Lechón Asado Slow-Cooker Pork
Fall-off-the-bone pork shoulder marinated in citrus and garlic, slow-cooked to perfection with a sweet and tangy glaze. This puerto rican-inspired slow cooker ready in about 505 minutes pairs trimmed pork shoulder, lime juice, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, 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, trimmed pork shoulder
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1, thinly sliced onion
Instructions
- Step 1: Trim 3 lbs pork shoulder of excess fat and cut into 1-inch cubes. In a bowl, combine 1/4 cup lime juice, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp paprika, and 1/2 tsp cumin; mix well.
- Step 2: Add pork cubes to the marinade, ensuring each piece is coated. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours (or overnight for deeper flavor).
- Step 3: Transfer marinated pork to a slow cooker, adding 1/2 cup orange juice and 1 thinly sliced onion; stir to combine.
- Step 4: Cook on LOW for 8 hours until pork is fork-tender and easily pulls apart.
- Step 5: Remove pork and onions, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Shred pork with two forks, then return to slow cooker with reserved liquid; simmer uncovered on HIGH for 15 minutes to thicken sauce.
- Step 6: Serve hot with rice and steamed vegetables.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lechón Asado Slow-Cooker Pork take to make?
Total time is about 505 minutes (25 min prep + 480 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 Slow-Cooker 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 trimmed pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lechón Asado Slow-Cooker 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 Slow-Cooker Pork for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 Slow-Cooker Pork?
Puerto Rican slow cooker 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
- ★★★★★
Best recipe I've made this month.
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
