Nightshade Free Cuban-Style Mojo Pork
Mojo pork is one of those dishes that fills the whole kitchen with an intoxicating citrus-and-herb aroma long before it ever hits the table. The magic here is a bright, garlicky marinade built from fresh orange juice, lime juice, garlic-infused olive oil, cumin, oregano, and thyme — bold, layered flavors with zero nightshades in sight. Traditional Cuban mojo recipes are naturally free of tomatoes and peppers, but it's still worth double-checking store-bought shortcuts, which is exactly why making this from scratch is the smarter move. The pork shoulder gets a long overnight soak in that marinade, then a slow roast low and covered until it's practically falling off the bone, followed by a blast of high heat to caramelize the outside into something deeply savory and irresistible. Reducing the pan drippings into a quick sauce at the end means nothing goes to waste and every bite gets an extra hit of that citrusy, herby goodness. Finish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime, and you've got a centerpiece dish that feels festive and totally satisfying without any of the usual dietary compromises.
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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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