate with rice and beans or incorporated into burritos or enchiladas. Boneless pork shoulder is sliced thinly, marinated, then the pork slices are closely stacked on a spit and cooked slowly, often served as tacos with sweet pineapples. “Al Pastor” translates to shepherd style, as the authentic version is grilled on a vertical spit. What is Al Pastor?:Īl Pastor is a classic Mexican dish of tender, crispy pork meat that has been marinated sufficiently in a red chili marinade. Let’s dive into this marvelous culinary adventure. In this sense, the work is broken into three parts so that it seems less daunting. I marinate for at least 24 hours, slow cook for 8, then make the tacos al pastor. The good news is, because the meat needs to marinate and the longer it marinates, the better, you can easily break the cooking process into two days and actually it benefits you to do so. So much so that homemade tacos al pastor may just become your new favorite for taco nights. If you’ve never tried making traditional al pastor at home, there are two key things you need to know: 1.) The process is lengthy, but 2.) It is well worth the effort! We’re here to discuss arguably the best tacos in existence: al pastor tacos. If you’re anything like me, you could eat tacos every single day and never get tired of them. Use it for tacos, burritos, and enjoy it with side dishes for an otherworldly meal! Quite possibly the easiest Al Pastor recipe you’ll ever make! Slow cooking crock pot al pastor in the crock pot leaves you with incredibly tender meat that is rich in flavor.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |