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    Home » Pork » Al Pastor Kabobs

    Al Pastor Kabobs

    May 24, 2022

    300 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    These al pastor grilled kabobs brings your favorite flavorful taqueria  meat, into your own home! This al pastor marinade recipe with guajillo and ancho chiles, achiote, pineapple, and delicious spices, gives you the most flavorful and tender pork. Grilled and charred to perfection, these al pastor grilled skewers will be on repeat all summer long!

    skewered pork al pastor on wooden skewers with char marks from grill on a white oval plate

    What is al pastor?

    Al pastor (better known as Al pastor tacos) is a dish from central Mexico, where marinated pork is grilled/roasted on a rotating ‘trompo’ (round spinning top). This style of rotating spit-grilling came from the Lebanese and immigrants brought it to Mexico.

    What kind of meat to use in Al pastor

    raw pork shoulder on a grey cutting board

    Traditional Al pastor utilizes marinated boneless pork shoulder and once it is roasted, it is thinly sliced right off the trompo onto tortillas. If you can only find bone-in pork shoulder, kindly ask your butcher to remove the bone for you. You can also cut it out yourself at home.

    pork shoulder cut into cubes in a metal bowl

    Since most of us do not have rotating trompo’s at home, I put a spin on the traditional al pastor and made it into delicious grilled skewers. Cut the pork shoulder into 1 ½ inch cubes and set into a large bowl.

    Al pastor Marinade ingredients

    • Boneless pork shoulder
    • Dried guajillo chiles
    • Dried ancho chiles
    • Achiote seasoning or paste
    • Dried oregano
    • Ground cumin
    • Chicken broth
    • Pineapple juice
    • White vinegar
    • Garlic
    • Chipotles in adobo
    • Kosher salt

    What chilies to use for al pastor

    dried guajillo and ancho chiles in a plastic packaging

    The traditional chiles used in al pastor are ancho, guajillo, and Chile de arbol. I found dried chiles at Aldi, you can also check your local grocery store a Mexican grocery, or get them online. I had trouble finding Chile de arbol, so for this recipe I just used guajillo and ancho chiles. 

    Dried chiles are fresh peppers that have had the moisture removed from them. You can rehydrate them to use in sauces/salsas or even grind them up while dry to use as a seasoning.

    What is achiote

    package of achiote seasoning on cutting board

    Achiote, also known as annatto, is an orange-red condiment with a sweet, nutty, and peppery taste. Achiote comes in different forms, most common being powder and paste. For this recipe I used the powder form, but you can also use the paste as a substitute.

    I also found this achiote powder at my local grocery store in the Mexican section, which also had some coriander in it. It may be labeled “annatto” when looking at your local store.

    How-to rehydrate chiles

    dried chile peppers on a cutting board, seeds out, then hot water being poured over them in a pyrex
    • Bring a saucepan of 2 cups of water (or microwave) to a boil.
    • Cut stem off chiles and remove seeds
    • In a pyrex or heat safe container, carefully pour the boiling water over the dried chiles. Allow them to rehydrate for 15 minutes, while you prepare the rest of the marinade.

    How to make al pastor marinade

    al pastor marinade being blended then poured over pork in metal bowl
    • Blend marinade: In a blender add all of the al pastor marinade ingredients: guajillo and ancho chiles, achiote, oregano, cumin, chicken broth, pineapple juice, white vinegar, garlic, chipotles in adobo, and kosher salt. Blend on high until smooth.
    • Pour marinade over the pork in the bowl and use your hands to mix and ensure all of the pork is fully coated in al pastor marinade.
    • Marinate overnight: pork can be tough and benefits from an overnight marinade. The vinegar and pineapple juice enzymes help break down the pork making it very tender once cooked.

    How to grill al pastor kabobs

    al pastor marinated skewers on grill
    • If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 10 minutes. This will keep them from splitting and burning. Place marinated al pastor pork on each skewer.
    • Preheat grill to medium/high heat (400F). Ensure your grill grates are clean/oiled.
    • Once grill is to temperature, place al pastor kebabs over direct heat.
    • Grill turning every few minutes until the internal temperature is 170F (will take about 10-15 minutes depending on the size of the meat pieces). Use a digital thermometer to check for doneness. 

    How to eat al pastor kabobs

    skewered pork al pastor on wooden skewers with char marks from grill on a white oval plate

    Al pastor is traditionally shaved onto a tortilla for a taco. The great thing about these al pastor skewers is you can enjoy them any way you would like. Chop them up for tacos, enjoy them with a side of rice, the world is your oyster. One this is for sure, this al pastor marinated kabob recipe is going to be a grilling favorite!

    Storing

    • Storing cooked al pastor: to store the cooked al pastor kabobs, remove the meat from the skewer and place in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
    • Storing marinade: you can make the marinade in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, re-blend before using. You can also freeze the marinade.
    skewered pork al pastor on wooden skewers with char marks from grill on a white oval plate

    More kabob recipes

    • Jerk chicken skewers
    • Steak skewers with chimichurri
    • Marinated chicken kabobs
    • Grilled shrimp and chorizo skewers

    Made this recipe and loved it? Leave a star rating below!

    skewered pork al pastor on wooden skewers with char marks from grill on a white oval plate

    Al Pastor Kabobs

    These al pastor grilled kabobs brings your favorite flavorful taqueria  meat, into your own home! This al pastor marinade recipe with guajillo and ancho chiles, achiote, pineapple, and delicious spices, gives you the most flavorful and tender pork. Grilled and charred to perfection, these al pastor grilled skewers will be on repeat all summer long!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Pork
    Cuisine: Mexican/American
    Keyword: al pastor, al pastor kabob, al pastor skewer, grilled al pastor
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 12 minutes
    Additional Time: 8 hours
    Total Time: 8 hours 32 minutes
    Servings: 4 -6 servings
    Calories: 554kcal
    Author: Stephanie

    Equipment

    • ThermoPro Digital Meat Thermometer
    • Ninja Professional Countertop Blender 
    • Bamboo Skewers

    Ingredients

    • 3 pounds boneless pork shoulder or butt cut into 1 ½ inch cubes
    • 4 dried guajillo chiles seeds and stem removed
    • 2 dried ancho chiles seeds and stem removed
    • 1 tablespoon achiote seasoning, annato or paste
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1 cup chicken broth
    • 1 cup pineapple juice
    • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
    • 3 cloves garlic
    • 2 chipotles in adobo + 1 tablespoon sauce from can
    • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt

    Instructions

    • Bring a saucepan of 2 cups of water (or microwave) to a boil. Cut stem off chiles and remove seeds. In a pyrex or heat safe container, carefully pour the boiling water over the dried chiles. Allow them to rehydrate for 15 minutes, while you prepare the rest of the marinade.
    • Cut pork shoulder into 1 ½ inch cubes and place in a large bowl.
    • In a blender add all of the al pastor marinade ingredients: guajillo and ancho chiles, achiote, oregano, cumin, chicken broth, pineapple juice, white vinegar, garlic, chipotles in adobo, and kosher salt. Blend on high until smooth.
    • Pour marinade over the pork in the bowl and use your hands to mix and ensure all of the pork is fully coated in al pastor marinade. Cover with plastic wrap, place in refrigerator, and marinate overnight.
    • If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 10 minutes. This will keep them from splitting and burning. Place marinated al pastor pork on each skewer.
    • Preheat grill to medium/high heat (400F). Ensure your grill grates are clean/oiled.
    • Once grill is to temperature, place al pastor kebabs over direct heat. Grill turning every few minutes until the internal temperature is 170F (will take about 10-15 minutes depending on the size of the meat pieces). Use a digital thermometer to check for doneness. 
    • Al pastor is traditionally shaved onto a tortilla for a taco. The great thing about these al pastor skewers is you can enjoy them any way you would like. Chop them up for tacos, enjoy them with a side of rice, the world is your oyster. Enjoy!

    Notes

    Pork

    • If you can only find bone-in pork shoulder, kindly ask your butcher to remove the bone for you. You can also cut it out yourself at home.
    • P can be tough and benefits from an overnight marinade. The vinegar and pineapple juice enzymes help break down the pork making it very tender once cooked.

    Dried chiles

    • The traditional chiles used in al pastor are ancho, guajillo, and Chile de arbol.
    • I found dried chiles at Aldi, you can also check your local grocery store a Mexican grocery, or get them online.
    • I had trouble finding Chile de arbol, so for this recipe I just used guajillo and ancho chiles.

    Achiote

    • For this recipe I used the powder form of achiote, but you can also use the paste as a substitute.
    • I also found this achiote powder at my local grocery store in the Mexican section. It may be labeled “annatto” when looking at your local store.

    Storing

    • Storing cooked al pastor: to store the cooked al pastor kabobs, remove the meat from the skewer and place in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
    • Storing marinade: you can make the marinade in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, re-blend before using. You can also freeze the marinade.

    *See in-post for step by step photos and more information on recipe*

    Nutrition

    Calories: 554kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 80g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 205mg | Sodium: 1038mg | Potassium: 1829mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 6175IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 6mg
    Made this recipe?Mention @GirlWithTheIronCast or tag #girlwiththeironcast!
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    300 shares

    Originally Published: May 24, 2022 Post Updated: November 16, 2022 Filed Under: Dairy Free, Dinner, Grilling, Low Carb, Marinades, Sauces, Dressing, Mexican, Pork, Recipes, Summer Tagged With: Chiles, garlic, Oregano, Pineapple

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