Grilled Mojo-Marinated Pork Shoulder with Citrus
Tender grilled pork shoulder marinated in a zesty citrus mojo sauce, bringing Puerto Rican flavors to your backyard barbecue. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 35 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, cut into 2-inch chunks pork shoulder
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1/2 cup lime juice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 6 minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh oregano leaves
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup orange juice, 1/2 cup lime juice, 1/4 cup olive oil, 6 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp chopped fresh oregano, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tbsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes to create the mojo marinade.
- Step 2: Add 3 lbs pork shoulder chunks to the marinade, ensuring all pieces are submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best flavor.
- Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Remove pork from marinade, letting excess drip off, and reserve marinade.
- Step 4: Grill pork chunks for 5-7 minutes per side until nicely charred and internal temperature reaches 145°F.
- Step 5: While grilling, bring reserved marinade to a boil in a small saucepan and simmer for 5 minutes to use as a sauce.
- Step 6: Serve grilled pork shoulder with the reduced mojo sauce drizzled over top alongside grilled vegetables or rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Mojo-Marinated Pork Shoulder with Citrus take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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 Mojo-Marinated Pork Shoulder with Citrus?
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 Grilled Mojo-Marinated Pork Shoulder with Citrus?
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 Mojo-Marinated Pork Shoulder with Citrus 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 Grilled Mojo-Marinated Pork Shoulder with Citrus?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Cooked this for a family gathering and everyone asked for the recipe. Perfect balance of citrus and garlic!
- ★★★★★
This recipe was a hit! The mojo marinade made the pork incredibly flavorful and tender.
- ★★★★☆
The pork was moist and flavorful, but the citrus note was a bit subtle. Maybe add a bit more lime.
