Chestnut Free Cuban-Style Mojo Pork
Bold citrus flavors and slow-roasted depth make this Cuban-style pulled pork one of those dishes that genuinely fills the whole kitchen with an irresistible aroma. A bright mojo marinade built from fresh orange juice, lime juice, garlic-infused olive oil, and warm spices like cumin and oregano soaks into the pork shoulder overnight, so every bite is deeply seasoned all the way through. The low-and-slow roasting method does the heavy lifting — by the time you crank the heat at the end, the surface caramelizes into something spectacular while the inside stays fall-apart tender. Because the ingredient list is built entirely around fresh citrus, herbs, and straightforward pantry spices, there are no hidden tree-nut derivatives or ambiguous additives to second-guess. Store-bought marinades and spice blends can be surprisingly tricky to vet, so making this from scratch puts you fully in control of what goes into the pan. A final drizzle of the reduced pan drippings ties everything together, and a handful of fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime at the table keeps it feeling vibrant and alive. This is the kind of centerpiece recipe that earns serious compliments with very little fuss.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
For the pork
- 3 lb bone-in pork shoulder (boston butt)
- 1 tsp fine sea 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)
- ¼ cup garlic-infused olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried thyme
For serving
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped (optional)
- 1 lime, cut into wedges (optional)
Instructions
- 1
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the orange juice, lime juice, garlic-infused olive oil, dried oregano, ground cumin, dried thyme, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until combined.
- 2
Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels, then season all over with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Place the pork in a large roasting pan or Dutch oven. Pour the mojo marinade over the pork, turning to coat all sides. Cover tightly with foil or a lid and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
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