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    Home » Mains » Beef

    Ground Beef Tacos, Al Pastor-Style

    Originally Published: May 10, 2018 · Last Updated: Feb 12, 2020 by Ann · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    813 shares
    • 166
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Overhead view of ground beef tacos al pastor with toppings of red onion and avocado
    Ground beef taco al pastor
    Overhead view of ground beef tacos al pastor with toppings of red onion and avocado

    These ground beef tacos are cooked al pastor -style with pineapple juice and fresh pineapple. Grated cheese is folded in at end for a tangy, spicy, cheesy filling. Serve with corn or flour tortillas and all the fixings for an easy weeknight meal!

    Do you have a dish you love but just can't get ever get right when you try to make it at home? I consider myself a pretty competent cook, but every time I've tried to make enchiladas, it's been a disaster.

    Quick disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may make a small commission, at no cost to you. I will never recommend anything I don't personally use and love!

    Al pastor style beef taco with toppings

    The main issue is the tortillas. The corn tortillas I get at my grocery store never seem to be pliable enough to fold around the filling without breaking apart, even when I warm them first!

    By the time I get the pan into the oven it's just pieces of soggy tortilla floating in a puddle of sauce and filling and covered with cheese. Tasty but not exactly picture-perfect.

    Next time, I'll try these tips from Bon Appétit. If you're an enchilada master, please tell me your secrets, I'm all ears!

    Overhead view of a ground beef taco, al pastor style with avocado and chopped red onion on the side

    Anyway, I gave it another shot a couple of weeks ago with a recipe from the new Half-Baked Harvest book. I wish I could say I finally conquered the enchilada, but nope. Through no fault of the recipe, of course, just my bad enchilada juju!

    They were a delicious mess. In fact I loved the filling so much that I decided to adapt it and make it again, but this time I employed the far less problematic vehicle of a taco.

    The filling for these ground beef tacos is "al pastor"-style in that the meat is cooked with pineapple, but made with ground beef rather than pork. It is sweet, spicy and tangy. With lots of grated cheese mixed and melted into it, it is super delicious stuffed into a corn or flour tortilla.

    Collage of process shots for making ground beef tacos al pastor style

    I love Mexican food year-round of course, but I crave it most in the spring. Not just because of Cinqo de Mayo, but because after a long, painful winter, fun festive food served family-style is exactly what feels good to me.

    In the case of these ground beef tacos, it doesn't hurt that they're easy to make and take no time to whip up, so I can be outside enjoying the day as much as possible.

    If you're craving Mexican food as much as we are, here are some more Mexican and Tex-Mex favorites!

    Vegetarian stuffed peppers - Mexican-Style

    Chicken tacos with cilantro-lime slaw

    Chicken tortilla soup

    Chicken quesadillas

    Enjoy xx

    Sound good to you? If you make this recipe, I would love it if you would take a pic and tag me on Instagram @ourhappymess!

    Or pin for later!

    And if you're looking for more easy dinner inspiration, follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. Or subscribe in the sidebar on the right to get every new recipe in your inbox 🙂

     

    Al pastor style beef taco with toppings

    Ground Beef Tacos, al pastor -style

    These ground beef tacos are cooked al pastor -style with pineapple juice and fresh pineapple. Grated cheese is folded in at end for a tangy, spicy, cheesy filling. Serve with corn or flour tortillas and all the fixings for an easy weeknight meal!
    4.88 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 719kcal
    Author: Ann Otis

    Ingredients

    • 1 garlic clove
    • 1 tablespoon chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon paprika
    • 1 chipotle pepper canned in adobo
    • ½ cup pineapple juice
    • 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
    • 1.5 cups fresh pineapple chunks divided
    • 1 lb lean ground beef
    • ½ yellow onion thinly sliced
    • 1 jalapeno seeded and minced
    • kosher salt to taste
    • ¼ cup cilantro chopped
    • 1.5 cups cheddar cheese shredded
    • 1.5 cups monterey jack cheese shredded
    • 12 small corn or flour tortillas warmed

    For serving

    • chopped red onion
    • cilantro
    • avocado
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • In a blender or food processor, place the garlic, chili powder, paprika, chipotle pepper, pineapple juice, vinegar and ½ cup of the pineapple chunks. Puree until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes.
    • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the onion and beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until the meat is no longer pink, about 10 minutes.
    • Bring the heat down to low and add the pineapple sauce, remaining cup of pineapple chunks ( I like to dice these a bit smaller), and jalapeno. Simmer for about 10 minutes until the sauce is reduced and coats the beef. Taste and season with salt if desired.
    • Remove from heat and fold in the shredded cheese and cilantro. Serve with the warmed tortillas and toppings.

    Notes

    Filling adapted from the Half-Baked Harvest Cookbook

    Nutrition

    Calories: 719kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 50g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 152mg | Sodium: 683mg | Potassium: 789mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 1920IU | Vitamin C: 38.2mg | Calcium: 717mg | Iron: 5.1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag it Today!Mention @OurHappyMess or tag #OurHappyMess!
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    813 shares
    • 166

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Dirk

      August 19, 2021 at 8:33 pm

      Whole can of chipotle peppers or just A chipotle pepper from the can?

      Reply
      • Ann

        August 20, 2021 at 8:58 am

        Just one pepper from the can 🙂

        Reply
    2. Melissa Gardea

      August 21, 2019 at 5:03 pm

      This sounds great! How many tacos are in a serving?

      Reply
      • Ann

        August 21, 2019 at 8:07 pm

        Approx three small (6 inch) tacos per serving 🙂

        Reply
    3. Lisa

      May 14, 2018 at 6:34 pm

      I didn't even know what "al pastor" style was until I saw your recipe, and it looks and sounds really good! I'm looking forward to trying it!

      Reply
      • Ann

        May 14, 2018 at 9:27 pm

        I really hope you try it Lisa! The flavors are incredible! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Victoria Berman

      May 13, 2018 at 12:50 pm

      5 stars
      I imagine my enchilada making attempts would be just like yours so I have never even bothered trying! I always stick to tacos instead and love the flavor combo in these!

      Reply
      • Ann

        May 13, 2018 at 4:03 pm

        I appreciate the support Victoria!!

        Reply
    5. Emma

      May 13, 2018 at 12:37 pm

      5 stars
      Omg I'm such a sucker for tacos. These look delicious! Lets have a cinco de mayo party all over again!

      Reply
      • Ann

        May 13, 2018 at 4:04 pm

        I declare the entire month of May Mexican fiesta month!

        Reply
    6. Priya

      May 13, 2018 at 12:25 pm

      5 stars
      yummy! I'm sure the addition of pineapple juice will make it even more delicious! This taco is so flavorful too with all those spices and herbs..

      Reply
      • Ann

        May 13, 2018 at 4:10 pm

        Thank you Priya! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Helena

      May 13, 2018 at 12:05 pm

      5 stars
      I would definitely share with you all the secrets if I were an enchilada master lol But lemme tell ya: your second try is fantastic! The presentation is very nice and I am sure the flavor kicks butt! 🙂

      Reply
      • Ann

        May 13, 2018 at 4:08 pm

        Thank you so much Helena! 🙂

        Reply
    8. Ginny

      May 13, 2018 at 11:54 am

      5 stars
      Love your own seasoning mix for these tacos and the pineapple addition is perfect! My sister's family is going to flip when I share this with her.

      Reply
      • Ann

        May 13, 2018 at 4:09 pm

        Thank you Ginny!! 🙂

        Reply

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    I'm Ann and I believe in balanced eating, homemade foods, and DESSERT. I love to cook, but I can't spend all day in the kitchen anymore, so what you'll mostly find here are simple, family-friendly recipes. I'm really happy you're here!
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