Cuban Mojo-Marinated Roast Pork
Cut used: Pork Shoulder (Boston Butt) pork →
Prep
25 min plus overnight marinating
Cook
4 hrs
Total
4 hrs 25 min plus marinating
Lechon asado is a Cuban roast pork tradition built on mojo, a marinade of sour orange, garlic, and oregano that tenderizes the meat while infusing it with bright acidity. Marinating the shoulder overnight lets the citrus and garlic penetrate deep into the muscle before a slow oven roast brings it to fall-apart tenderness. Serve it with black beans and rice for an authentic Cuban feast.
What Ingredients Do You Need?
- 6 lbs Bone-in pork shoulder
- 1 cup Fresh orange juice
- 1/2 cup Fresh lime juice
- 12 Garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp Dried oregano
- 1 tbsp Ground cumin
- 1/3 cup Olive oil
- 3 tbsp Kosher salt
- 1 tbsp Black pepper
- 3 Bay leaves
- 1 large Yellow onion, sliced
How Do You Make Cuban Mojo-Marinated Roast Pork?
- 1
Make the mojo marinade
Whisk together orange juice, lime juice, garlic, oregano, cumin, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- 2
Marinate overnight
Pierce the pork shoulder all over with a paring knife and place in a large container or bag with the marinade, sliced onion, and bay leaves. Refrigerate for at least 12 hours, turning once.
- 3
Bring to temperature
Remove the pork from the fridge 45 minutes before roasting and let it come closer to room temperature. Reserve the marinade.
- 4
Sear the surface
Roast uncovered in a 450°F oven for 30 minutes to develop color on the exterior.
- 5
Slow roast
Reduce oven temperature to 300°F, pour the reserved marinade over the pork, cover tightly with foil, and roast for 3 to 3.5 hours until fork-tender.
- 6
Uncover to crisp
Remove the foil for the final 20 minutes of cooking to let the skin and edges crisp up.
- 7
Rest and shred
Rest for 15 minutes before pulling or slicing the meat and spooning the pan juices over the top.
What Are the Pro Tips for This Recipe?
- 💡 Sour orange (naranja agria) is traditional if you can find it; the orange-lime blend is a reliable substitute.
- 💡 Piercing the meat before marinating helps the mojo penetrate deeper.
- 💡 This pork is fantastic in Cuban sandwiches the next day.
- 💡 Save extra marinade separately (not touched by raw meat) to drizzle on the finished dish.
