Whole30 Taco Al Pastor

Experience a flavor-packed fusion of traditional Mexican cuisine and wholesome eating with this Whole30 Taco Al Pastor recipe. Perfectly marinated pork shoulder bursts with smoky, citrusy spices like chipotle, cumin, and cinnamon, while fresh pineapple adds a touch of natural sweetness and caramelized char. These vibrant tacos are wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves instead of tortillas, making them gluten-free, grain-free, and entirely Whole30-compliant. Topped with finely diced onion, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of zesty lime, this nutritious dish is a guilt-free way to enjoy a taco night classic. Ready in under an hour, this recipe is perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing meal bursting with bold, fresh flavors.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pounds pork shoulder (boneless, sliced into thin strips)
• 1 cup pineapple (fresh, diced into small pieces)
• 8 leaves lettuce leaves (butter or romaine, for wrapping tacos)
• 0.5 cup white onion (finely diced)
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
• 1 whole lime (cut into wedges)
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon chipotle powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.25 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• 2 tablespoons orange juice (freshly squeezed)
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the minced garlic, chipotle powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, cinnamon, lime juice, orange juice, olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper to create the marinade.

Step 2

Add the thinly sliced pork shoulder to the marinade, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight for deeper flavor.

Step 3

Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the marinated pork strips in batches, cooking for 4-5 minutes per side, until cooked through and slightly caramelized. Set cooked pork aside.

Step 4

In the same pan, add the diced pineapple and cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly charred, stirring occasionally.

Step 5

To assemble the tacos, layer each lettuce leaf with cooked pork, a spoonful of charred pineapple, diced white onion, and chopped cilantro.

Step 6

Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the tacos.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1748.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2785.5

Total Fat 211.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 67.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 635.0mg	0%
Sodium 2939.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 68.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.1g	0%
Total Sugars 35.3g
Protein 172.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 361.4mg	0%
Iron 14.9mg	0%
Potassium 3932.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 66.4%

Protein: 24.1%

Carbs: 9.5%