Lechón Asado (Roasted Pork)

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

Crispy, slow-roasted pork shoulder glazed with a tangy citrus marinade, perfect for festive gatherings. This puerto rican-inspired grilling ready in about 180 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 550 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: 160 min Serves 6 Puerto Rican cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). In a bowl, combine 1 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, 6 minced garlic cloves, 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp rosemary. Add 3 lbs pork shoulder and marinate for 4 hours.
  2. Step 2: Place pork in a roasting pan. Roast for 2.5 hours, basting every 30 minutes with marinade. Increase oven temperature to 400°F (200°C) and roast for 15 minutes until skin is crispy and golden.
  3. Step 3: Let rest for 10 minutes, then carve and serve with pan juices.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Lechón Asado (Roasted Pork) take to make?

Total time is about 180 minutes (20 min prep + 160 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 Lechón Asado (Roasted Pork)?

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 Lechón Asado (Roasted Pork)?

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 Lechón Asado (Roasted Pork) 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 Lechón Asado (Roasted Pork)?

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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