Caribbean-Spiced Roasted Pork Shoulder
A tender pork shoulder infused with vibrant Caribbean spices and slow-roasted to juicy perfection. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 200 minutes pairs pork shoulder, olive oil, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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 pork shoulder
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp ground allspice
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Rub 3 lbs pork shoulder with 3 tbsp olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp ground allspice, 1 tsp ground cumin, 2 tsp paprika, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper, massaging the spices evenly over the meat.
- Step 2: Place the pork in a roasting pan and roast uncovered for 3 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 195°F and the meat is tender and pulls apart easily.
- Step 3: Remove the pork from the oven and let rest for 15 minutes, then drizzle with 2 tbsp fresh lime juice and sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro over the top before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Caribbean-Spiced Roasted Pork Shoulder take to make?
Total time is about 200 minutes (20 min prep + 180 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 Caribbean-Spiced Roasted Pork Shoulder?
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 pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Caribbean-Spiced Roasted Pork Shoulder?
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 Caribbean-Spiced Roasted Pork Shoulder 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 Caribbean-Spiced Roasted Pork Shoulder?
Caribbean pork 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.
