Mojo-Marinated Pork Shoulder with Crispy Plantains
Tender pork shoulder soaked in a bright, citrusy mojo marinade, slow-baked until fall-apart tender, served with caramelized plantains for a classic Puerto Rican pairing. This puerto rican-inspired one pot ready in about 170 minutes pairs trimmed of excess fat pork shoulder, olive oil, white vinegar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 680 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
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh oregano
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 lb, peeled and sliced into 1-inch rounds plantains
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup chopped oregano, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1/2 tsp salt to form the mojo marinade.
- Step 2: Place pork shoulder in a resealable bag, pour marinade over it, and rub to coat evenly. Marinate for 2 hours at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator.
- Step 3: Preheat oven to 325°F. Place marinated pork in a roasting pan, cover with foil, and bake for 2.5 hours until fork-tender.
- Step 4: While pork bakes, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add plantain slices and cook for 5 minutes on each side until golden brown and tender.
- Step 5: Remove pork from oven, let rest for 10 minutes, slice, and serve with crispy plantains.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mojo-Marinated Pork Shoulder with Crispy Plantains take to make?
Total time is about 170 minutes (20 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 Mojo-Marinated Pork Shoulder with Crispy Plantains?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Mojo-Marinated Pork Shoulder with Crispy Plantains?
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 Crispy Plantains 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 Mojo-Marinated Pork Shoulder with Crispy Plantains?
Puerto Rican one pot 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
- ★★★★★
This is the best Puerto Rican dish I've made. The whole family adored it.
- ★★★★☆
The mojo was delicious but the plantains were too salty.
- ★★★★☆
Perfectly cooked pork and plantains, no issues.
