Lechón Asado with Citrus and Garlic
Slow-roasted pork shoulder marinated in a zesty citrus and garlic blend, resulting in juicy meat with a golden crust. This puerto rican-inspired grilling ready in about 115 minutes pairs bone-in Pork shoulder, Orange juice, Lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 600 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, bone-in Pork shoulder
- 1/2 cup Orange juice
- 1/4 cup Lemon juice
- 6 cloves, minced Garlic
- 1 tbsp Oregano
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1.5 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Black pepper
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 6 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon oregano, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1.5 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 2 tablespoons olive oil to form a marinade.
- Step 2: Place 3 pounds pork shoulder in a large resealable bag, pour marinade over it, ensuring all sides are coated. Refrigerate for 2 hours to 24 hours.
- Step 3: Preheat oven to 325°F. Transfer marinated pork to a roasting pan, skin-side up, and pour remaining marinade over it.
- Step 4: Roast uncovered for 2.5-3 hours, basting every 45 minutes with pan drippings, until internal temperature reaches 195°F and skin is golden and crisp.
- Step 5: Let rest 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lechón Asado with Citrus and Garlic take to make?
Total time is about 115 minutes (25 min prep + 90 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 with Citrus and Garlic?
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 bone-in pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lechón Asado with Citrus and Garlic?
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 with Citrus and Garlic 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 with Citrus and Garlic?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 90-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
