Jalisco Pork - Carne Adobado Recipe

"Simple to make, and quite delicious, marinated in an Spanish-influenced adobo sauce. Nicely sliced up and served in a tortilla, it's a nice change from a steak taco. This recipe comes from Sunset magazine, if I remember right."

Step by Step Method

Step 1

Pound pork evenly to 1/4-inch thickness (between plastic wrap is good).

Step 2

Blend paprika, chili powder, vinegar, garlic, cumin, oregano, and salt, and rub over all sides of pork.

Step 3

Rest meat for at least one hour, refrigerated.

Step 4

Cut pork into 3-4 serving pieces.

Step 5

Pan-fry meat in the oil on both sides or cook on the grill, until cooked to your liking.

Step 6

Drain meat and season with additional salt (if desired) and lime.

Step 7

Serve on warm tortillas with salsa, guacamole, and sliced fresh chiles (if desired).

Editorial Notes

The ingredient tips, suggestions, variations, facts, questions and answers below are not edits to the original author's recipe. They are not meant to imply any change would improve the recipe. They're offered for convenience, alternative ideas, and points of interest. If you have any comments about them, please post in the Help & Ideas forum.

Tips for selecting ingredients

For a milder flavor, use a milder chile powder instead of chili powder.
If you don't have red wine vinegar, you can use white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar instead.

Ingredient substitutions

For the pork tenderloin, substitute chicken breasts for a leaner option. The benefit of this substitution is that it is lower in fat and calories, making it a healthier option.
For the olive oil, substitute avocado oil for a heart-healthy option. The benefit of this substitution is that avocado oil is high in monounsaturated fats, which can help to reduce cholesterol levels and improve heart health.

Variations

Jalisco Pork - Carne Adobado with Orange Juice Marinate the pork tenderloin in a mixture of the paprika, chili powder, orange juice, garlic, cumin, oregano, and salt for at least one hour. Pan-fry the pork in the oil on both sides or cook on the grill until cooked to your liking. Drain the meat and season with additional salt (if desired) and lime juice. Serve on warm tortillas with salsa, guacamole, and sliced fresh chiles (if desired).

Jalisco Pork - Carne Adobado with Pineapple Juice Marinate the pork tenderloin in a mixture of the paprika, chili powder, pineapple juice, garlic, cumin, oregano, and salt for at least one hour. Pan-fry the pork in the oil on both sides or cook on the grill until cooked to your liking. Drain the meat and season with additional salt (if desired) and lime juice. Serve on warm tortillas with salsa, guacamole, and sliced fresh chiles (if desired).

Serve with

Mexican Rice - A flavorful accompaniment to the Jalisco Pork. This Mexican-style rice is cooked with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices for an extra kick. It is the perfect side dish to compliment the flavors of the pork and tortillas.

Pico de Gallo: Pico de Gallo is a fresh salsa made with tomatoes, onions, cilantro, lime juice, and jalapeño peppers. It adds a bright, fresh flavor and a bit of heat to the Jalisco Pork and Mexican Rice. It is a great way to bring all the flavors together in one dish.