Taco al Pastor
Taco al Pastor is a beloved Mexican street food featuring marinated pork that is traditionally cooked on a vertical spit called a 'trompo,' similar to shawarma. The pork is seasoned with a blend of dried chilies, spices, and pineapple, then thinly sliced and served on a small corn tortilla, often topped with cilantro, onion, and a slice of pineapple.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
A typical serving of two tacos al pastor provides a good source of protein from the pork, with a moderate amount of fat from the marination and cooking process. The corn tortilla contributes some complex carbohydrates, and the dish offers key nutrients like iron, B vitamins, and vitamin C from the pineapple, with a rough calorie estimate of 300-400 calories for two tacos.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 250 kcal |
| Protein | 15 g |
| Carbs | 22 g |
| Fat | 12 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 480 mg |
| Potassium | 280 mg |
| Phosphorus | 180 mg |
| Iron | 2.1 mg |
| Zinc | 2.8 mg |
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | 0.4 mg |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 4.5 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.5 mg |
| Vitamin C | 12 mg |
Per 1 taco (approx. 120 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, Taco al Pastor is a fascinating example of culinary fusion, with its cooking technique and name ('shepherd style') brought to Mexico by Lebanese immigrants in the early 20th century, adapted with local ingredients like chilies and pineapple. Nutritionally, the pineapple not only adds a sweet contrast but also contains the enzyme bromelain, which can aid in digesting the pork's proteins.
