Traditionally, al pastor is cooked on a vertical spit called a "trompo" and roasted slowly. However, if you want to cook al pastor on a stove, you can use a stovetop griddle or a large skillet to achieve a similar flavor profile. Here's a simplified recipe to cook al pastor on a stove:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound (450g) pork shoulder, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 2 tablespoons achiote paste
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For serving:
- Tortillas
- Chopped onion
- Chopped cilantro
- Salsa of your choice
Instructions:
In a bowl, combine pineapple juice, achiote paste, lime juice, vegetable oil, minced garlic, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well to create a marinade.
Place the thinly sliced pork shoulder in a shallow dish or resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the pork, ensuring all pieces are coated. Marinate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight in the refrigerator.
Heat a stovetop griddle or large skillet over medium-high heat. You may need to do this in batches, depending on the size of your cooking surface.
Remove the pork from the marinade, allowing any excess marinade to drip off. Place the pork slices on the hot griddle or skillet, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side or until the pork is cooked through and slightly charred.
As you cook each batch, transfer the cooked pork to a cutting board and let it rest for a few minutes. Then, slice it into smaller pieces, similar to the size of traditional al pastor.
Serve the al pastor on warm tortillas, topped with chopped onion, cilantro, and salsa of your choice. You can also squeeze some lime juice over the tacos for added freshness.
Enjoy your homemade al pastor tacos cooked on the stove!