Citrus-Achiote Roast Pork with Orange Glaze
A juicy pork roast marinated in vibrant achiote and citrus, finished with a glossy orange glaze that enhances its natural richness. This puerto rican-inspired grilling ready in about 180 minutes pairs bone-in, trimmed 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 450 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.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs, bone-in, trimmed pork shoulder
- 1/4 cup achiote paste
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1, zested and juiced orange
- 2 tbsp honey
Instructions
- Step 1: Trim 3 lbs bone-in pork shoulder of excess fat and pat dry. In a bowl, combine 1/4 cup achiote paste, 1/4 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to create a smooth marinade.
- Step 2: Rub the marinade evenly over the entire surface of the pork shoulder. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Step 3: Preheat the oven to 325°F. Place the marinated pork in a roasting pan and pour any remaining marinade over it.
- Step 4: Roast for 2 hours, basting every 30 minutes with the pan juices. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup orange zest, and 2 tbsp honey to make the glaze.
- Step 5: After 2 hours, brush the glaze over the pork and continue roasting for 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove from the oven and let rest for 15 minutes before slicing.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Citrus-Achiote Roast Pork with Orange Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 180 minutes (30 min prep + 150 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 Citrus-Achiote Roast Pork with Orange Glaze?
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 Citrus-Achiote Roast Pork with Orange Glaze?
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 Citrus-Achiote Roast Pork with Orange Glaze 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 Citrus-Achiote Roast Pork with Orange Glaze?
Puerto Rican grilling 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
- ★★★★★
The achiote gave the perfect color and depth. I'll make this every week!
- ★★★★★
This pork was incredibly flavorful and moist. My family loved it as a Sunday dinner.
- ★★★★☆
Great recipe overall, but the cooking time was longer than listed. Worth it though!
