Today I’m switching up the norm with these Al Pastor Pulled Pork Sandwiches with the help of King’s Hawaiian. Traditional Al Pastor in Mexican cuisine is cooked on a vertical spit to form thinly sliced pork, then served as Al Pastor Tacos or Al Pastor Nachos. I took some inspiration from my favorite taco nights and modified the key ingredients into an easy recipe for home cooks!
We are going to marinate these bone-in pork shoulders overnight in the classic Al Pastor style marinade. Then we’ll smoke them low and slow until they are falling off the bone.
I also added some BBQ sauce, cured and seared pineapples, and the ever delicious King’s Hawaiian burger buns. Put it all together, and you have an epic dinner!
Sponsored by KING’S HAWAIIAN
Why You’ll Love This Al Pastor Pulled Pork Sandwich
If you have never had an al pastor taco, then you are truly missing out. They are one of my favorite dinner meals because they combine the best of every flavor profile. You have savory, sweet, sour, and more all in one single bite. They also make for the most epic of meals as they are uniquely cooked on a vertical skewer next to the fire.
So why did I want to switch it up with this Al Pastor Pulled Pork Sandwich? The answer is: when you combine three amazing things together, you get something triple amazing!
The first thing is the al pastor flavor, because like I said above, it is delicious in every way. The second is the tender pork. Pulled pork is one of the staple pieces of barbecue cuisine. It is succulent and savory, and when done right, it can be one of the most tender foods you ever consume.
However, it takes 8-10 hours in order to cook, and these Al Pastor Pulled Pork Sandwiches are no different. The cooking process is pretty straightforward though, so don’t let it scare you.
The last benefit is that this recipe utilizes the King’s Hawaiian Burger Buns instead of corn tortillas. These rolls are out-of-this-world delicious. They are the hint of sweetness that the pulled pork sandwich needs for balanced flavor.
The fun thing is the use of pineapple juice in the bread, as well as its use in the marinade and the sweet pineapple slices! Overall, you can only hit the ideal flavor when you have all three of these amazing things working together.
Pineapple Pros
Now, let us not forget that there are a few more ingredients that make this sandwich the best homemade Al Pastor recipe available! Curing some pineapples overnight with sugar, salt, and cinnamon helps to add a nice, sweet, fruity flavor onto the sandwich the next day.
These pineapples really make the other pineapple flavor shine bright on this rich sandwich. Finally, you need to add some of your favorite BBQ sauce on top. I prefer a spicy sauce, as it helps to balance all the sweet and savory flavors you have going on the sandwich.
In the end, this Al Pastor Pulled Pork Sandwich is a game-changer and a crowd pleaser. This recipe can easily serve 8-10 people during your weekend events. Just make sure to grab some of those King’s Hawaiian Burger Buns! They make all the difference.
For more with pineapple, check out my Pineapple Sriracha Shrimp Bowls, Sweet Pineapple Teriyaki Salmon and Cherry Chipotle Glazed Ham.
How to Make an Al Pastor Pulled Pork Sandwich
We are going to marinate these bone-in pork shoulders overnight in the classic Al Pastor style marinade, then smoke them low and slow until they are falling apart tender.
For more with Al Pastor flavoring, check out Shrimp “Al Pastor” Tacos, American Lamb Tacos Al Pastor and Salmon Al Pastor Tacos.
Ingredients for Al Pastor Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Pork:
- 2 Bone In Pork Shoulders
- 1 pack of KING’S HAWAIIAN Original Sweet Hamburger Buns
- 1.5 tbsp of melted Butter for buns
- 1.5 cups of your Favorite BBQ Sauce
Al Pastor Marinade:
- 1 cup of Fresh Pineapple cubed
- 6-8 Garlic Cloves
- 1/2 of a White Onion
- 1/4 cup of Pineapple Juice
- 1/4 cup of White Vinegar
- 2 tbsp of Chipotle in Adobo
- 1.5 tbsp of Achiote Paste
- 1.5 tbsp of Dried Oregano
- 1 tbsp of Ground Cumin
- 2 tsp of Ground Cinnamon
- 2 tsp of Black Peppers
- 2 tsp of Kosher Salt
- 3 Limes juiced
Spritz:
- 1/2 cup of Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1/4 cup of Pineapple Juice
- 2 tsp of Hot Sauce
Pineapples + Cure:
- 1 Pineapple sliced
- 1/4 cup of Brown Sugar
- 1 tbsp of Kosher Salt
- 2 tsp of Cinnamon
Step-By-Step Instructions for Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Begin by scoring your bone-in pork shoulders with a sharp knife on the fat cap side. Then, grab a blender and add all the ingredients for the Al Pastor Marinade into it. Blend until smooth. Add your pork to a food safe container, cover it in the marinade and then cover the container. Place the pork into the fridge for at least 4 hours but ideally overnight.
In a bag, add your pineapples with the cure ingredients. You’re also going to place these into the fridge for at least 4 hours, but ideally overnight.
Smoking Time
Preheat your smoker to medium heat (275F) for indirect cooking. Add some hickory wood for added smoky flavor if desired.
Pull your marinated meat out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking to bring it to room temperature. Add the pork to the smoker and smoke until it reaches 165F internal (about 4-5 hours). After 2 hours of smoking, start to spritz the marinated pork every 30 minutes.
Once the pork has reached 165F, pull it off the smoker and wrap in butcher paper or aluminum foil. Place it back onto the smoker and cook until it reaches 203F internal (about 4-6 hours). Once the pork al pastor is done, pull it off and let it rest in an unheated oven for 30-60 minutes.
While the pork rests, warm up your BBQ sauce and sear each cured pineapple for 30-45 seconds per side over high heat until well caramelized. Lightly butter your Hawaiian Burger Buns and gently toast them over the fire for 15-20 seconds.
Finally, it’s time to create your BBQ pulled pork sandwich! Pull your cooked pork apart and begin building your sandwich. Start with your Hawaiian Burger Bun, grilled pineapple, handful of shredded pork, and top with BBQ Sauce. Enjoy!
What to Serve with Al Pastor Pulled Pork Sandwiches
As you know, this recipe is perfected by including pineapple juice in the buns and caramelized pineapple on the sandwiches. If you’re a true pineapple connoisseur, then bring it in on the side as well. Try some pineapple salsa with lime chips plus this pulled pork sandwich recipe and your taste buds will sing!
For more delicious recipes, check out my new grilling cookbook Flavor X Fire, or my first cookbook Food X Fire!
Needing more spice in your life? My spice line can help with that. Check them out here.
Al Pastor Pulled Pork Sandwich
Ingredients
Pork:
- 2 Bone In Pork Shoulders
- 1 pack of KING’S HAWAIIAN Original Sweet Hamburger Buns
- 1.5 tbsp of melted Butter for buns
- 1.5 cups of your Favorite BBQ Sauce
Al Pastor Marinade:
- 1 cup of Pineapples cubed
- 6-8 Garlic Cloves
- 1/2 of a White Onion
- 1/4 cup of Pineapple Juice
- 1/4 cup of White Vinegar
- 2 tbsp of Chipotle in Adobo
- 1.5 tbsp of Achiote Paste
- 1.5 tbsp of Dried Oregano
- 1 tbsp of Ground Cumin
- 2 tsp of Ground Cinnamon
- 2 tsp of Black Peppers
- 2 tsp of Kosher Salt
- 3 Limes juiced
Spritz:
- 1/2 cup of Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1/4 cup of Pineapple Juice
- 2 tsp of Hot Sauce
Pineapples + Cure:
- 1 Pineapple sliced
- 1/4 cup of Brown Sugar
- 1 tbsp of Kosher Salt
- 2 tsp of Cinnamon
Instructions
Marinate the pork
- Begin by scoring your bone in pork shoulders on the fat cap side. In a blender, add all the ingredients for the Al Pastor Marinade.
- Blend until smooth. Add your pork to a food safe container, cover in the marinade and then cover the container.
- Place the pork into the fridge for at least 4 hours but ideally overnight.
Cure the Pineapple
- In a bag, add your pineapples with the cure ingredients. Place them into the fridge for at least 4 hours but ideally overnight.
Prep the Smoker
- Preheat your smoker to 275F for indirect cooking.
- Add some hickory wood for added flavor if desired.
Smoke the pork
- Pull your pork out 30 minutes before cooking to bring to room temperature.
- Add the pork to the smoker and smoke until it reaches 165F internal (about 4-5 hours).
- After 2 hours of smoking, spritz the pork every 30 minutes.
Wrap the pork
- Once the pork has reached 165F, pull it off the smoker and wrap in butcher paper or aluminum foil. Place it back onto the smoker and cook until it reaches 203F internal (about 4-6 hours).
- Once the pork is done, pull it off and let rest in an unheated oven for 30-60 minutes.
Sear the Pineapple
- While the pork rests, warm up your BBQ sauce and sear each cured pineapple for 30-45 seconds per side over high heat until well caramelized.
- Lightly butter your Hawaiian Burger Buns and gently sear over the fire for 15-20 seconds.
Make and serve the pulled pork sandwiches
- Finally, pull your pork apart and begin building your sandwich. Start with your Hawaiian Burger Bun, caramelized pineapple, handful of pulled pork and top with BBQ Sauce. Enjoy!
This sounds great! I would love to make all your smoker recipes unfortunately I do not have a smoker.. until I purchase one do you recommend cooking these another way that will come out similar as a smoker?
Any feedback would be appreciated 😃
Use a pressure cooker if you don’t have a smoker.
I cut my pork shoulder into 4 smaller chunks of meat. Season, wrap in saran wrap, then leave over night in the frig. The next day, I’ll sear the chunks of pork, then put into a pressure cooker on top of a diced red onion. Pour a combined (1) cup of Claude’s Fajita Marinade and liquid smoke onto the pork and cook in pressure cooker for (2) hours.
Once done, pull apart and enjoy.