Corn tortillas filled with spicy, chipotle-seasoned ground pork, creamy mashed avocado, and bright pineapple salsa. These ground pork Al Pastor tacos are an easy, flavorful twist on a classic Mexican favorite.
Tacos are one of my favorite ways to eat, and these ground pork Al Pastor tacos stand out. Ground pork is cooked with garlic and a blend of Mexican spices, finished with a smoky mix of chipotle sauce, lime, and a splash of vinegar. The savory pork is spooned into charred corn tortillas, topped with mashed avocado and a zesty pineapple salsa for a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy.
The combination of sweet pineapple and smoky chipotle is irresistible, and the avocado adds creamy richness. These tacos are quick to prepare, full of flavor, and ideal for a weeknight dinner when you want something exciting without a lot of fuss.
What Are Tacos Al Pastor?
Al Pastor translates to “shepherd’s style” and refers to the traditional method of cooking pork on a vertical spit, similar to shawarma. In Mexico, it’s typically made with marinated pork shoulder, slow-roasted and thinly sliced for tacos. This recipe keeps the classic flavors but makes the dish more approachable by using ground pork, which shortens cooking time and lowers cost while still delivering bold Al Pastor flavors.
Ingredients For Al Pastor Tacos
- Ground pork: I recommend Duroc ground pork (about 80% lean, 20% fat) for flavor and juiciness.
- Chipotle peppers in adobo: Use 2 tablespoons of the adobo sauce—the sauce adds smoky heat without the whole peppers.
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced.
- White vinegar: 1 tablespoon to add tang.
- Limes: Juice for the salsa, the pork, and serving—have 3–4 large limes on hand.
- Spices: Chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, dried oregano, and salt to season the pork.
- Pineapple chunks: Fresh, precut pineapple works best for the salsa.
- Onion: Red onion is preferred for the salsa, finely diced; white onion works too.
- Jalapeño: Deseed if you prefer milder heat.
- Cilantro: Use leaves and some stems for the best flavor in the salsa.
- Tortillas: Corn tortillas are recommended for authenticity and texture.
How To Make Ground Pork Al Pastor Tacos
1. Make the pineapple salsa: Combine diced pineapple, red onion, jalapeño, and cilantro in a bowl. Squeeze lime juice over the mixture, toss to coat, taste, and adjust lime as needed. Cover and chill while you prepare the pork.
2. Mix the seasonings: Whisk together chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, dried oregano, and salt in a small bowl. For a smokier profile, add 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika to the mix.
3. Cook the ground pork: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with a splash of olive oil. Add the ground pork and minced garlic, breaking the meat up with a spatula as it cooks. Cook until the pork is fully browned and most liquid has evaporated. Reduce heat to medium, stir in the spice mixture, then add the chipotle adobo sauce, lime juice, and white vinegar. Mix until the pork is evenly coated, then remove from heat and transfer to a serving bowl.
4. Assemble and serve: Warm corn tortillas, then fill each with Al Pastor pork, pineapple salsa, and mashed avocado or your preferred toppings. Serve immediately with lime wedges.
Other Topping Ideas
If the tacos are on the spicy side, these toppings help cool and complement the flavors:
- Mashed avocado
- Guacamole
- Sour cream
- Cotija cheese
- Shredded cabbage
- Shredded lettuce
- Extra lime wedges
FAQ’s
- Can I use a different ground meat? Yes. Ground chicken or turkey work well if you prefer a leaner option.
- Can I use canned pineapple? You can, but fresh pineapple offers brighter, fresher flavor. Precut fresh pineapple from the produce section saves prep time.
- Where to find ground pork? Look in the meat section near other packaged pork cuts like chops and loins.
- Where to find chipotle in adobo? Check the Mexican or international aisle with canned chiles and sauces.
Why you’ll love these Al Pastor tacos
- Big flavor: Smoky chipotle, tangy lime and vinegar, and a bright pineapple salsa create a delicious contrast. Avocado adds creamy balance.
- Quick weeknight meal: Prepare the salsa, cook the pork, assemble, and serve—done in about 20 minutes.
- Budget-friendly: Ground pork is economical and pairs well with pantry spices and affordable produce.
- Simpler than traditional Al Pastor: Using ground pork replaces the long spit-roasting method without sacrificing the signature flavors.
More taco recipes you might like:
- Crispy Chicken Carnitas Tacos with Avocado Cilantro Lime Sauce
- Crispy Chipotle Shredded Beef Tacos
- Easy Taco Cups
- Chipotle Lime Shrimp Tacos with Chipotle Lime Sauce
Made one of these recipes? Tag my Instagram @kalefornia_kravings and leave a review in the comments — I love seeing what you create!
Ground Pork Al Pastor Tacos with Pineapple Salsa
Ingredients
For the tacos:
- 1 lb. ground pork
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1½ tsp dried oregano
- 1½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 Tbsp chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (only use the sauce – not the peppers)
- 2 Tbsp lime juice
- 1 Tbsp white vinegar
- Corn tortillas
- Avocado, mashed (optional)
- Cotija cheese, crumbled (optional)
- Shredded lettuce or cabbage (optional)
For the pineapple salsa:
- 1½ cups pineapple chunks, diced
- ⅓ cup red onion, diced
- 1 jalapeño, deseeded & finely chopped
- ¼ cup cilantro, chopped (or to taste)
- ½-1 lime, juiced
Instructions
To make the pineapple salsa:
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Add the diced pineapple, onion, jalapeño, and cilantro to a bowl. Squeeze lime over the top, toss until coated, taste, and adjust lime if needed. Cover and refrigerate while you prepare the tacos.
To make the pork tacos:
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Combine chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, dried oregano, and salt in a small bowl and set aside.
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Heat a large pan over medium-high heat and add a splash of olive oil once hot.
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Add ground pork and minced garlic, cooking until pork is browned and most liquid has evaporated, breaking up the meat as it cooks.
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Turn heat to medium, stir in the spice mix, then add chipotle sauce, lime juice, and vinegar. Mix to coat the pork, remove from heat, and transfer to a serving bowl.
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Assemble the tacos by filling tortillas with Al Pastor pork, pineapple salsa, mashed avocado or toppings of choice. Serve with lime wedges and enjoy.