Fire up the grill because today I’m showing you how to make the easiest Grilled Al Pastor Tacos with Pork Tenderloin! This recipe requires minimal prep, no long marinade time, and we make our own homemade Al Pastor-inspired BBQ sauce to paint on those Al Pastor skewers.
Homemade Pork Tenderloin Al Pastor
I’m kind of obsessed with pork tenderloin. It cooks quickly, takes on whatever flavors you want to throw at it, and is a relatively easy and inexpensive way to feed your family, even on busy weeknights when you have all kinds of things coming at you.
It isn’t easy to make dinner every night for your family. I don’t care what anyone says. Just the labor of deciding what to make can be overwhelming sometimes amid mountains of housework, homework, sports, bills, and trying to have a few minutes for yourself.
This recipe is fast enough for the busiest weeknight, affordable enough to fit into tight budgets, and tastes incredible. Instead of hitting that expensive “easy button” with take-out, I picked up a fresh, high-quality al pastor rub from Spiva Cooking, the same company that makes our custom line of OWYD rubs.
We’re participating in a friendly contest with other Spiva Cooking fans to see who can come up with the BEST recipe using this flavorful rub, and this is my submission! You can see the Reel here (and follow for more!)
You’ll Going To Love This Recipe Because…
- 30 Minute Meal – No long marinade or complicated cooking process. Just season, grill, and go.
- Everyone Loves It – The rub isn’t too spicy, so even kids will enjoy these easy Al Pastor Kabobs! We like to serve with tortillas, but they are just as good eaten on their own (especially if you are watching your carbs.)
- Budget-Friendly – Pork tenderloin is a great source of lean protein and you can usually find a good sale on it somewhere.
Try our Smoked Al Pastor Tacos!
Pork Tenderloin Al Pastor Shopping List
Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here’s the list of items you’ll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Pork Tenderloin – Buy it when they have a good sale and then freeze any you won’t eat within the week. They are vacuum-packed, so great for freezing.
- Al Pastor Rub – Pick up a jar of the Spiva Al Pastor Rub, and while you’re there, grab some of my OWYD Rubs, too. I use the Smoky SPG on almost everything, and you’ll LOVE our Roasted Chicken and Spicy Pork blends, too!
- Pineapple Chunks & Juice – If you use canned pineapple, you can use the juice from the can in the sauce. If you can find a nice fresh pineapple, pick up a can of pineapple juice to use.
- White Vinegar – Adds a little tang. If you don’t have white vinegar, apple cider vinegar is another option.
- Tomato Sauce – We prefer the Contadina or Hunts brands for tomato sauce, but whatever you have will work!
- Achiote Paste – I have this in my cupboard all the time. It is a flavor bomb, and really comes in handy when you’re making Mexican food at home.
You’ll love these Rump Roast Tacos, too!
How To Make Al Pastor Tacos with Pork Tenderloin
This is just the overview so you can see what you’re actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.
- Preheat – Fire up your grill and preheat to 425°F.
- Season – Cube and season the pork tenderloin. Thread onto skewers with chunks of pineapple.
- Grill – Place the skewers onto the preheated grill. Let cook for 5 minutes before flipping.
- Make Sauce – While the skewers are grilling, whip up the sauce over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. Let it reduce by about half. Paint the sauce on the skewers during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Enjoy – Enjoy with warm, fresh tortillas or on their own with rice and a salad.
Serve with our Cilantro Lime Rice!
Recipe FAQ
This dish is best served immediately after cooking, but you can cube the pork and pineapple, pre-season the meat, and put it all on skewers up to a day in advance if you want to save some time. The sauce can also be prepared in advance.
I like to store the leftovers in the extra sauce that wasn’t eaten with the skewers. It helps keep everything moist.
I do not recommend freezing cooked pork tenderloin. It loses a lot during the thaw and reheat process. You can freeze the uncooked, seasoned skewers, however. Use a vacuum sealer for the best results.
We love this Homemade Guacamole!
More Delicious Pork Tenderloin Recipes
If you love pork tenderloin as much as I do, you need to add these to your recipe rotation! Inventive, delicious, and approachable.
- Sous Vide Korean-Style Pork Tenderloin
- Traeger Pork Tenderloin Sliders
- Creamy Mushroom Pork Tenderloin Medallions
- Traeger Dijon Pork Tenderloin
- Grilled Lemongrass Pork Tenderloin
- Korean Pork Tenderloin
Al Pastor Pork Tenderloin Tacos
What I Use
Ingredients
- 1 pork tenderloin
- 3 tablespoons Al Pastor Rub
- 1 can pineapple chunks
Sauce
- ¾ cup pineapple juice
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Al Pastor rub
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon achiote paste
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to 425°F.
- Cube the pork tenderloin into uniform 1-2″ cubes. Season with three tablespoons of the Al Pastor rub and thread onto kabob skewers, alternating with the pineapple.
- While the grill is preheating and the pork is cooking, make the sauce by mixing all the ingredients and bringing it to a simmer, stirring frequently.
- When the grill is preheated, put the skewers onto the grill and cook for five minutes before flipping.
- After the flip, paint some of the sauce over the skewers.
- Remove from the grill when the internal temp reaches 137-140°F.
- Serve with warmed tortillas and all of your favorite fixings!
Notes
Tips For Success
- Don’t overcook the pork! Tenderloin, especially when chunked, cooks very quickly. Dry pork is the enemy, and a little pink won’t hurt ya!
- Toss your tortillas right on the grill during the last 2 minutes of cook time to easily heat them up without a skillet. Stay away from the microwave when heating tortillas, please.
Nicole Johnson
Tuesday 8th of April 2025
Your whole family is going to love this quick and easy recipe! I can't wait for you to try it!