Coffee-Rubbed Pork Shoulder with Plantain Mash
A smoky, aromatic pork shoulder rubbed with coffee and spices, served with creamy plantain mash and a tangy pineapple relish. This puerto rican-inspired slow cooker ready in about 160 minutes pairs trimmed pork shoulder, ground coffee, smoked paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 510 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
- 2 lb, trimmed pork shoulder
- 1 tbsp ground coffee
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 4, peeled and sliced 1/2-inch thick ripe plantains
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup, finely diced pineapple
- 2 tbsp, diced red onion
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Mix 2 lb trimmed pork shoulder with 1 tbsp ground coffee, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt. Rub mixture evenly over all sides of pork, then place in a roasting pan.
- Step 2: Roast uncovered for 2 hours until internal temperature reaches 195°F, basting with pan drippings every 40 minutes. Tent with foil and rest for 20 minutes before slicing.
- Step 3: While pork rests, boil 4 peeled and sliced 1/2-inch thick plantains in salted water for 12 minutes until tender. Drain, then mash with 1/4 cup heavy cream until smooth. Stir in 1/2 cup finely diced pineapple and 2 tbsp diced red onion until combined.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Coffee-Rubbed Pork Shoulder with Plantain Mash take to make?
Total time is about 160 minutes (20 min prep + 140 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 Coffee-Rubbed Pork Shoulder with Plantain Mash?
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 trimmed pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Coffee-Rubbed Pork Shoulder with Plantain Mash?
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 Coffee-Rubbed Pork Shoulder with Plantain Mash 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 Coffee-Rubbed Pork Shoulder with Plantain Mash?
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
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
