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True story, I sometimes get intense taco cravings. Case in point, Mike and I were in Charlottetown, the tiny capital of Prince Edward Island (a food paradise if ever there was one) when the taco craving struck. We were walking downtown, towards the pier, when we spotted a cute little wooden structure, with inviting chains of string lights hung over their outdoor patio. They even had a cute signboard outside that said, “Yesterday I wanted tacos. Now I’m eating tacos. Follow your dreams.” Who am I if not a dream follower?

Thing is, we were on our way to another dream of mine: lobster dinner, PEI style! But, the siren song of tacos called and somehow we ended up eating tacos, in PEI, at a place that probably has no right to make tacos, let alone sell them in a specialized store. Spoiler alert: they were bad. We ended up eating a lobster dinner afterwards, to drown our sorrows. The lobster dinner was amazing. So, lesson learned, don’t always give into your taco cravings. And…also, maybe don’t always follow your dreams?!

But, if you are dreaming of tacos, I have just the thing for you: these cheesy tacos al pastor! Al pastor tacos are one of my favorites. If I see them, I absolutely have to get them, especially if they’re from a truck, on a vertical spit, with a roasted pineapple on top. Sweet, smokey, savory, and so good! Al pastor is kind of easy to make at home, if you’re not set on having an absolutely authentic experience. I don’t know too many people who have a vertical spit grill at home (I really do want one though!) so I adapted the traditional al pastor into an oven, then stove top method. The oven does the low and slow braising, then the stove top crisps up the edges and melts the cheese.

Cheese is something else that isn’t traditional with al pastor, but creamy, nutty, melty Jarlsberg goes with just about everything, so I did it and made cheesy tacos al pastor. I was so excited when I layered on the shredded Jarlsberg, put the lid on and waited for the melting magic to happen. Melty Jarlsberg is so stringy and so good. I just love the way it melts. I served these up taco party style. I absolutely love at the table taco parties where everyone can make their own tacos, to their own tastes. Everything is optional except the cheese, because Jarlsberg :)

Quesatacos Cheesy Tacos Al Pastor Recipe

Sweet and smoky al pastor tacos smothered in Jarlsberg cheese because cheesy al pastor tacos are life!

Serves 4

5 from 4 votes

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Ingredients

Al Pastor

• 1 lb pork butt
• 3.5 oz achiote paste 1 small package
• 7.5 oz chipotle chiles en adobo 1 small can
• 1/4 cup oil

Tacos (as needed)

• oil
• 1-2 cups shredded Jarlsberg cheese
• tortilla shells warmed
• onion diced
• cilantro chopped
• 1 can pineapple chunks
• lime wedges
• hot sauce

Instructions

• In a blender, combine the achiote paste, chilies with the all of the sauce in the can, oil and 3/4 cups water. Blend until smooth. Slice the pork at 1/4 inch intervals, but not all the way through, like you are making a hasselback potato, but with pork. Place the pork in a snug, oven proof dish and add a generous amount of the al pastor marinade all over the pork, being sure to get into all the cuts. Marinate for at least an hour.
  
• Heat the oven to 250°F. Place the pork, uncovered, in the oven and slow roast for 2 hours. Remove, slice thinly and chop into bite size pieces.
  
• Heat up a skillet over medium high heat and add enough oil to coat. When hot, add the cut al pastor meat in an even layer to char up the bottom bits. Let cook, until crispy, about 2-3 minutes. Layer on the shredded cheese and cover with a lid, letting the cheese melt, about 1 minute. Remove the lid and enjoy cheesy al pastor in warmed tortilla shells with onion, cilantro, pineapples, limes and hot sauce. Enjoy!
  

Notes

This will make more sauce than you need. It freezes wonderfully.

Nutrition facts are estimated per taco if you use two street sized tortillas per taco.

Estimated Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Quesatacos Cheesy Tacos Al Pastor Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 213 Calories from Fat 117

% Daily Value*

Fat 13g20%

Saturated Fat 3.8g24%

Cholesterol 34mg11%

Sodium 266mg12%

Potassium 107mg3%

Carbohydrates 10.2g3%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 0.1g0%

Protein 11.3g23%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.