Vegan Al Pastor

Vegan Al Pastor is now getting on the menu of every Mexican restaurant. It’s a plant-based version, and is made with ingredients like jackfruit or tofu. But does this delicious alternative offer the same sweet and spicy flavors and can you cook it at home?

Here, you’ll find the answers and a lot more. So, keep reading!

What Is a Vegan Al Pastor? (All the Details)

Vegan Al Pastor is the plant-based version of the Mexican dish. Chefs call it a healthier alternative because it does not contain harmful fats. The best part? The vegan version tastes more or less the same. In fact, it is so tasty that even non-vegans are getting hooked.

So, if you’re a vegan, I want to say that it’s a great way to enjoy the bold flavors of Mexican cuisine while sticking to a plant-based diet. On top of this, note that veggie Al Pastor is packed with nutritional benefits. It’s a great source of:

• Protein
• Fiber
• Enzymes
• Vitamins.

But what is the vegan al pastor meat? It is made entirely with plant-based ingredients. Traditional Al Pastor, on the other hand, is cooked with pork, pineapple, chilies, and some other spices.

see also Chipotle chicken Al Pastor

What Is a Vegan Al Pastor Made Of? (Complete Details)

Veggie Al Pastor is made from plant-based ingredients like jackfruit, soy curls, or cauliflower. These ingredients are marinated in a sweet and spicy sauce. This sauce is made with pineapple, achiote paste, chilies, and spices so that the dish tastes like the traditional one.

Check out the table on popular vegan Al Pastor ingredients:

Plant-Based Protein	Description	Texture
Seitan	High-protein wheat gluten	Chewy, dense
Tofu	Soybean curd	Soft, can be firm or extra firm depending on typ
Jackfruit	Fibrous fruit, mimics pulled pork	Stringy, tender
Tempeh	Fermented soybean cake	Firm, slightly crumbly
Soy Curls	Dehydrated soy protein	Chewy, similar to chicken strips
Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP)	Dehydrated soy product	Meaty, slightly chewy
Mushrooms	Earthy flavor	Meaty, slightly chewy when cooked

Vegan Al Pastor Jackfruit

Jackfruit Al Pastor is a popular variation where you use jackfruit as the main ingredient. The reason chefs choose it is that it has a meaty texture that absorbs the marinade well. I also consider it a fantastic substitute for pork.

To make jackfruit al pastor, you should first mix just pineapple juice, chilies, and spices. Then, marinate the jackfruit and cook it until it’s tender and flavorful. That’s it. Even the meat-lovers have told me that they love this veggie recipe.

Vegan Al Pastor Soy Curls

Soy curls are another great choice for plant-based Al Pastor. These are made from whole soybeans and have a texture similar to meat.

To prepare soy curls al pastor, do this:

• You should first rehydrate the soy curls in water. 
• Then, marinate them in the traditional Al Pastor sauce. 
• Once they’ve soaked up all the flavors, you cook them until they’re slightly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Cauliflower Al Pastor Vegan

In my experience, Cauliflower works wonderfully in Veggie Al Pastor. However, you should chop it into small florets first. Then, do these two steps:

• Marinate the chopped cauliflower in the Al Pastor sauce. 
• After this, roast it in the oven. It’s important because it brings out the cauliflower’s natural sweetness.

And remember this, Cauliflower Al Pastor is low in calories, so it is a healthy choice for any meal.

Vegan Butternut Squash Al Pastor Tacos

When people ask me, “What is dinner or cena al pastor vegan meat,” my answer is butternut squash al pastor tacos. It’s because Butternut squash is naturally sweet and pairs perfectly with the spicy marinade.

So, if you’re looking for a satisfying dinner or “cena al pastor,” then go for this one. 

With Mushroom

Using mushrooms in Plant-based Al Pastor is an excellent choice. The reason is that mushrooms have a meaty texture and can soak up the marinade beautifully. Furthermore, they become tender and flavorful after you cook them. My top picks are portobello and shiitake.

With Tofu

Tofu is a blessing for vegans. Luckily, you can also use it to make plant-based Al Pastor. I highly recommend it because you can cook it in many ways. You can follow any recipe and tofu will absorb the marinade well every time.

3 Best Recipes For Vegan Al Pastor To Try At Home

The best recipes you should follow when you’re cooking veggie Al Pastor are:

• Pineapple-Tofu
• Salad
• Jackfruit Tacos

For each, you should make a marinade of spices and ensure you cook well so that you enjoy the taste.

Recipe #01: Vegan Al Pastor Tofu Recipe

I call Pineapple Tofu the authentic al pastor vegan recipe. It’s full of protein and tastes the same as meat. Here’s how to make vegan al pastor:

In step one, you will gather these ingredients:

Ingredient	Quantity
Firm tofu, pressed and cubed	1 block
Pineapple juice	1 cup
Apple cider vinegar	2 tablespoons
Soy sauce	2 tablespoons
Olive oil	1 tablespoon
Garlic, minced	2 cloves
Smoked paprika	1 teaspoon
Ground cumin	1 teaspoon
Chili powder	1 teaspoon
Dried oregano	1 teaspoon
Salt	1/2 teaspoon
Black pepper	1/2 teaspoon
Pineapple chunks (small can)	1 can

Sep Two is all about marinating the Tofu.

• In a bowl, mix the pineapple juice, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, olive oil, garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper (I know, lots of things).
• Then, add the tofu cubes. After this, carefully put the pineapple chunks into the bowl. Here, you should ensure everything gets well-coated with the marinade.
• Next, cover and refrigerate for at least one hour.

Step three is about cooking.

• Add the marinated cubes and chunks to the heated skillet.
• Cook for about 13 to 15 minutes. Here, I also suggest stirring occasionally (until the tofu is golden brown and slightly crispy).

Then, you can finally serve the veggie Al Pastor Tofu in warm tortillas. You can also top it with fresh cilantro, diced onions, cauliflower, and any other topping you like.

Recipe #02: Vegan Al Pastor Salad

This veggie Al Pastor Salad is a fresh and flavorful option. Chefs have written that it’s perfect for a light lunch or dinner. To make it, make sure you have these ingredients:

Ingredient	Quantity
Jackfruit, drained and shredded	1 can
Pineapple juice	1 cup
Apple cider vinegar	2 tablespoons
Soy sauce	2 tablespoons
Olive oil	1 tablespoon
Garlic, minced	2 cloves
Smoked paprika	1 teaspoon
Ground cumin	1 teaspoon
Chili powder	1 teaspoon
Dried oregano	1 teaspoon
Salt and pepper	To taste
Cherry tomatoes, halved	1 cup
Red onion, thinly sliced	1/2
Avocado, sliced	1
Fresh cilantro	For garnish
Lime wedges	For serving

The next step is marinating the Jackfruit.

• In a bowl, combine pineapple juice, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, olive oil, garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
• Next, add the shredded jackfruit to the bowl and mix well to coat.
• Refrigerate the jackfruit for a couple of hours.

Then, take out the marinated jackfruit from the fridge and cook it.

• Carefully put the marinated jackfruit to the heated skillet.
• Cook for about 14 to 15 minutes (until the jackfruit is tender).

Now, add the mixed salad greens, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and avocado in a bowl. On top of it, put the cooked jackfruit. If you want, garnish the salad with fresh cilantro. It will taste like the vegan Al Pastor salad in the Food Court or Costco. In fact, you will get the same nutrients as the Costco Vegan Al Pastor Salad Nutrition.

Many people ask, “Is Costco Al Pastor Salad Vegan?” Yes, the Costco Al Pastor Salad is vegan. It’s made with plant-based ingredients that provide all the delicious flavors of traditional Al Pastor without any animal products. Wondering, “Is Costco al pastor salad dressing vegan?” Here, I suggest checking the ingredients. 

Now, onto the third recipe.

Recipe #03: Vegan Al Pastor Tacos

If you’re ever in tacos al pastor Las Vegas, you will know that vegan tacos are super delicious. Almost every chef loves them whenever they cook it. 

Just for you, I’m now sharing cocina vegan facil tacos al pastor (an easy vegan al pastor tacos recipe).

As usual, you will collect the ingredients first.

Ingredient	Quantity
Jackfruit, drained and shredded	1 can
Pineapple juice	1 cup
Apple cider vinegar	2 tablespoons
Soy sauce	2 tablespoons
Olive oil	1 tablespoon
Garlic, minced	2 cloves
Smoked paprika	1 teaspoon
Ground cumin	1 teaspoon
Chili powder	1 teaspoon
Dried oregano	1 teaspoon
Salt and pepper	To taste
Corn tortillas	Few
Pineapple chunks	1 cup
Red onion, finely chopped	1/2
Fresh cilantro, chopped	Half a cup
Lime wedges	For serving

The second step in cooking Al Pastor will always be marination. First, add pineapple juice, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, olive oil, garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix properly then.

After mixing, add the shredded jackfruit and coat it well. You can then refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

In the third step, cook the Jackfruit on a heater skillet for 15 minutes. If you like pineapples, you can add some chunks and cook for another 5 minutes.

Now, you can finally assemble the Tacos and serve them.

• Fill the corn tortillas with the cooked jackfruit and pineapple mixture.
• Add toppings, like chopped red onion and fresh cilantro.
• Serve with lime wedges.

Ever wondered, “How Many Calories are in Vegan Tacos Al Pastor? Well, it generally contains about 200 calories per taco. Let’s now look at calories in every popular plant-based Al Pastor.

What Are the Calories in Plant-based Al Pastor?

The calories in plant-based Al Pastor can vary, as based on the ingredients used. A typical serving contains around 150-200 calories. The calorie number will go up when you add lots of veggies or meatless products.

Here is a table about the estimated calories for popular home-cooked veggie Al Pastor variations:

Plant-based Al Pastor	Calories (per serving)
Tofu Al Pastor	250-300 calories
Jackfruit Al Pastor	200-250 calories
Tempeh Al Pastor	300-350 calories
Mushroom Al Pastor	150-200 calories
Seitan Al Pastor	250-300 calories

Vegan Al Pastor vs Traditional Al Pastor: A Comparison

Veggie Al Pastor uses plant-based ingredients like jackfruit or tofu, while traditional Al Pastor is made with marinated pork. Both versions share a similar flavor profile, but the nutritional content is different. Here’s a table:

Nutritional Factor	Veggie Al Pastor	Traditional Al Pastor
Calorie Count	150-200 per serving	250-300 per serving
Protein	6-10 grams (tofu/jackfruit)	20-25 grams (pork)
Fats	5-10 grams	15-20 grams
Carbohydrates	20-30 grams	10-15 grams
Fiber	3-5 grams	0-1 grams
Cholesterol	0 mg	50-70 mg
Vitamins & Minerals	Higher in vitamins A, C	Higher in iron and zinc

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Vegan Al Pastor is a delicious and healthy alternative to the traditional dish. Here’s why you should try it:

• It is extremely delicious and tastes just like the traditional one.
• You can make vegan tacos, salad, or any dish you want with it.
• The veggie version is lower in calories and fats, which is why it’s good for health.
• You can use versatile ingredients like jackfruit, tofu, or cauliflower.

So, switch to the vegan dish and enjoy its taste!