# Tacos al pastor (from Rick Bayless)

Video: [Tacos al Pastor | Rick Bayless Taco Manual](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GS7g2l6t_Ug) by [Rick Bayless](https://www.youtube.com/@rickbayless).
RecipesMD is not affiliated with Rick Bayless. Steps are paraphrased in our own words.
Status: machine-read from the video, not yet checked by a person.

- Serves: not stated
- Total time: not stated
- Ontario estimate*: ~$3.54 per serving, ~$10.61 for ~3 portions (assumed); saves ~$12.46* per serving (78%) vs ordering out (~$16.00*). * Estimate: predicted from the ingredient list: 1 line(s) priced from Ontario averages, the rest filled with typical costs for their type; the video doesn't state how many it serves, so 3 portions were assumed; restaurant comparison is a typical Ontario plate of 3 tacos at ~$16, before delivery fees, tax and tip. Prices: Ontario averages (StatCan 2026-07) + RecipesMD estimates, pro-rated, staples excluded.

## Ingredients

- 5 dried ancho chiles dried ancho chiles
- hot tap water for soaking chiles water
- 8 unpeeled garlic cloves garlic
- 1/4 tsp cumin seeds cumin seeds
- 1/4 tsp black peppercorns black peppercorns
- 1 tsp Mexican oregano Mexican oregano
- 1/2 tsp ground Mexican cinnamon ground Mexican cinnamon
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsp salt, plus extra to taste salt
- 1/2 block (about 1.75 oz) achiote paste achiote paste _(amount estimated)_
- 1 tbsp agave syrup agave syrup
- 1/4 cup olive oil, plus extra for cooking olive oil
- 1/4 fresh pineapple, peeled and sliced fresh pineapple
- 1.5 lb pork shoulder roast pork shoulder roast
- chopped rinsed white onion white onion
- chopped fresh cilantro fresh cilantro
- warm corn tortillas corn tortillas
- salsa for serving chipotle salsa

## Steps

1. [1:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GS7g2l6t_Ug&t=63s) Stem, seed, and tear the ancho chiles into flat pieces. Press them into an ungreased skillet over medium heat for about a minute until fragrant, then submerge them in hot tap water under a small plate to rehydrate.
2. [5:08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GS7g2l6t_Ug&t=308s) Place unpeeled garlic cloves into the dry skillet over medium heat and roast for about 15 minutes, turning occasionally, until soft inside and charred in spots.
3. [5:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GS7g2l6t_Ug&t=359s) Transfer the drained rehydrated chiles into a blender along with about half of the chile soaking liquid and blend until smooth, adding more liquid if needed.
4. [7:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GS7g2l6t_Ug&t=448s) Finely grind the cumin, black peppercorns, and Mexican oregano in a molcajete or spice grinder.
5. [8:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GS7g2l6t_Ug&t=485s) Peel the roasted garlic cloves and add them to the blender with 1 cup of the chile puree, ground spices, cinnamon, vinegar, salt, achiote paste, agave syrup, olive oil, and 1 slice of fresh peeled pineapple. Blend until silky smooth.
6. [13:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GS7g2l6t_Ug&t=807s) Trim and slice the remaining pineapple into 1/2-inch thick slices. Slice the pork shoulder across the grain into thin strips about 1/4 inch thick.
7. [15:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GS7g2l6t_Ug&t=905s) Arrange the sliced pork on a tray and brush or spoon the adobo marinade thoroughly over all surfaces of the meat.
8. [15:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GS7g2l6t_Ug&t=945s) Heat a cast iron skillet or outdoor grill over high heat and grease lightly with oil. Sear the marinated pork strips and pineapple slices in batches until browned and charred on both sides.
9. [17:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GS7g2l6t_Ug&t=1050s) Chop the seared pork strips and grilled pineapple into bite-sized pieces and season the meat with a pinch of salt if needed.
10. [18:14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GS7g2l6t_Ug&t=1094s) Fill warm corn tortillas with chopped pork and pineapple, then garnish with chopped onion, cilantro, and salsa.

## Equipment

- skillet
- cast iron skillet
- spatula
- blender
- molcajete
- baking sheet
- pastry brush
- chef's knife
- cutting board
- outdoor grill
- tongs

## What the video didn't say

- totalMin is not explicitly stated.
- servings count is not explicitly stated.

Source page: https://recipesmd.com/v/rick-bayless-tacos-al-pastor