What Is Pastor Meat?

Pastor meat, usually known as “al pastor,” is a Mexican style of marinated pork. Thin slices of pork are soaked in a mix of dried chilies, spices, and pineapple, it is together brought on a tall vertical spit and slowly roasted on medium heat. The meat is crispy and juicy, with a long knife as it cooks, often catching a small slice of pineapple from the top.

The dish is derived from Mexico by Lebanese immigrants who brought their shawarma cooking style. Over time, Mexican cooks swapped in pork and local flavors, and the result became one of the country’s best street foods. Today it’s mostly served in tacos, on a small corn tortilla with onion, cilantro, and a little pineapple.

For a restaurant owner, al pastor is a crowd-pleaser, but it takes some time in planning and making. You’ll need either a vertical spit, called a trompo, or a way to get a similar result with a flat-top or oven. The marinade needs time, and the meat has to be prepped ahead, so build that labor into your schedule. Pork shoulder is the usual cut and keeps your food cost reasonable.