Popular Lechón Asado: Oven-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Sofrito

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

Tender, fall-off-the-bone pork shoulder marinated in a fragrant Puerto Rican sofrito, slow-roasted until juicy and golden, capturing the essence of traditional island flavors. This puerto rican-inspired one pot ready in about 240 minutes pairs pork shoulder, olive oil, fresh oregano for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 210 min Serves 6 Puerto Rican cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup chopped fresh oregano, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 cup finely diced yellow onion, 1/2 cup finely diced green bell pepper, 1/2 cup tomato sauce, 1 tbsp adobo seasoning, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix until smooth to form a thick paste.
  2. Step 2: Rub the paste evenly over all surfaces of the 3 lbs pork shoulder, ensuring full coverage. Place pork in a roasting pan and pour any remaining marinade over the top.
  3. Step 3: Cover the roasting pan tightly with aluminum foil and place in the oven. Roast for 3 hours until pork is fork-tender and internal temperature reaches 195°F.
  4. Step 4: Remove foil and return pork to oven uncovered for 30 minutes to crisp the exterior. Transfer to a cutting board, tent loosely with foil, and rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Popular Lechón Asado: Oven-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Sofrito take to make?

Total time is about 240 minutes (30 min prep + 210 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 Popular Lechón Asado: Oven-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Sofrito?

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 Popular Lechón Asado: Oven-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Sofrito?

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 Popular Lechón Asado: Oven-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Sofrito 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 Popular Lechón Asado: Oven-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Sofrito?

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.

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