Lechón Asado Style Oven-Baked Pork

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

Tender, flavorful pork shoulder with a crispy exterior, seasoned with traditional Puerto Rican spices. This puerto rican-inspired grilling ready in about 190 minutes pairs pork shoulder, olive oil, achiote paste 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.

★ 4.4 (10 ratings) Prep: 25 min Cook: 165 min Serves 6 Puerto Rican cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). In a small bowl, mix olive oil, achiote paste, vinegar, garlic powder, dried oregano, brown sugar, black pepper, and salt to form a thick paste. Rub the paste evenly over the pork shoulder, covering all sides completely.
  2. Step 2: Place quartered onion and smashed garlic cloves in the bottom of a roasting pan. Place pork shoulder on top, skin-side up, then pour pineapple juice around the pork.
  3. Step 3: Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 2 hours. Remove foil and continue baking for 30-45 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 195°F (90°C) and the skin is deeply golden and crispy.
  4. Step 4: Remove from oven, tent with foil, and let rest for 15 minutes before slicing. Serve with pan juices and roasted vegetables.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Lechón Asado Style Oven-Baked Pork take to make?

Total time is about 190 minutes (25 min prep + 165 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 Style Oven-Baked 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 Style Oven-Baked 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 Style Oven-Baked 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 Style Oven-Baked 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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