Alambre de Pastor (Pastor Pork with Peppers, Bacon and Melted Cheese)
A sizzling pan of pastor pork, peppers, onion and crisp bacon buried under melted cheese, eaten with warm tortillas.
Made with Corn tortillas from masa harina and Al pastor marinade. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time40 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.04 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Toss the pork strips with your ready made al pastor marinade (see the base recipe). Cover and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- 2
Fry the bacon in a large heavy frying pan over a medium heat for 5 minutes until crisp. Lift out onto a plate, leaving the fat in the pan.
5 min - 3
Turn the heat up to high. Add the oil and the pork and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring now and then, until deeply browned and cooked through with no pink.
7 min - 4
Add the onion and peppers and cook for 5 minutes until just soft and lightly charred. Stir the bacon back in.
5 min - 5
Spread the mixture evenly in the pan, scatter over the cheese and cover with a lid or a baking tray for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
2 min 30 s - 6
Warm the tortillas in a dry pan, and serve the alambre straight from the pan with the tortillas, coriander and lime wedges.
Tips
- Cut the peppers and pork to the same size so every forkful has a bit of everything.
- Use a cast iron pan if you have one. It holds heat and chars well, and it can go straight to the table.
- Oaxaca cheese is traditional. Mozzarella is the easiest UK swap and gives the same stretch.
- Leave out the bacon for a lighter version. The marinade already brings plenty of flavour.
Storing and freezing
Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days, cooled within 1 to 2 hours. Reheat in a hot pan until steaming hot all the way through. Freezing is possible without the cheese for up to 2 months.
Questions
Is alambre a taco?
It is closer to a fajita or a meat and cheese skillet. You scoop it into warm tortillas yourself. Several versions exist, and the pastor one is a favourite in Mexico City.
Can I make it without bacon?
Yes. Add an extra tablespoon of oil to the pan and the dish is just as good. Bacon adds smoke and salt, so taste before adding salt.
Is it gluten free?
Yes, if your bacon and achiote paste are gluten free. Pork, vegetables, cheese and corn tortillas contain no gluten.
More made with corn tortillas from masa harina
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.