Healthy Al Pastor Tacos

Tacos are definitely one of my favorite food groups, so I love to make different variations on the classics. Al pastor is a traditional Mexican staple with rotisserie meat, pineapple, onions, and spices, but it can be laden with extra fat and calories. I’m all for indulging sometimes, but I also love to put healthy spins on my favorite comfort foods. These healthy al pastor tacos are way healthier, and to make it even better, they are super easy to make in the croc pot so it simmers away while you go about your day.

Pork:

• 1 8oz can of pinapple
• 2 large garlic cloves
• 1 shallot
• 1 large yellow onion
• 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce + 1 tbs adobo sauce
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1 ½ lb pork loin
• I cup diced pinapple

Avocado Cream

• 1 avocado
• 3 tbs Greek yogurt
• Juice of half a lime
• ¼ tsp dried cilantro
• Garlic salt to taste

Start by creating the marinade. Put garlic, shallot, chipotles with adobo sauce, salt, oil, oregano, and pineapple juice in a blender and blend until smooth. Make sure you clean the pork loin so the silver skin is off and you are just left with the pink flesh. Put pork loin in a large zip lock bag and pour marinade over it. Chop up the onion and place in the bag with pork to continue marinating. (I did this the night before to really let the flavors permeate the meat, but you could also do this a few hours ahead of time.

This next part is optional, but I think it adds more flavor. Before putting the pork in the crock pot, brown all sides in a heavy bottomed pan to create some charred flavor. Then put the pork, all the marinade, and the onions in an oiled croc pot. Cook on low for 3-4 hours until meat can be pulled apart. When meat is ready, cut it in half and use 2 forks to shred it right in the crock pot so it combines with the sauce and onions. Next, dice the pineapple and add it to the shredded pork mixture. Let this sit for 10 minutes while you make the avocado cream.

This is so simple, stretches an avocado, and adds a wonderfully rich (but healthy) component to the tacos. Simply combine all of the ingredients in the food processor and pulse until smooth.

How to assemble the tacos: Using warm corn tortillas, grab some of the meat, letting excess sauce drip off so it’s not too wet, then top with shredded lettuce, avocado cream, and cilantro. You’ll get savory, sweet, creamy, and crunchy all in one bite! Enjoy!