Walnut Free Cuban Mojo Pork
Bright citrus, warm spices, and slow-roasted pork come together in a dish that's bold, juicy, and deeply satisfying. The mojo marinade — built from fresh orange and lime juice, garlic, olive oil, cumin, oregano, turmeric, and smoked paprika — gets blended into a vibrant, fragrant sauce that soaks into every inch of the pork shoulder overnight. That long marinating time is what makes the difference, turning a humble bone-in cut into something that practically falls apart at the touch of a fork. A low-and-slow roast at 325°F does the heavy lifting, and a final blast of high heat caramelizes the exterior into something irresistibly golden and crisp. Every ingredient here is naturally free of tree nuts, so there's no need to scrutinize labels or worry about unexpected additions sneaking in. Finish it with a squeeze of fresh lime and a handful of cilantro, and you've got a centerpiece-worthy meal that tastes like it took far more effort than it did.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
For the pork
- 3 ½ lb bone-in pork shoulder (boston butt)
- 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the mojo marinade
- ½ cup fresh orange juice (from about 2 oranges)
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice (from about 3 limes)
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp orange zest
For serving
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped (optional)
- 1 lime, cut into wedges (optional)
Instructions
- 1
In a blender or food processor, combine the orange juice, lime juice, orange zest, garlic, olive oil, cumin, oregano, turmeric, smoked paprika, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Blend until smooth and emulsified, about 30 seconds.
- 2
Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Season all over with the kosher salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Place the pork in a large zip-top bag or a snug container and pour all of the mojo marinade over it, turning to coat every surface. Seal and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
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