Air Fryer
Ground Pork
Al Pastor Ground Pork Tacos with Pineapple Salsa
Smoky, savoury ground pork cooked with chipotle adobo sauce, garlic, lime, and warm spices, then layered with homemade guacamole, fresh pineapple salsa, Mexican crema, and jalapeño in warm corn tortillas. These easy tacos deliver all the bold flavours of tacos al pastor in a quick, family-friendly meal.
Prep:
20 minutes
Cook:
12-15 minutes
Serves:
4
Best Cuts:
Cooking Method:
Ingredients
Ground pork
- 1 lb (454 g) ground pork
- 1 Tbsp oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp (30 mL) adobo sauce from chipotle peppers
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) fresh lime juice
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) white vinegar
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp salt
Pineapple Salsa
- ½ cups (250 g) fresh pineapple, diced
- ¼ cup (40 g) red onion, finely diced
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) fresh lime juice
- Pinch of salt
Guacamole
- 2 ripe avocados
- ¼ cup (40 g) finely diced red onion
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) fresh lime juice
- ½ tsp salt
Serving
- 8 small corn tortillas
- ½ cup (125 mL) Mexican crema
- 1 fresh jalapeño, thinly sliced
- Lime wedges
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Heat a large skillet with oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground pork, minced garlic, adobo sauce, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, dried oregano, and salt. Cook for 10–12 minutes, breaking up the pork with a wooden spoon as it cooks, until the pork is browned, fully cooked, and coated in the smoky seasoning. The pork should reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
Step 2
In a separate bowl, mash the avocados with the diced red onion, lime juice, and salt until creamy while still leaving a little texture.
Step 3
While the pork cooks, prepare the pineapple salsa by combining the diced pineapple, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl. Toss gently until evenly combined.
Step 4
Warm the corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 20–30 seconds per side, or until soft and pliable. Keep them wrapped in a clean kitchen towel until ready to assemble.
Step 5
Spread a generous spoonful of guacamole onto each warm tortilla. Top with the seasoned ground pork, followed by the pineapple salsa. Drizzle with Mexican crema and finish with a slice of fresh jalapeño. Garnish with additional cilantro, if desired, and serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.
Cooking Tip:
Ground pork is juicy, flavourful, and perfect for absorbing the smoky al pastor-inspired seasoning. Cooking it in a skillet allows it to brown beautifully while the chipotle adobo sauce caramelizes around the meat for maximum flavour.
Optional Add-Ins
Try mixing in: crumbled Cotija cheese, pickled red onions, shredded cabbage, radish slices, hot sauce, extra chipotle adobo sauce.
