Dominican-Style Slow-Cooked Pork with Citrus and Garlic
Tender pork shoulder slow-cooked with bright Dominican-style citrus and garlic flavors, perfect for a flavorful Caribbean meal. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 225 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 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. 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
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1/2 cup lime juice
- 6 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup orange juice, 1/2 cup lime juice, 6 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tbsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Stir until well mixed.
- Step 2: Place 3 lbs pork shoulder into a large zip-top bag or container and pour the citrus-garlic marinade over it, ensuring the pork is fully coated. Refrigerate and marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best flavor.
- Step 3: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Transfer the marinated pork and marinade into a roasting pan, cover tightly with foil, and cook for 3 to 3.5 hours until the pork is fork-tender and easily shredded.
- Step 4: Remove the pork from the oven and let it rest uncovered for 15 minutes. Then shred the meat with two forks and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro for a bright finish. Serve warm with rice or plantains.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dominican-Style Slow-Cooked Pork with Citrus and Garlic take to make?
Total time is about 225 minutes (15 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 Dominican-Style Slow-Cooked Pork 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 Dominican-Style Slow-Cooked Pork 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 Dominican-Style Slow-Cooked Pork 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 Dominican-Style Slow-Cooked Pork with Citrus and Garlic?
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.
