
Tostadas de Lomo (Jalisco Pork Loin Tostadas in Adobo)
Jalisco-style tostadas topped with shredded pork loin in a sweet-and-sour red adobo.
About this recipe
Tostadas de lomo are one of Jalisco's most popular antojitos: crispy corn tortilla tostadas topped with shredded pork loin cooked in a thick red adobo of dried chiles, cane vinegar and spices. The Jalisco adobo — similar to the taco de canasta adobo of central Mexico but with more vinegar and herbs — gives the pork a distinctive sweet-and-sour, aromatic flavor. They are accompanied with refried beans, shredded lettuce, sour cream and cotija cheese, making a complete and balanced dish.
History & Origin
Pork loin in adobo has its roots in the meat preservation techniques that the Spanish introduced to Mexico during the colonial era. Vinegar and dried chiles acted as natural preservatives that allowed meat to last several days without refrigeration — a practical necessity in colonial Mexico. In Jalisco, the state's meat culture — the largest pork producer in western Mexico — adapted these techniques to the loin, the noblest cut of pork. Tostadas de lomo became an iconic dish of Guadalajara's fondas and markets, where tostada stalls have for decades served this dish to workers and families looking for a hearty and affordable meal. The Mercado San Juan de Dios and Mercado Libertad (Medrano) are the temples of this antojito in the Pearl of Jalisco.
Estimated cost
$1.59
Total cost
$0.40
Per serving
* Approximate prices based on US supermarkets
Nutritional information per serving
420
Calories
24g
Protein
38g
Carbohydrates
18g
Fat
4g
Fiber
680mg
Sodium
* Approximate values. May vary depending on ingredients used.
Method
- 1
Cook the pork loin in water with garlic, onion, salt and a bay leaf over medium heat for 45 minutes until very tender. Leave to cool slightly and shred. Reserve the stock.
- 2
Prepare the adobo: lightly toast the guajillo and ancho chiles on a griddle. Soak in hot water for 10 minutes. Blend with garlic, onion, vinegar, cumin, oregano, black pepper and one cup of pork stock. Strain.
- 3
Fry the strained adobo in hot oil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the shredded loin and cook for a further 10 minutes until the sauce is well combined with the meat and thickens. Season with salt.
- 4
Warm the tostadas in the oven at 180°C for 5 minutes to ensure they are well crispy, or fry the tortillas in oil until golden.
- 5
Spread a layer of hot refried beans on each tostada. Place a generous portion of the pork in adobo on top.
- 6
Top with shredded lettuce, sour cream, crumbled cotija cheese and hot sauce to taste. Serve immediately.
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Founder, Recetas Mexas
Mexican from Puebla, IT professional and foodie. Author of 1000+ authentic Mexican recipes adapted for home kitchens worldwide. Based in Madrid since 2018.
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