Mojo-Marinated Pork Shoulder with Citrus
Succulent pork shoulder slow-cooked in a vibrant citrus-garlic marinade until tender enough to fall off the bone. This puerto rican-inspired slow cooker ready in about 285 minutes pairs bone-in pork shoulder, minced garlic, orange juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 medium, sliced onion
- 1/2 cup, sliced green bell pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine 4 cloves minced garlic, 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to make the mojo marinade.
- Step 2: Place the 3 lbs bone-in pork shoulder in a large dish and rub the marinade all over the meat, covering all sides.
- Step 3: Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Step 4: Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Place the marinated pork shoulder in a roasting pan, and surround with 1 medium sliced onion and 1/2 cup sliced green bell pepper.
- Step 5: Cover the pan with foil and roast for 3-4 hours until the pork is tender and easily pulls away from the bone.
- Step 6: Remove the pork from the pan, let rest for 15 minutes, and serve with the roasted vegetables and pan juices.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mojo-Marinated Pork Shoulder with Citrus take to make?
Total time is about 285 minutes (45 min prep + 240 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 Mojo-Marinated Pork Shoulder with Citrus?
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 Mojo-Marinated Pork Shoulder with Citrus?
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 Mojo-Marinated Pork Shoulder with Citrus 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 Mojo-Marinated Pork Shoulder with Citrus?
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
- ★★★★★
Restaurant quality! Can't believe how easy this was.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
