Best 11 Cuban Style Roast Pork Shoulder Recipes

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Explore the tantalizing world of Cuban cuisine with our guide to the ultimate Cuban style roast pork shoulder recipe. This delectable dish, known as lechón asado, is a beloved staple of Cuban festivities and family gatherings. The succulent and flavorful pork shoulder, marinated in a blend of aromatic spices and herbs, is slow-roasted to perfection, resulting in a tender and juicy masterpiece. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or a culinary enthusiast looking to expand your horizons, our comprehensive guide will provide you with step-by-step instructions, tips, and tricks to create this exceptional Cuban dish that will leave your taste buds dancing.

Let's cook with our recipes!

JUICY CUBAN MOJO PORK ROAST (CHEF MOVIE RECIPE)



Juicy Cuban Mojo Pork Roast (Chef Movie recipe) image

This is the Mojo Marinated Roast Pork from the John Favreau movie "Chef". The recipe was created by rock star LA chef Roy Choi. The flavours of the marinade are classic Cuban, citrusy and strong. It infuses into the pork incredibly well. I made this with boneless pork shoulder because I made it specifically with the intention of using leftovers to make Cubanos (Cuban sandwiches) and boneless is easier to slice. But it can also be made with bone-in pork (add 0.5kg/1lb to the pork weight). This roast is extremely tender though is still suited to carving rather than "pulling apart" with tongs - though I also provide the cook times for a pulled Cuban pork option!

Provided by Nagi | RecipeTin Eats

Categories     Pork     Roast

Time 3h15m

Number Of Ingredients 15

3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 cup cilantro / coriander, (lightly packed)
1 tbsp orange zest
3/4 cup orange juice, (fresh)
1/2 cup lime juice
1/4 cup mint leaves, (lightly packed)
8 garlic cloves
1 tbsp fresh oregano leaves, (packed (or 1/2 tbsp dried oregano))
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
4 lb / 2 kg pork shoulder / pork butt, (skinless and boneless (not loin or leg roast, will dry out))
2 tbsp lime juice
1/4 cup orange juice
Salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Combine Marinade ingredients in a food processor and blend until the herbs and garlic are finely chopped. Alternatively, you can finely chop/mince the garlic and herbs then mix all ingredients in a bowl.
  • Place in a large ziplock bag with the pork. Place in the fridge overnight (in a bowl, just to be safe).
  • Remove the pork from the Marinade and leave on counter for 1 hour (bring to room temp). Reserve the Marinade.
  • Preheat oven to 220°C/425°F (200°C fan).
  • Roast, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Base with pan juices.
  • Reduce heat to 190°C/375°F (170°C). Roast for another 1 1/2 - 2 hours, basting every half hour, until the internal temperature reaches 70°/160°F. At this temperature, the pork is cooked, still juicy, and carvable, as it is intended to be (Note 1)
  • Fall-apart tender alternative (not slicable, meat falls apart): Roast at 160°C/320°F (all oven types) for 3 1/2 hours, or until the meat can be easily shredded using 2 forks (check on side).
  • Remove from the oven and place on a plate, loosely covered with foil. Rest for 20 minutes before serving with the Mojo Sauce on the side. I decorated mine with pan fried slices of oranges and extra cilantro/coriander leaves.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 229 g, Calories 538 kcal, Carbohydrate 4.2 g, Protein 31.3 g, Fat 44.5 g, SaturatedFat 13.5 g, Cholesterol 113 mg, Sodium 356 mg, Sugar 2.1 g, UnsaturatedFat 31 g

CUBAN-STYLE PORK ROAST



Cuban-Style Pork Roast image

Pork shoulder is an inexpensive cut of meat, and since it cooks slowly at a low temperature, it is also relatively hands-off.From the book "Mad Hungry," by Lucinda Scala Quinn (Artisan Books).

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Pork Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 6

10 garlic cloves, peeled
4 tablespoons fresh oregano leaves (from about 5 sprigs), or 2 teapsoons dried oregano
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 whole limes, cut in pieces
1 tablespoon coarse salt
One 7 1/2 pound boneless pork shoulder (also known as pork butt or picnic shoulder)

Steps:

  • Puree garlic, oregano, olive oil, limes, and salt in a blender or food processor.
  • Place meat in a roasting pan, and score the fat on top of the pork. Rub garlic mixture all over pork. Cover and refrigerate overnight or up to 24 hours. Flip roast occasionally and redistribute the rub.
  • Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Remove meat from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Place pan in the oven, fat side up, and add 1 cup of water to pan. Roast, uncovered, occasionally basting meat with juices and rub and turning pan to promote even cooking. Cook for 6 to 8 hours, until meat easily shreds. Let rest for 15 minutes, then shred and serve.

CUBAN ROAST PORK



Cuban Roast Pork image

Make and share this Cuban Roast Pork recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Crabbycakes

Categories     Pork

Time P1DT5h

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

5 -6 lbs pork roast, shoulder, sirloin
3 garlic cloves, peeled and slivered
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup lime juice
1 tablespoon oregano, ground
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon salt, to taste
1 large onion, sliced

Steps:

  • Trim fat from roast, if any.
  • With a sharp knife, cut tiny holes in roast and insert slivers of garlic.
  • In large plastic bag, place remaining ingredients.
  • Shake to mix well.
  • Place pork roast in bag.
  • Place in refrigerator, at least overnight.
  • Remove roast from marinade and discard the marinade.
  • Preheat oven to 275 degrees F.
  • Place in covered baking pan and cook for 5-6 hours.
  • Turn once during baking.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 509.4, Fat 14.2, SaturatedFat 4.2, Cholesterol 260.8, Sodium 1384.5, Carbohydrate 7.2, Fiber 0.8, Sugar 3.2, Protein 83.8

CUBAN-STYLE OVEN-ROASTED PORK



Cuban-Style Oven-Roasted Pork image

Letting the cooked roast rest for a full hour will yield noticeably more tender meat. This roast has a crispy skin that should be served along with the meat. Top the meat with Mojo Sauce (see related recipe). Traditional accompaniments include black beans, rice, and fried plantains. Cook's Illustrated Note: I have made this about 4 times and I have only used the shoulder once and it was amazing! I have never eaten cracklin before but it was so good on this. The other times I made it with pork loin and I learned to halve the recipe due to them being half the weight. IT was pretty intense at full strength esp. with the brine. My grandfather was Cuban and I'm sure he never made it this way, but now I will never make it any other way!

Provided by nsomniak6

Categories     Pork

Time P1DT7h

Yield 1 roast, 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 (7 -8 lb) pork shoulder, bone-in skin-on
3 cups sugar
2 cups table salt
2 medium head garlic, unpeeled cloves separated and crushed
4 cups orange juice
12 medium garlic cloves, peeled and coarsely chopped (about 1/4 cup)
2 tablespoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons dried oregano
1 tablespoon table salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
6 tablespoons orange juice
2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil

Steps:

  • TO BRINE THE PORK: With sharp paring knife, cut 1-inch-deep slits (about 1 inch long) all over roast, spaced about 2 inches apart. Dissolve sugar and salt in 6 quarts cold water in stockpot or large bucket. Stir in garlic and orange juice. Submerge pork in brine and refrigerate 18 to 24 hours.
  • TO APPLY THE GARLIC-CITRUS PASTE: Process garlic, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper in food processor until they reach consistency of coarse paste, about ten 1-second pulses. With machine running, add orange juice, vinegar, and oil through feed tube and process until mixture forms smooth, wet paste, about 20 seconds. Remove pork from brine and rinse under cool running water; pat dry with paper towels. Rub paste all over pork and into slits. Refrigerate pork while oven is preheating to 325 degrees with rack in lower-middle position.
  • TO ROAST THE PORK: Place pork with skin side down on wire rack set over rimmed baking sheet or in roasting pan with rack. Cook, uncovered, 3 hours. Flip roast skin side up and continue to cook until instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of meat registers 190 degrees, about 3 hours more, lightly tenting roast with foil if skin begins to get too dark.
  • Transfer roast to cutting board and let rest 1 hour. To carve, first remove skin in one large piece. Scrape off and discard top layer of fat, then cut pork away from bone in 3 or 4 large pieces. Slice each piece against grain into 1/4-inch slices. To serve skin, scrape excess fat from underside and cut into strips. Drizzle Mojo Sauce (see related recipe) over pork just before serving.

CUBAN-STYLE ROAST PORK



Cuban-Style Roast Pork image

Fragrant, savory, and succulent pork roast the whole family will love. Serve with cumin scented black beans, and mashed sweet potatoes.

Provided by Michele Kerr Fielding

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Latin American     Caribbean

Time 2h48m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 cloves garlic
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground coriander
3 tablespoons lime juice
3 tablespoons orange juice
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 ½ teaspoons white wine vinegar
1 (4 pound) pork shoulder roast

Steps:

  • Grind garlic, salt, black pepper, cumin, oregano, and coriander into a paste using a mortar and pestle.
  • Transfer half of the garlic and spice paste to a bowl; add lime juice, orange juice, olive oil, and vinegar. Beat the mixture with a whisk until smooth.
  • Cut several inch-long, deep slits into the fatty side of the pork roast. Rub the reserved garlic paste into the slits.
  • Put rubbed roast into a gallon-size resealable plastic bag. Pour the liquid mixture over the roast, squeeze as much air from the bag as possible and seal; refrigerate, turning occasionally, 8 hours to overnight.
  • Remove pork roast from refrigerator, put into a roasting pan, and let warm at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • Roast pork in preheated oven for 30 minutes, reduce heat to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), and continue cooking until pork is no longer pink in the center, about 2 hours more. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 170 degrees F (75 degrees C).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 265.1 calories, Carbohydrate 2.1 g, Cholesterol 85.5 mg, Fat 14.8 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 29.4 g, SaturatedFat 4.1 g, Sodium 539.9 mg, Sugar 0.6 g

SLOW COOKER CUBAN PORK



Slow Cooker Cuban Pork image

This is from an authentic Cuban recipe site, although I couldn't tell you how "authentic" it is, considering I have never been to Cuba. Serve with black beans and rice. Authentic or not, however, this recipe is amazing, especially the second day on a Cubano sandwich!

Provided by duetfreak

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Latin American     Caribbean

Time 10h30m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 (5 pound) boneless pork loin, trimmed and silver skin removed
1 cup orange juice (such as Simply®)
½ cup lime juice
½ cup lemon juice
14 whole black peppercorns
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 head garlic, peeled and pressed
2 tablespoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon dried oregano

Steps:

  • Cut pork loin into 3 equal pieces.
  • Turn a slow cooker to Low. Add orange juice, lime juice, lemon juice, and peppercorns, then add onion.
  • Mix garlic, salt, and oregano into a paste and rub all over pork pieces. Place pork in the slow cooker.
  • Cook on Low until pork is slightly pink in the center, 9 to 10 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C). Pull apart meat with 2 forks and let sit for 1 hour before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 298.2 calories, Carbohydrate 7.6 g, Cholesterol 89.6 mg, Fat 15.4 g, Fiber 0.9 g, Protein 31.3 g, SaturatedFat 5.8 g, Sodium 1176.1 mg, Sugar 2.8 g

HOW TO MAKE AUTHENTIC CUBAN PERNIL



How To Make Authentic Cuban Pernil image

This Latin inspired pork recipe is a traditional staple in every Latin home. More commonly known as Pernil, this juicy pork meat is the great rival to Turkeys.

Provided by Neyssa Jump

Categories     Main Dish

Number Of Ingredients 8

12 pounds of picnic pork shoulder
6 teaspoon of minced garlic (about 6-8 cloves)
1 cup of mojo marinade
3 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of pepper
2 teaspoon of oregano
3 teaspoon of olive oil
lime juice (optional)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees. (Once marinated for desired amount of time.)
  • In a large mixing bowl, with a sharp knife, carefully lift 3/4 of the skin from the meat. Once skin is lifted, gently poke holes throughout meat.
  • Season generously with salt and pepper.
  • Fill holes with garlic.
  • Make a paste with oil and remaining seasonings. Generously rub pork with paste.
  • Cover bowl and refrigerate for at least two hours. After two hours, add in a cup of mojo to bowl, continue to marinate for another hour or overnight in fridge.
  • Into a large roasting pan, add pork, skin side up. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 5-7 hours. Remove foil and raise heat to 350 degrees for twenty minutes.
  • Remove from heat, let rest for ten minutes. Sprinkle lime juice before serving, if desired.

CUBAN STYLE SLOW ROASTED MARINATED PORK



Cuban Style Slow Roasted Marinated Pork image

Provided by Lord Byron's Kitchen

Time 17h

Number Of Ingredients 13

5-6 pound boneless pork shoulder roast
5 cloves garlic (minced)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons vinegar
1 tablespoon lime juice (fresh)
2 tablespoons oregano (dried)
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 large onions (sliced about ¼ inch thick)

Steps:

  • Begin by washing the pork under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Transfer the pork to a glass dish and set aside.
  • Next, whisk together the garlic, olive oil, vinegar, lime juice, salt, oregano, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, sugar, and black pepper.
  • Rub this half of the mixture over the surface of the roast. Flip the roast over and rub the remaining mixture into the pork.
  • Wrap the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate the pork to marinate for a minimum of 12 hours. Do not let the pork marinate for more than 18 hours.
  • An hour or two before you're ready to start the roasting process, remove the pork from the fridge and let the pork come back to room temperature.
  • In the meantime, cut up the onions and place them under the pork. Nestle the pork roast on top of the bed of sliced onions. Pour one cup of water into the pan.
  • With the oven preheated to 425 degrees, bake the pork, uncovered, for 1 hour.
  • Lower the temperature of the oven to 350 degrees and bake the pork, covered with aluminum foil, for 3 hours. Check the pork every 30 minutes. Add half cup of water if the pan is starting to dry out. You want to keep the moisture in the pan.
  • After 3 hours has passed, remove the aluminum foil and increase the heat to 425 degrees. Bake for 30 more minutes.
  • Next, turn off the heat and leave the pork in the oven for 30 more minutes.
  • Before slicing, allow the pork to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes.

AUTHENTIC CUBAN PORK ROAST



Authentic Cuban Pork Roast image

Provided by Coco and Ash

Categories     dinner     Main Course

Number Of Ingredients 11

10-15 pound bone-in pork butt ((give or take a pound))
1/2 cup olive oil
cloves from 2 whole heads of garlic peeled
1/3 cup sour orange juice
1/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice ((about 1 large naval orange))
3/4 cup fresh lime juice ((about 8 limes))
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons salt
2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano leaves
1/4 cup fresh packed cilantro leaves

Steps:

  • Combine all of the ingredients (except the pork) in a food processor or blender and blend until completely liquified.
  • Line a roasting pan with foil and place the roasting rack in the pan. Place the pork, skin side down on the roasting rack. Add 2 cups of water to the bottom of the roasting pan.
  • Using a meat injector, inject all of the marinade into the pork.Try not to puncture the skin underneath. I like to go in from the side to make sure I'm not puncturing the skin. Just try to inject as many spots as you can to really get the marinade throughout the entire pork. (If you feel like you've maxed out on the inside of the pork, just take any left over marinade and rub it all over the outside of the pork)
  • Cover the pork with foil as tightly as you can to create a seal. Refrigerate overnight or at least for 6 hours. (I prefer overnight but 6 hours will do if you're shorter on time.)
  • After marinating, heat your oven to 275. Once heated, add the covered pork and cook for 7 hours.
  • After the 7 hours, uncover the pork. It should be falling off the bone easily at this point. You can pull at it with a fork to check.
  • Keeping the pork uncovered, set your oven to broil. Broil the top of the pork for about 5 minutes or until it has a nice golden brown color. Using oven mitts and tongs, carefully turn the pork skin side up, and broil the skin side for another 5 minutes or until it's crispy on the top.
  • Let the pork rest for 15 minutes before shredding.

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.

CUBAN-STYLE ROAST PORK SHOULDER



Cuban-Style Roast Pork Shoulder image

Number Of Ingredients 9

8 cloves Garlic, Minced
2 teaspoon Ground Cumin
2 teaspoon Black Pepper
1/4 cup Oregano Leaves, Fresh
2 pieces Oranges
4 pieces Limes
1/4 cup Olive Oil
6-8 pounds Pork Shoulder Roast
3 pieces Mint Leaves

Steps:

  • 1. Combine: Garlic, Cumin, Pepper, Oregano, OJ, Lime Juice and olive oil. Season with salt. Transfer half to a sealed container and refigerate. Pour rest into zip lock bag with pork and marinate overnight.
  • 2. Adjust oven rack to low position. Line rimmed baking sheet with double layer of foil. Place pork and juices on foil and fold and seal. Roast at 325 for 3 hours.
  • 3. Fold back foil, increase temp to 325, baste and roast 2-3 more hours.

Tips:

  • Choosing the Right Pork Shoulder: Look for a pork shoulder that is well-marinated and has a good amount of fat marbling. This will ensure that the pork is tender and flavorful.
  • Preparing the Pork Shoulder: Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels before cooking. This will help the skin crisp up and prevent the meat from steaming.
  • Seasoning the Pork Shoulder: Be generous with the seasoning. Use a combination of garlic, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. You can also add other spices, such as chili powder or smoked paprika, to taste.
  • Cooking the Pork Shoulder: Cook the pork shoulder in a slow cooker or oven at a low temperature until it is fall-off-the-bone tender. This usually takes 8-10 hours.
  • Shredding the Pork Shoulder: Once the pork shoulder is cooked, let it cool slightly before shredding it with two forks. This will make it easier to serve and eat.

Conclusion:

Cuban-style roast pork shoulder is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. With its tender meat, flavorful sauce, and crispy skin, this dish is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So next time you're looking for a special meal to make, give Cuban-style roast pork shoulder a try. You won't be disappointed!

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