Al pastor meat is made from boneless pork shoulder. It is marinated in a distinctive adobo mixture that includes achiote paste, dried chiles, garlic, citrus juices (often including pineapple), and various spices, which give it its characteristic red-orange color and complex flavor profile combining savory, tangy, and sweet notes
. The cooking method for al pastor is inspired by Lebanese shawarma, involving spit-grilling the marinated pork on a vertical rotisserie called a trompo. Pineapple is often placed on top of the meat stack, basting the pork as it cooks and adding a sweet contrast to the savory meat. The pork is thinly sliced off the rotating spit to serve, usually in tacos with toppings like onions and cilantro
. In summary, al pastor is a Mexican preparation of pork shoulder, marinated and cooked on a vertical spit, blending Middle Eastern cooking techniques with Mexican flavors.
