Fish Tacos al Pastor Recipe

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4.5 (1262)

Fish tacos al pastor deliver the beloved flavors of traditional pork al pastor using fresh fish that tastes just as good as the original version. These innovative tacos showcase perfectly seasoned fish enhanced by homemade charred tomatillo salsa that adds smoky depth. The al pastor preparation method creates complex flavors while the fish provides lighter protein, resulting in tacos that honor tradition while offering something fresh.

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These fish tacos al pastor taste as good as the original pork version. I serve them with homemade charred tomatillo sauce and they are to die for.

Prep Time:
30 mins
Cook Time:
59 mins
Additional Time:
45 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs 14 mins
Servings:
6
Yield:
6 servings
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Ingredients

1/2x
1x
2x

Original recipe (1X) yields 6 servings

Mexican Charred Tomatillo Salsa:

  • 2 pounds fresh tomatillos, husks removed

  • 10 dried chile de arbol peppers

  • 2 cloves garlic, unpeeled

  • salt to taste

Fish Tacos al Pastor:

  • 10 guajillo chile peppers – stems, seeds, and veins removed

  • 5 pasilla chile peppers – stems, seeds, and veins removed

  • ¼ cup white vinegar

  • ¼ cup orange juice

  • 1 clove garlic

  • 3 whole cloves

  • 1 pinch ground cumin

  • salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • 2 pounds skinless trout fillets

  • ¼ cup butter

  • 1 large onion, finely chopped, divided

  • 1 cup chopped fresh pineapple

  • 12 corn tortillas

  • 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro

  • 4 limes, cut into wedges for garnish

Directions

  1. Wash tomatillos under cold running water.

  2. Line a heavy cast iron grill pan or griddle with aluminum foil and place over high heat. Arrange tomatillos, chiles de arbol, and 2 cloves garlic in a single layer on top. Grill until chiles are blackened, turning as necessary, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Continue grilling tomatillos and garlic until they are evenly blackened, 8 to 10 minutes more.

  3. Peel garlic and place in a mortar and pestle. Season with salt and pound into a thick paste. Add chiles; pound until smooth. Add as many tomatillos as you can fit in your mortar; pound until chunky. Transfer salsa to a bowl. Repeat with remaining tomatillos, mixing them into the bowl of salsa in batches.

  4. Place guajillo and pasilla chile peppers in a saucepan, cover with water, and cook until softened, about 25 minutes.

  5. Combine softened peppers, vinegar, orange juice, 1 clove garlic, cloves, cumin, salt, and pepper in a blender; blend until smooth. Add some water if sauce is too thick. Strain into a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool, about 5 minutes.

  6. Season trout fillets with pepper and put in a lidded container or a large resealable plastic bag. Cover with cooled sauce and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.

  7. Remove trout fillets from the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes. Remove from sauce and cut into cubes. Reserve marinade.

  8. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat and cook 1/2 the onion until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add trout and reserved sauce; cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until trout is opaque and the sauce has been reduced, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and fold in pineapple.

  9. Warm corn tortillas in a skillet. Divide trout mixture amongst tortillas and top with remaining 1/2 onion and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges and charred tomatillo salsa.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

670 Calories
21g Fat
76g Carbs
42g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 670
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 21g26%
Saturated Fat 8g39%
Cholesterol 101mg34%
Sodium 212mg9%
Total Carbohydrate 76g28%
Dietary Fiber 11g38%
Total Sugars 12g
Protein 42g84%
Vitamin C 70mg78%
Calcium 267mg21%
Iron 3mg19%
Potassium 1368mg29%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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John Davis
John Davis

Hi, I’m John Davis!
Food has always been my favorite way to connect with people, and that’s why I started blogging about it. I love sharing quick, creative recipes that prove cooking at home can be just as exciting as eating out. Whether it’s a speedy weeknight dinner or a fun snack, I enjoy keeping things simple, flavorful, and approachable for everyone. When I’m not experimenting in the kitchen, I’m usually exploring new cuisines or hunting for fresh inspiration at local markets.

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