Tacos de Cordero al Adobo de Guajillo (Guajillo Lamb Tacos)
Sliced lamb marinated in a fruity guajillo adobo, seared until sticky and served in tortillas with pickled red onions.
Made with Pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas) and Guajillo adobo paste and Corn tortillas from masa harina. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time40 min plus marinating
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £2.42 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
Make your guajillo adobo paste first (see the base recipe). Slice the lamb into thin strips about 5 mm thick, trimming off any hard fat.
- 2
Mix 80 g of the paste with the orange juice in a bowl. Add the lamb and turn until coated. Cover and chill for 2 to 8 hours.
- 3
Take the lamb out of the fridge 20 minutes before cooking. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a high heat.
- 4
Cook the lamb in 2 batches for 3 to 4 minutes a batch, turning, until browned and cooked through with no pink. Do not crowd the pan.
4 min - 5
Warm your ready made corn tortillas (see the base recipe) in a dry pan for 20 to 30 seconds a side.
- 6
Pile the lamb into the tortillas, top with pickled red onions, avocado and coriander, and serve with lime wedges.
Tips
- Slice the lamb thinly and cook it fast, as it goes tough if left to cook slowly.
- Add the orange juice to loosen the paste so it coats evenly.
- Throw away any marinade left in the bowl, because it has touched raw meat.
- The pickled onion is key, as it cuts through the rich lamb.
Storing and freezing
Keeps in the fridge for up to 2 days. Cool within 1 to 2 hours and reheat in a hot pan until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I use lamb shoulder?
Yes, but slice it thinly and cook it quickly, or braise cubed shoulder in the adobo for 2 hours and shred it.
How spicy is guajillo adobo?
Guajillo is fruity and mildly hot, so the adobo is more tangy than fiery. Add a salsa taquera at the table for extra heat.
Are these tacos gluten free and dairy free?
Yes. Lamb, adobo, avocado, pickled onions and masa harina tortillas contain no gluten, dairy, egg or nuts.
More made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Chicken Korma Wraps with Pickled Red Onions
DFEFNFBowls de Tofu al Pastor con Arroz Rojo y Piña (Tofu al Pastor Rice Bowls)
DFEFNFBirria de Pollo (Quick Chicken Birria)
DFEFNFTostadas de Cochinita Pibil (Yucatan Pibil Pork Tostadas)
GFDFEFSee every dish made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
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.