Al Pastor Seasoning
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My homemade Al Pastor Seasoning is an easy way to bring bold, authentic flavor to Mexican al pastor, right in your own kitchen, no spit needed! Made with a blend of spices and dried chiles, it captures that signature smoky, bold flavor you know and love about al pastor. Use it to season pork, chicken, or even steak for a flavor-packed meal that’s perfect for tacos, bowls, and more!
How this recipe brings the flavor
When it comes to making authentic Mexican recipes at home, over the years I’ve made it easier with my birria seasoning and carne asada seasoning. These are two of the most popular recipes on the blog, and for good reason! They give you all of the flavor you know and love in these restaurant-quality dishes, right in your own kitchen.
Now I’m about to introduce another spice blend that will change the game for making al pastor at home. Traditionally, pork al pastor is seen spinning around on a spit with pineapple on top. I’ve now made it easier to make both pork al pastor tacos and chicken al pastor at home, in the oven, or on a grill.
Use this seasoning as a dry rub, or combine it with 4 other simple ingredients to make an al pastor marinade. This seasoning is perfect for:
- Seasoning chicken for an easy weeknight meal!
- Spicing up pork for a party!
- Marinating steak to toss on the grill!
Using this al pastor seasoning recipe gives you total control over ingredients! You can adjust the spice level, salt, and heat to fit your taste, with no sugar, fillers or preservatives.
Key ingredients and substitution tips
Above I show you all of the ingredients for the recipe to give you a good visual for your shopping list. Below I’ll give you some notes on specific ingredients in the recipe. You can find the full list of ingredients with measurements in the recipe card.
- Dried guajillo chili powder – guajillo chiles are mild to medium in spice. They add a rich, sweet and somewhat fruity flavor to the al pastor seasoning. I had to order this chili powder online, but a good substitute that you can find in most grocery stores is New Mexico chili powder or ancho chili powder. These will usually be sold with other dried chilies on an end cap near the spice aisle or hispanic food section.
- Ground annatto (achiote powder) – this bright red-orange spice is made from the seeds of the achiote tree. It has a mild, earthy flavor with slightly peppery and nutty notes, and it’s popular for its vibrant color. It pairs well with garlic and cumin, and it’s a key ingredient in al pastor seasoning. I ordered this spice on Amazon, but you might also be able to find it in Hispanic markets. If you can’t get your hands on any ground annatto, you can use paprika instead.
- Chipotle chili powder – found on the spice aisle at most grocery stores. This adds a smoky flavor to the seasoning blend, which I highly recommend.
- Mexican oregano – while there is a difference between Mexican oregano and traditional oregano, you can use them interchangeably in this recipe. Mexican oregano is a bit stronger in flavor, but their shared peppery flavor, means that you can use either one and end up with similar flavors.
I like to buy the spices in large bulk containers, either online or at Costco. It saves money and I know I’ll always have them on hand to mix up my favorite homemade seasoning blends.
Ways to use it
To use it as a dry rub, rub two tablespoons of the seasoning on each pound of meat. You can cook the meat on the grill, in the oven, or on the stove.
To use it as a marinade, combine 1/2 cup pineapple juice, 3 tablespoons avocado oil, 2 tablespoons lime juice, and 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar) with 4 tablespoons of the seasoning. Use this to marinate 2 pounds of meat.
Try the seasoning in these recipes for grilled chicken al pastor (pictured above) and pork al pastor. (Recipes coming soon!)
You can even use this al pastor spice blend anytime you’d use taco seasoning. It’s a great way to bring the flavor to the next level on taco night!
Al Pastor Seasoning Blend
Ingredients
- ¼ cup chipotle chili powder
- ¼ cup guajillo chili powder
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons onion powder
- 2 tablespoons ground annatto, or paprika
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container in the pantry for up to 6 months.
Notes
- To add sweetness: add 1 tablespoon brown sugar to the seasoning.
- To add spice: add 1 tablespoon dried arbol chili powder, or cayenne pepper.
- This recipe makes 18 tablespoons of seasoning. I recommend using 2 tablespoons of seasoning per pound of meat.
Nutrition Facts
More homemade seasonings
Stock your pantry with the most popular homemade seasoning recipes on the blog to add flavor to every meal!
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