Best 5 Cuban Lechon Asado Roasted Fresh Ham Recipes

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If you are searching for a flavorful and authentic Cuban dish, look no further than Lechón Asado, also known as roasted fresh ham. This traditional recipe originates from the island of Cuba and has become a staple dish in many Latin American countries. The dish features a succulent and tender pork shoulder marinated in a blend of spices, garlic, and citrus, then slow-roasted until perfection. The result is a savory and golden-brown masterpiece that will tantalize your taste buds. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for a delectable meal, Cuban Lechón Asado will surely impress your family and friends.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CUBAN LECHON ASADO (ROASTED FRESH HAM)



Cuban Lechon Asado (Roasted Fresh Ham) image

This is a great recipe found in Steve Raichlen's cookbook 'Miami Spice'. The pork roast is wonderful. Easy to make. VERY flavourful. Leftovers are great in wraps!

Provided by evelynathens

Categories     Ham

Time 2h15m

Yield 10-12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 (8 lb) fresh ham (pork leg or butt)
1 head garlic, broken into cloves, peeled and minced
1 tablespoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon bay leaf powder
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup fresh sour orange juice (seville) or 1 cup lime juice
1/4 cup dry sherry
2 large onions, thinly sliced

Steps:

  • The day before you plan to serve this dish, trim the excess fat off the pork leg; make shallow slits all over the pork, using the tip of a knife; mash the garlic, salt, oregano, cumin, pepper, bay leaf and olive oil to a paste in a mortar; rub this mixture all over the roast, forcing it into the slits; combine the sour orange juice, sherry, and onions in a small bowl; place the roast in a large, heavy plastic bag; add the sour OJ mixture, making sure that the whole roast gets covered with the mixture; refrigerate and marinate the roast in the bag overnight, turning occasionally during the time.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Drain the roast, and pat dry, reserving the marinade; place it in a lightly oiled, nonreactive, heavy roasting pan; cook the roast for 1 hour, turning once or twice to brown it on all sides.
  • Reduce the heat to 325 degrees; pour the marinade and onions over the pork; tent the pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil; (tear off a piece that is 1 1/2 times the width of your pan; fold it in half and crease the top; open it up, and place over the pan like a tent, tightly crimping edges to seal) continue roasting the pork, basting from time to time with the pan juices, until almost cooked, about 1 hour; add a little water or sherry if the pan dries out.
  • Uncover the roast and continue cooking until the internal temp reads*at least* 150 degrees F on a meat thermometer, about 30 minutes more; (most Cubans like the meat well done, so after sitting, it should be up to 180 degrees--it's safer, also).
  • Let the roast stand for 10 minutes before carving.
  • Note: this is traditionally served with black bean soup and white rice, and fried, sweet plantains; for dessert, serve a rich flan and you're set!

RICO'S LECHON PORK CUBAN STYLE



Rico's Lechon Pork Cuban Style image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 7h10m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 30

6 pounds pork shoulder or pork butt
8 cloves garlic
6 teaspoons granulated salt
6 teaspoons ground black pepper
6 ounces fresh lemon juice
6 ounces fresh lime juice
8 teaspoons ground achiote
8 teaspoons ground coriander (culantro)
8 teaspoons oregano
6 ounces pure olive oil
6 ounces chopped onions
4 ounces basil
4 ounces green olives
4 ounces pure olive oil
2 ounces green onions
2 ounces green peppers
1 lemon, sliced (peel and all)
1 red bell pepper
1 yellow bell pepper
8 ounces ground achiote
4 ounces fresh lemon juice
4 ounces fresh lime juice
4 ounces pure olive oil
2 ounces fine diced garlic
2 tablespoons ground coriander
2 tablespoons ground cumin
4 teaspoons salt
4 teaspoons granulated black pepper
2 sour oranges, sliced into rounds
Serving suggestion: rice and beans

Steps:

  • For the pork marinade: Rinse the pork with warm water and place on a half-sheet pan preferably 1 to 2 inches deep. Carefully stab 8 to 10 slits with the tip of a chef's knife in different areas of the meat. (Note: If you are using a pork shoulder instead, cut under the thick cap of fat using a fillet knife, cutting while pulling the fat out of the way to one side, revealing the meat; do not remove the layer of fat, just detach it to make way for stabbing slits with your knife.) Using your hands, fill all the slits with garlic cloves, pressing them down into each slit. Add salt and pepper and spread evenly. Pour lemon and lime juices over the pork. Add the achiote, coriander and oregano. Using your hands, massage and spread evenly. Pour the olive oil and spread evenly. Let the pork rest at room temperature for 2 hours.
  • For the blending ingredients: Add the onions, basil, olives, olive oil, green onions, green peppers, lemon, red pepper, yellow pepper and 2 quarts water to a blender. Blend until thick. Set aside.
  • For the mojo marinade: Stir together the achiote, lemon and lime juices, olive oil, garlic, coriander, cumin, salt, pepper and orange slices in a bowl.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Transfer the pork to a deeper roasting pan, preferably 4 inches deep. Add the blending mixture by pouring it evenly over the pork. Now pour the mojo marinate evenly over the pork. Add water, making sure to pour on the sides of the pan and not on top of the pork, and fill at least two-thirds of the way. Cover the pork with foil, sealing tight, and place in the oven. Roast 3 1/2 hours, then remove the foil and turn the oven up to 425 degrees F. Continue to roast for an additional hour.
  • Serve hot with your favorite rice and beans.

ROAST PORK CUBAN STYLE (LECHON ASADO)



Roast Pork Cuban Style (Lechon Asado) image

Barbara and Kevin brought this for dinner to Family Promise with black beans, rice and plantains (baked) YUM!!! I had to have the recipe. It come from Three Guys From Miami, who have published cookbooks and are well known. There were other roast pork recipes here, but NOT this one. It is SOOOOOO good. You can cook this in the oven, on the grill, on the stove or in the crockpot.

Provided by Ambervim

Categories     Very Low Carbs

Time 7h15m

Yield 20-24 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

6 lbs pork shoulder (butt)
20 garlic cloves
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
1 1/2 cups sour orange juice (If NO sour orange juice use 2 parts orange to 1 part lemon and 1 part lime)
1 cup onion, minced
1 teaspoon oregano
1 1/2 cups olive oil

Steps:

  • Mash the garlic, salt, and peppercorns together with a mortar and pestle.
  • Add dried oregano, onion, and the sour orange to make a mash - mix thoroughly.
  • Heat the olive oil in a 2-quart saucepan until hot, but NOT deep frying hot! We're looking for something in the neighborhood of 220 degrees F. Remove the saucepan from the heat source. Carefully add the mash to the hot oil and whisk gently. Let cool.
  • Pierce the pork as many times as you can with a sharp knife or fork.
  • Pour garlic mixture (save a little for roasting) over pork, cover and let sit in refrigerator for 2-3 hours or preferably overnight.
  • OVEN.
  • To roast in the oven, preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Place the pork, fattest side up, in an open roasting pan. Place pan in oven and reduce temperature to 225 degrees F. Spoon extra marinade over the roast occasionally as it cooks. When to temp, immediately cover with foil and let rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving. The roast will continue to cook after you remove it from the heat.
  • GRILL.
  • Use a covered grill, such as the Webber kettle or a covered gas grill. Bank the coals to each side, leaving an empty space beneath your ham. If using a gas grill, use front and rear burners only. The idea is to cook with indirect heat. You want a low heat.
  • Spoon extra marinade over the roast occasionally as it cooks. If not using a gas grill, add charcoal to the sides as needed to maintain roasting temperature. When to temp, immediately cover with foil and let rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving. The roast will continue to cook after you remove it from the heat.
  • STOVETOP OR CROCKPOT.
  • Place ham in a large Dutch oven, or a covered stock pan. Add about one cup of marinade to the pan. Bring to a boil. Adjust the heat to low, cover and cook until completely done. Add additional marinade as needed to keep at least one inch of liquid in bottom of pan so the roast will not burn.
  • All methods internal temp 195F to pull with fork OR 170F to slice. The time of 7 yours is an estimate. Could be less, could be more.
  • Servings based on the size of your ham. Allow about 1/4 to 1/2 pound per person, depending on side dishes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 480.8, Fat 40.8, SaturatedFat 10.7, Cholesterol 96.6, Sodium 322.4, Carbohydrate 3.8, Fiber 0.3, Sugar 1.9, Protein 23.8

LECHóN ASADO



Lechón Asado image

From wild pigs fed on small nuts retrieved by ranch hands nimbly climbing royal palms to all day vigils around wooden roasting boxes, getting pork right is a serious Cuban affair. This Lechón Asado falls in between those extremes. The pork shoulder is marinated in mojo then oven-roasted over several hours, usually overnight. The heat is cranked up at the very end until the skin turns a deep golden brown. Traditionally made for Nochebuena, it's a holiday dish that's simple enough to make for any occasion. This recipe comes from Sofía Benítez Otero.

Provided by Ana Sofia Pelaez

Categories     Pork     Roast     Cuba

Yield 10-12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 cups freshly squeezed sour orange juice or equal parts lime and orange juice
1 whole head of garlic cloves, peeled
2 tablespoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon freshly ground cumin (optional)
2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
7-to-8-pound bone-in, skin-on pork shoulder
1 cup Mojo Criollo

Steps:

  • Combine the juices, garlic, dried oregano, cumin (optional), and black pepper for the marinade in a blender and process until smooth. Set aside until ready to use.
  • Place the pork in a large roasting pan. With the tip of a sharp knife, make numerous incisions into the meat (do not score the skin). Toss the marinade over the pork, cover with plastic wrap, and place in the refrigerator to marinate overnight, turning the meat several times if possible.
  • Preheat the oven to 250°F.
  • Bring the pork to room temperature. Remove the meat from the marinade, pat it dry, and reserve the marinade. Place the pork skin-side up inside the roasting pan and add the marinade back into the roasting pan. Cover the pork with aluminum foil and insert into the oven.
  • Cook for 8 to 9 hours until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 170°F to 190°F near the bone, shreds easily, and the liquid runs clear when the meat is pierced.
  • To get crisp skin, remove the pork from the oven and turn the oven up to 450°F. Once the oven is preheated, remove the foil from the pork and put it back in the oven. Check the pork every few minutes so the skin does not burn. Remove the pork when it has crisped nicely, 15 to 30 minutes total.
  • Remove the pork from the oven and let it rest 15 to 20 minutes before carving. Discard the braising liquid. Serve in chunks and drizzle with Mojo Criollo sauce.

CUBAN ROASTED WHOLE PORK, CUBAN LECHON ASADO



Cuban Roasted Whole Pork, Cuban Lechon Asado image

There is nothing like the aroma of a whole roasted Cuban pork. Marinated in sour orange juice and fresh garlic and roasted in the Caja China. It is a homemade roasting box made of wood and lined inside with a metal tin. It is very popular with the Cuban families. in fact almost all Cuban families own this roasting box to roast their pig. This special box is used to roast a 65lb to 80lb pig sometimes larger. Here is the recipe to make this delicious roast pig.

Provided by Juliann Esquivel @Juliann

Categories     Pork

Number Of Ingredients 12

25/30 large sour oranges, juiced and strained of all pulp about 2 quarts of juice. if sour orange not avilable use limes and add add 8 ounces orange juice to a quart and a half of lime juice.
1 1/2 pound(s) fresh garlic cloves peeled
2 tablespoon(s) dried oregano
1 tablespoon(s) cumin powder
2 large bay leaves
2 tablespoon(s) salt
1 teaspoon(s) black pepper
1 large 65/70 pound fresh slaughtered dressed pig
4 to 5 tablespoon(s) salt (to salt pork first)
1 tablespoon(s) dried oregano
1 tablespoon(s) cumin powder
1 tablespoon(s) ground black pepper

Steps:

  • The day before marinating the pig, squeeze the sour oranges, strain of all pulp and seeds. Peel the garlic bulbs removing the cloves into a large bowl. In your blender pour about 2 cups of the juice add a large handful of garlic cloves add half the oregano, half the cumin, 1 bay leaf, 1 tablespoon salt, and half the black pepper. Blend on high as if you were making a shake. Blend for about half a minute until all the garlic is liquified with the sour orange juice. Take the remaing juice, garlic cloves and spices and blend again until all is throughly blended. put into a large glass bottle or plastic bottle. Do not store in any metal container. Store overnight for flavors to meld.
  • Next day your pig should be fresh or defrosted Open pig with a meat clever hitting along the spine so as to open the pork completely. Pork should lay flat open. With a sharp knife make deep slits between the ribs and along the inside of the pork shoulders and pork fresh ham thighs. Next take your 4/5 tablespoons of salt and throughly salt your pork completely. Do not be afraid to salt the pork. A whole pork sucks up a lot of salt. Rub the salt all inside the pork on the fresh ham legs and pork shoulders. With your fingers push the salt deep into the slits you made before. Use all of the salt. Rub over the slits in the ribs sticking your fingers deep into the slits so the pork will be salted inside. Next pour the citrus marinade all inside the pig into the slits of the ribs and with your fingers pushing the marinade into the deep slits in the pork meat. Use about 12 ounces and only pour inside the pig. Do not marinate the pig on the outside. The skin is to tough so the marinade will not penetrate the thick skin. Leave your pig lying on its back face up so the marinade will penetrate the meat. We leave the pork with the marinade for about 12 hours.
  • The next day the pig can be roasted in the Caja China the Cuban roasting box or some people dig a long deep hole in the ground and line the bottom with a large layer of charcoals about 8 or 9 pounds half of a very large bag they mound them up and light the pile with lighter fuel and leave the coals catch and light real good when the coals start to turn white they spread them in a large lawyer in the bottom of the hole spread the length of the hole. Two large cinder blocks are used one on each side. the pig is laying in a very large metal rack or tray that is special made to hold the a whole pig up to 65 to 75 pound pig. Another large metal tray is layed over the pig and then large banana leaves are spred over the top to ensure no heat escapes. Roasting the pig in a pit takes a lot longer because after an hour or two you have to remove the tray add more coal and ensure it is lit to continue roasting the pig. A much easier way is to order a Caja China on the internet. You can type in Caja China Roasting Box or Cuban Caja China. This translates to The Chinese Roasting Box which is the name the Cubans have given it. The invention however is totaly Cuban. If you order your Caja China you will have a much easier time of roasting your pig. the heat sourse comes from the top and circulates all around your pig in the box. Your pig will not burn it will cook a lot faster and a 65 to 75 pounder as we did this Christmas cooked in six hours. The first three hours we did not uncover the pig. We lit and added a total of 8 to 9 pounds of charcoal on the top of the lid at two hour intervals. The pig came out after three hours and was turned over and roasted in the box back side up so as to crisp and brown the skin. The pig came out succulent, juicy and the meat moist. The skin came out crispy and crackly. Totaly delicious. Once your pig is roasted you can take it out and cut the pork in small pieces sprinkle the remaing marinade over the meat basting the meat and serving with the traditional black beans and rice, yucca or casava and fried sweet plantains. A traditional avacado salad and Cuban tamales is also served with the roasted pork. Whole roasted pig is traditionaly made for Christmas Eve and New Years Eve dinner. However is is not uncommon for Cuban families to roast pigs for special family get togethers any time of the year. Enjoy.

Tips:

  • Choose the Right Cut of Meat: Select a fresh pork shoulder or ham roast with a good amount of marbling for a more flavorful and tender result.
  • Prepare the Mojo Marinade: The mojo marinade is a key component of Cuban lechon asado. Make sure to use a citrus-based marinade with garlic, oregano, cumin, and other spices to infuse flavor into the meat.
  • Score the Pork: Before marinating, score the pork shoulder or ham roast with a sharp knife to allow the marinade to penetrate deeper and enhance the flavor.
  • Marinate the Pork: Allow the pork to marinate in the mojo marinade for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results. This allows the flavors to develop and tenderize the meat.
  • Roast the Pork: Place the pork in a roasting pan and roast in a preheated oven at 325°F (165°C) for several hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Baste the pork with the marinade occasionally during roasting to keep it moist and flavorful.
  • Serve with Traditional Sides: Cuban lechon asado is traditionally served with sides like congrí (rice and beans), yuca con mojo (cassava with garlic sauce), and tostones (fried plantains). These sides complement the rich flavors of the pork and create a balanced and satisfying meal.

Conclusion:

Cuban lechon asado is a delicious and flavorful dish that showcases the vibrant culinary traditions of Cuba. By following these tips and using the provided recipe, you can create an authentic and unforgettable Cuban lechon asado at home. The combination of the citrusy mojo marinade, tender pork, and traditional sides makes this dish a perfect centerpiece for any special occasion or family gathering. So, gather your ingredients, fire up your oven, and embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Cuban cuisine with this delectable dish.

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