Achiote-Pork Shoulder with Orange and Garlic
Slow-roasted pork shoulder marinated in vibrant achiote paste, served with a bright orange-garlic glaze. This puerto rican-inspired slow cooker ready in about 230 minutes pairs trimmed of excess fat pork shoulder, achiote paste, orange juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs, trimmed of excess fat pork shoulder
- 2 tbsp achiote paste
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup (from 2 oranges) orange segments
- 1/4 cup, chopped cilantro
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Pat pork shoulder dry and season evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: In a bowl, mix achiote paste, 1/4 cup orange juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, minced garlic, and apple cider vinegar to form marinade.
- Step 3: Rub marinade all over pork shoulder, covering all sides completely. Place in roasting pan.
- Step 4: Roast uncovered for 3-3.5 hours until pork is fork-tender and internal temperature reaches 195°F.
- Step 5: Remove pork from oven and let rest 15 minutes. Simmer orange segments and remaining 1/4 cup orange juice in a saucepan 10 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Step 6: Slice pork, serve with orange glaze, and sprinkle with chopped cilantro.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Achiote-Pork Shoulder with Orange and Garlic take to make?
Total time is about 230 minutes (20 min prep + 210 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Achiote-Pork Shoulder with Orange and Garlic?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep achiote paste from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Achiote-Pork Shoulder with Orange and Garlic?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Achiote-Pork Shoulder with Orange and Garlic for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Achiote-Pork Shoulder with Orange and Garlic?
Puerto Rican slow cooker like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Perfect slow cooker recipe for a weeknight dinner.
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★★
I've tried many slow cooker recipes and this is hands down the best.
