Carne al pastor is a traditional Mexican dish that is typically cooked on a vertical rotisserie. However, if you don’t have access to a rotisserie, you can still enjoy this delicious dish by cooking it on the stove. This method is a great alternative and yields flavorful and tender meat that is sure to satisfy your cravings.
To cook carne al pastor on the stove, you will need a few key ingredients. The star of the show is pork, preferably pork shoulder, that is thinly sliced. In addition to the meat, you will need a marinade made from a combination of dried chilies, pineapple juice, vinegar, and various spices and seasonings.
The first step in preparing carne al pastor on the stove is to marinate the pork. This is an essential step as it helps to infuse the meat with delicious flavors. Combine the dried chilies, pineapple juice, vinegar, and seasonings in a blender and blend until smooth. Place the sliced pork in a container, pour the marinade over it, and let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight for maximum flavor.
Tip: If you’re short on time, you can use a store-bought marinade instead.
Once the pork has marinated, it’s time to cook it. Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium heat and add a small amount of oil. Working in batches, cook the marinated pork slices until they are browned and cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer the cooked pork to a plate and repeat the process with the remaining slices.
Now that the carne al pastor is cooked, it’s time to serve it. Warm up some corn tortillas and serve the sliced pork with the tortillas and your choice of toppings, such as diced onions, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice. The combination of the tender and flavorful pork with the fresh toppings is absolutely irresistible.
So, if you’re craving carne al pastor but don’t have access to a rotisserie, don’t worry. You can still enjoy this delicious Mexican dish by cooking it on the stove. Follow this simple recipe and you’ll have a plate full of tender and flavorful carne al pastor in no time!
What is Carne al Pastor?
Carne al Pastor is a popular Mexican dish that is typically made with marinated pork that is cooked on a vertical spit, similar to shawarma or gyro. The dish is known for its flavorful and tender meat, which is often served in tacos or on its own.
The marinade for Carne al Pastor typically includes a combination of spices such as garlic, cumin, oregano, and achiote, which gives the meat its vibrant red color. Other ingredients in the marinade may include vinegar, citrus juices such as orange or pineapple, and onions.
The meat is traditionally marinated overnight to allow the flavors to fully penetrate the pork. It is then arranged on a vertical spit, known as a trompo, and cooked slowly over an open flame. As the meat cooks, it is often basted with the marinade to keep it moist and add extra flavor.
Once the meat is fully cooked, it is typically thinly sliced and served in warm tortillas with toppings such as fresh cilantro, diced onions, and pineapple. The combination of the tender, flavorful meat with the sweet and tangy toppings creates a delicious and satisfying meal.
Carne al Pastor is a beloved street food in Mexico and can also be found at many Mexican restaurants around the world. It is a dish that is enjoyed by locals and tourists alike, and is a must-try for anyone looking to experience the flavors of Mexican cuisine.
Ingredients for Carne al Pastor:
– 2 pounds of pork shoulder, thinly sliced
– 1 cup of pineapple juice
– 1/4 cup of orange juice
– 1/4 cup of lime juice
– 3 cloves of garlic, minced
– 1 tablespoon of achiote paste
– 2 teaspoons of ground cumin
– 2 teaspoons of dried oregano
– 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
– 1 teaspoon of salt
– 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
– 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves
– 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
– 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
– 1/4 cup of white vinegar
– Corn tortillas, for serving
– Chopped onion, cilantro, and pineapple, for garnish
Marinade:
For the carne al pastor marinade, you will need the following ingredients:
- 3 dried guajillo chiles
- 3 dried ancho chiles
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1/2 cup of orange juice
- 1/4 cup of pineapple juice
- 2 tablespoons of white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of achiote paste
- 1 tablespoon of oregano
- 1 tablespoon of cumin
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon of cloves
Instructions:
1. Start by removing the stems and seeds from the dried chiles, and then soak them in hot water for about 15 minutes.
2. Drain the chiles and transfer them to a blender, along with the garlic, orange juice, pineapple juice, white vinegar, achiote paste, oregano, cumin, salt, black pepper, cinnamon, and cloves.
3. Blend until the marinade becomes smooth and well combined.
4. Place the marinade in a bowl and add the sliced pork, making sure each piece is coated in the marinade.
5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for best results.
Preparing the Meat:
To cook carne al pastor on the stove, you will need to start by preparing the meat. Here are the steps you need to follow:
- Choose the meat: Traditionally, carne al pastor is made with pork. You can use pork shoulder or pork loin for this recipe. Make sure to get boneless meat for ease of preparation.
- Marinate the meat: In a large bowl, combine the following ingredients to create a flavorful marinade:
- 1 cup of pineapple juice
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon of achiote paste
- 1 tablespoon of chipotle chilies in adobo sauce, minced
- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- Cut the meat: Trim any excess fat from the meat and cut it into thin slices. The slices should be about 1/4 inch thick.
- Marinate the meat: Place the meat slices into the marinade, making sure each slice is well coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results. This will allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
Once the meat is marinated, you are ready to move on to the next step of cooking carne al pastor on the stove.
Marinating the Meat:
To prepare the marinade for the carne al pastor, you will need the following ingredients:
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon of chili powder
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/4 cup of pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup of orange juice
- 1/4 cup of lime juice
- 2 tablespoons of white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 2 pounds of pork shoulder, thinly sliced
1. In a blender or food processor, combine the garlic, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, black pepper, pineapple juice, orange juice, lime juice, vinegar, and vegetable oil. Blend until smooth.
2. Place the sliced pork shoulder in a large bowl or a resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the meat, ensuring it is fully coated. Massage the marinade into the meat to ensure even distribution.
3. Cover the bowl or seal the bag and refrigerate the meat for at least 4 hours or overnight. This will allow the flavors to penetrate the meat and tenderize it.
4. After marinating, remove the meat from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking. This will allow the meat to come to room temperature and cook more evenly.
Now that the meat is marinated and ready, you can proceed to cook it on the stove for delicious carne al pastor!
Cooking Carne al Pastor on Stove:
If you don’t have access to a grill or simply prefer to cook indoors, you can still enjoy delicious Carne al Pastor by cooking it on the stove. Follow these steps to make flavorful and tender Carne al Pastor right in your kitchen:
Ingredients:
Ingredients | Amount |
---|---|
Pork shoulder or butt | 2 pounds |
Achiote paste | 3 tablespoons |
Pineapple juice | 1 cup |
White vinegar | 1/4 cup |
Garlic cloves | 4 |
Ground cumin | 1 teaspoon |
Dried oregano | 1 teaspoon |
Salt | 1 teaspoon |
Black pepper | 1/2 teaspoon |
Vegetable oil | 2 tablespoons |
Corn tortillas | For serving |
Instructions:
- Cut the pork shoulder or butt into thin slices, about 1/4 inch thick.
- In a bowl, combine the achiote paste, pineapple juice, white vinegar, garlic cloves, ground cumin, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to make the marinade.
- Place the pork slices in a ziplock bag or a marinating container. Pour the marinade over the pork and ensure that every slice is coated. Seal the bag or container and let the pork marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight for best results.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat.
- Remove the pork slices from the marinade and shake off any excess. Cook the pork slices in the hot skillet for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until they are nicely browned and cooked through.
- Remove the cooked pork slices from the skillet and let them rest for a few minutes before slicing them into smaller pieces.
- Heat the corn tortillas on the stove or in a microwave.
- Serve the sliced Carne al Pastor on warm tortillas and enjoy with your favorite toppings such as chopped onions, cilantro, and salsa.
Now you can enjoy the delicious flavors of Carne al Pastor right from your stove. Serve it as tacos, in burritos, or alongside rice and beans for a complete Mexican feast.
Q&A
What is carne al pastor?
Carne al pastor is a popular Mexican dish made with marinated pork that is grilled and then sliced thinly. It is traditionally cooked on a vertical rotisserie, but you can also make it on the stove.
What ingredients do I need to make carne al pastor on the stove?
To make carne al pastor on the stove, you will need pork shoulder, achiote paste, pineapple juice, garlic, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, and vegetable oil.
How do I marinate the pork for carne al pastor?
To marinate the pork for carne al pastor, mix together the achiote paste, pineapple juice, minced garlic, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Then, coat the pork shoulder in the marinade and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.
How do I cook carne al pastor on the stove?
To cook carne al pastor on the stove, first heat some vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Then, remove the pork from the marinade and sear it on all sides in the hot skillet. Once the pork is seared, reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the skillet. Cook the pork for about 2 hours, turning occasionally, until it is tender and cooked through. Slice the pork thinly and serve it with tortillas, onions, cilantro, and lime.