Garlic and Citrus-Rubbed Roast Pork Shoulder

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

A succulent pork shoulder rubbed with garlic and citrus, roasted to juicy perfection with a golden crust. This puerto rican-inspired grilling ready in about 200 minutes pairs Pork shoulder, zested and juiced Lemon, minced Garlic 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: 180 min Serves 6 Puerto Rican cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. In a small bowl, mix 3 tbsp olive oil, 8 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp dried oregano. Rub this mixture evenly over the entire surface of 3 lbs pork shoulder.
  2. Step 2: Place pork shoulder in a roasting pan and top with zest and juice of 2 lemons, distributing evenly over the meat.
  3. Step 3: Roast uncovered in preheated oven for 3 hours, basting every 45 minutes with pan juices, until internal temperature reaches 195°F and meat is fork-tender.
  4. Step 4: Remove from oven and let rest for 20 minutes before slicing. Serve with pan juices.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Garlic and Citrus-Rubbed Roast 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 Garlic and Citrus-Rubbed Roast 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 Garlic and Citrus-Rubbed Roast 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 Garlic and Citrus-Rubbed Roast 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 Garlic and Citrus-Rubbed Roast Pork Shoulder?

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.

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