Torta de Pastor (Pastor Pork Sandwich with Refried Beans and Avocado)
A crusty roll spread with refried beans and avocado, stuffed with charred pastor pork, pineapple and quick pickled onions.
Made with Pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas) and Refried beans (frijoles refritos) and Al pastor marinade. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time40 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.95 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
Coat the pork in your ready made al pastor marinade (see the base recipe). Cover and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- 2
Heat the oil in a large pan over a high heat and cook the pork in two batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side until charred and cooked through. Sear the pineapple slices for 1 to 2 minutes per side.
8 min - 3
Warm the refried beans in a small pan until steaming hot all the way through, loosening with a splash of water if stiff.
3 min - 4
Split the rolls and toast them cut side down in a dry pan for 1 to 2 minutes until golden. Hollow out a little of the soft crumb if the rolls are very thick.
2 min - 5
Mash the avocados with a pinch of salt and a squeeze of lime if you have it. Spread beans on the bottom half and avocado on the top half of each roll.
- 6
Pile in the pork and pineapple, add cheese, tomato and pickled onions. Close, press firmly, and eat warm.
Tips
- A bolillo roll is traditional. Ciabatta or a crusty white roll is the nearest UK stand in.
- Toast the cut sides. It stops the beans making the bread soggy.
- Hollow out a little crumb so the filling stays in rather than squeezing out the sides.
- Add sliced pickled jalapeños for heat and sharpness.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten straight away. Cooked pork keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days, cooled within 1 to 2 hours. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through before filling.
Questions
What bread should I use?
A bolillo or telera is traditional. In the UK, soft crusty white rolls or ciabatta work well. Choose something sturdy enough to hold the pork and beans.
Is the torta gluten free?
No, because of the bread. Use gluten free rolls and check the label of each ingredient to make it gluten free.
Can I make it with chicken?
Yes. Use skinless chicken thighs sliced thinly. The cooking time is similar, but check it is cooked through with no pink.
More made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Rainbow Hummus Bowls with Quinoa and Pickled Red Onions
VGVDFJerk Prawn and Mango Lettuce Wraps
DFEFNFTurkey Sloppy Joes
NFTacos de Lentejas al Chipotle (Smoky Chipotle Lentil Tacos)
VGVDFSee 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.