There are few things as delicious as Al Pastor.
The pork is marinated in achiote and pineapple, then grilled to perfection.
But what do you do if you have leftovers?
Here are some quick ideas of mine for using up that extra Al Pastor.
Let’s check them out.
Freeze the meat for later use
Freezing the meat is the quickest way to save it for later.
Make sure you keep the extra pineapple juice to add to your marinade when you want to cook up the pork again.
Your leftover will last around a month if you keep it frozen.
Make tacos with the leftovers for dinner
Making some tacos from your leftover is a great way to use up those delicious meat cubes.
Warm the tortillas for a couple of seconds in the microwave, then stuff them with your Al Pastor and any other taco fillings you want.
Add some lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and sour cream – dinner is served.
Make enchiladas
Make an enchilada casserole with the leftovers.
Cut up some flour tortillas and put them on the bottom of a baking dish, then top with leftover Al Pastor pieces.
Next add your enchilada sauce, cheese, salsa fresca (fresh salsa), and jalapenos (optional).
Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
Make a Mexican pizza
Kids love pizza, so why not serve them a “Mexican” version? Spread refried beans on a tortilla and top with the leftover pieces.
Sprinkle with cheese and add some jalapeno slices for heat.
Bake at 375 degrees until the cheese is melted – dinner will be ready in no time.
Add to a pork and beans recipe
Cook up a pot of your favorite pork and beans recipe, then add the leftover pieces.
This is a great way to use up the leftovers from a big party where you needed lots of Al Pastor meat cubes.
Just stir them in with the other ingredients and you’ll be in for a treat.
Turn it into a soup or stew
Spice up your favorite soup or stew recipe with the leftover Al Pastor.
Or, cook up a pot of your favorite soup, add the leftover pieces to it, and serve.
Either way, you’ll be sure to enjoy the extra meat added in this unique way.
To do this, just cut the meat into cubes and fry with some vegetables or your favorite spices.
You can also add it to a chili recipe, just like you would do with ground beef.
Make Guisada
Guisada is a popular dish in Mexico that is best served with tortillas so you can make tacos with the leftovers.
All you need is to simmer some leftovers in a small amount of water, then add chopped vegetables like bell pepper, onion, and tomato.
Once the meat has browned and cooked thoroughly, you’re ready to make your tacos.
Serve it on top of nachos
Serving up nachos with leftover Al Pastor is a delicious (and unique) way to use up the meat.
Just cut up some tortilla chips and top them off with your favorite cheese, then add the Al Pastor pieces on top.
Microwave for 1 minute or until the cheese has melted – enjoy.
Mix it with rice and beans
To do this, you’ll first need to cook up a pot of rice and beans.
Once it’s done, add the leftover pieces.
Stir, mix it together, and your dinner is served.
Make a chalupa
Make a chalupa with leftover Al Pastor by simply frying up some flour tortillas in oil until they’re crispy.
Once the tortillas are done, cut them into small triangles and fry them until golden brown.
Next, top your chalupa with the leftover pieces, lettuce, cheese, sour cream, avocado slices, chopped tomatoes – you can add any other taco toppings you want.
Use it to top off your favorite pizza recipe
Turn your leftover Al Pastor into a pizza topping by simply adding it to the end of your homemade pizza recipe.
You’ll be sure to enjoy this creative and unique way of serving up your leftovers – bonus points if you make the pizza dough from scratch.
What is the difference between Al Pastor and other pork dishes?
The biggest difference between Al Pastor and other pork dishes is that it has a certain exotic, southwestern flavor.
The Mexican version of the dish often includes pineapple as part of the recipe, but traditional Hawaiian versions don’t include it.
Al Pastor meat cubes are also much larger than your regular ground pork or beef taco fillings – they’re usually bigger in size to make them easier to handle and eat.
What are the best ways to cook Al Pastor?
There are a number of different ways you can cook Al Pastor meat cubes, but the most common ways include:
– Grilling
– Oven baking
Grilling is a popular method because it gives the meat a smoky flavor that enhances its bold taste.
Oven baking is a great technique for beginners to learn – simply place the meat cubes on a baking dish and cook for around 40 minutes. (source)
Can you freeze Al Pastor?
Yes, you can freeze Al Pastor’s meat cubes after cooking them.
This is a great way to save leftovers in bulk so you don’t run out for months at a time.
Just place the leftover pieces in an airtight freezer bag and store them in your freezer.
When it’s time to cook again, simply defrost the meat cubes in your refrigerator overnight and use them in one of our above recipes. (source)
How long will leftover Al Pastor last in the fridge?
It should last for around 3 to 4 days in your refrigerator.
This is the perfect amount of time to use up leftover meat cubes if you don’t plan on eating them within a few days after purchasing them from your local grocery store or butcher.
It’s important not to eat the cooked pieces after the first 2 days, as this could lead to foodborne illness.
Is it safe to eat raw pork?
No, it’s very important not to eat raw pork if you’re pregnant or have a compromised immune system (for example, if you’re undergoing chemotherapy).
Pork is one of the most common carriers of toxoplasmosis due to the parasite that causes it.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that consuming raw or undercooked pork can lead to foodborne illness.
For example, if you eat raw or undercooked pork chops, you have an increased risk of contracting Trichinella spiralis.
What is the best way to reheat my leftover Al Pastor?
There are a few different ways to reheat it, but the most common methods include:
– Grilling
– Microwaving
– Oven baking
Grilling is a popular method for this dish because it gives the meat a smoky flavor that enhances its bold taste.
You can also microwave or bake the meat if you don’t have access to a grill.
How long will it take to reheat Al Pastor?
It shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes to reheat it.
If you choose to microwave or oven bake, then simply follow the instructions that accompany your particular appliance for the best results.
Is Al Pastor healthy for you?
Al Pastor is a healthier version of other pork dishes and it’s actually lower in calories, fat, and cholesterol than many other types of meat you could eat.
Pork has around 145 calories per serving which is much less than beef (258 calories) or chicken (172 calories).
Pork also contains a high percentage of protein people need to stay healthy, as well as iron and important vitamins.
It’s also low in saturated fat and high in niacin, vitamin B12, and phosphorous which is excellent news for those who are at risk for heart disease.
Al Pastor is one of the most flavorful pork dishes you can enjoy if you’re watching your weight – it has everything you love about eating pork but with fewer calories, fat and cholesterol.
Al Pastor is also loaded with flavor – it has a wonderfully smoky flavor that makes it one of the most popular Spanish dishes among US residents. (source)
Can you use frozen tortillas to make a chalupa with leftover Al Pastor?
Yes, you can use defrosted frozen tortillas to make chalupas with the leftover cubes.
To assemble your chalupa, simply layout the warm tortilla and add a healthy amount of cabbage over top.
Next, add chopped onions and sliced green chili peppers (optional) for added flavor.
Lastly, add your cooked Al Pastor meat cubes and enjoy.
Conclusion
There are endless possibilities for what you can do with leftover Al Pastor, so don’t feel limited by the ideas we’ve shared here.
Be creative and experiment – after all, that’s how delicious recipes are born.
We hope you enjoy these dishes and find a way to use up all of your leftover Al Pastor meat cubes.