Puerto Rican-Inspired Mojo Roasted Pork Shoulder

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

Tender and juicy pork shoulder roasted with a vibrant mojo marinade of garlic, citrus, and fresh herbs, capturing the essence of Puerto Rican flavors. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 235 minutes pairs pork shoulder, garlic cloves, orange juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 8, 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.

★ 4.3 (14 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 220 min Serves 8 Caribbean cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a food processor, combine 8 garlic cloves, 1 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tbsp fresh oregano leaves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Blend until smooth to form the mojo marinade.
  2. Step 2: Score the 4 lbs pork shoulder with shallow cuts and place it in a large resealable bag or dish. Pour the mojo marinade over the pork, ensuring it coats all surfaces, then add 2 bay leaves. Seal and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours or overnight.
  3. Step 3: Preheat the oven to 325°F. Transfer the pork shoulder with marinade into a roasting pan, cover tightly with foil, and roast for 3 to 3.5 hours until the meat is tender and pulls apart easily.
  4. Step 4: Remove the foil and roast for an additional 20 minutes at 375°F to develop a slight crust. Let rest for 15 minutes before slicing or shredding and serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Puerto Rican-Inspired Mojo Roasted Pork Shoulder take to make?

Total time is about 235 minutes (15 min prep + 220 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 Puerto Rican-Inspired Mojo Roasted Pork Shoulder?

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 Puerto Rican-Inspired Mojo Roasted Pork Shoulder?

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 Puerto Rican-Inspired Mojo Roasted Pork Shoulder for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 Puerto Rican-Inspired Mojo Roasted Pork Shoulder?

Caribbean pork 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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