Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Poc Chuc
Poc Chuc is a traditional Yucatecan dish featuring thinly sliced pork marinated in tangy citrus and slowly grilled to smoky perfection. This mexican-inspired pork ready in about 25 minutes pairs pork shoulder, thinly sliced, fresh orange juice, fresh lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 1 lb pork shoulder, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp white vinegar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced white onion
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1/2 cup fresh orange juice, 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp white vinegar, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Whisk together to form the marinade.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder to the marinade, tossing to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 6 hours to absorb flavors.
- Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Remove pork from marinade, letting excess drip off, and brush with 2 tbsp vegetable oil.
- Step 4: Grill pork slices for 3-4 minutes per side until edges are slightly charred and pork is cooked through but still juicy.
- Step 5: While pork grills, thinly slice 1/2 cup white onion and mix with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro to serve as a fresh topping.
- Step 6: Serve the grilled pork topped with the onion-cilantro mix and extra lime wedges if desired.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Poc Chuc take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 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 Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Poc Chuc?
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, thinly sliced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Poc Chuc?
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 Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Poc Chuc for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Poc Chuc?
Mexican 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.