Cuban-Style Mojo Pork Shoulder with Citrus and Garlic

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Slow-roasted pork shoulder marinated in a zesty citrus and garlic mojo sauce, capturing Tampa’s Cuban culinary influence. This latin american-inspired pork ready in about 230 minutes pairs pork shoulder, orange juice, lime juice 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 210 min Serves 6 Latin American cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice, 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice, 8 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried oregano, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper until well combined.
  2. Step 2: Place 3 lbs bone-in pork shoulder in a large resealable bag or container and pour the mojo marinade over it, making sure the pork is thoroughly coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours or overnight.
  3. Step 3: Preheat oven to 325°F. Transfer the pork shoulder to a roasting pan and roast uncovered for 3 to 3 1/2 hours, basting occasionally with the pan juices, until the meat is tender and pulls apart easily.
  4. Step 4: Remove pork from oven, let rest for 15 minutes, then shred with forks. Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving with rice and black beans.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Cuban-Style Mojo Pork Shoulder with Citrus 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 Cuban-Style Mojo Pork Shoulder with Citrus 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 pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Cuban-Style Mojo Pork Shoulder with Citrus 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 Cuban-Style Mojo Pork Shoulder with Citrus 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 Cuban-Style Mojo Pork Shoulder with Citrus and Garlic?

Latin American 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.

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