Lechón Asado with Mojo Sauce
Tender pork shoulder slow-roasted in a zesty garlic-lime marinade, served with a bright citrusy mojo sauce that elevates this iconic Puerto Rican dish. This puerto rican-inspired beef ready in about 180 minutes pairs pork shoulder, lime juice, white vinegar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 2 lbs, trimmed of excess fat pork shoulder
- 1/2 cup lime juice
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 6 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup, chopped cilantro
- 1/4 cup, chopped scallions
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup lime juice, 1/4 cup white vinegar, 6 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix well to form a marinade.
- Step 2: Rub the marinade evenly over 2 lbs pork shoulder (trimmed of excess fat). Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
- Step 3: Preheat oven to 325°F. Place pork on a rack in a roasting pan and roast for 2-2.5 hours until internal temperature reaches 195°F.
- Step 4: Remove from oven, let rest for 20 minutes, then slice. Serve with 1/4 cup chopped cilantro and 1/4 cup chopped scallions mixed into the juices.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lechón Asado with Mojo Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 180 minutes (30 min prep + 150 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 Mojo Sauce?
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 with Mojo Sauce?
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 Mojo Sauce for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Mojo Sauce?
Puerto Rican beef 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
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
