Puerto Rican-Style Mojo Pork Roast with Garlic and Sour Orange

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

Slow-roasted pork infused with bright sour orange and garlic marinade, creating a tender and flavorful Puerto Rican classic. This latin american-inspired pork ready in about 225 minutes pairs pork shoulder, boneless, garlic cloves, minced, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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: 15 min Cook: 210 min Serves 6 Latin American cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup sour orange juice (or 1/2 cup orange juice plus 1/4 cup lime juice), 6 minced garlic cloves, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp dried oregano, 1 tsp ground cumin, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to form the mojo marinade.
  2. Step 2: Place the 3 lbs boneless pork shoulder in a large baking dish or resealable bag. Pour the mojo marinade over the pork, making sure it is well coated. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
  3. Step 3: Preheat oven to 325°F. Remove pork from marinade, reserving the marinade liquid. Place pork in a roasting pan and pour 1/2 cup water along with the reserved marinade around the pork.
  4. Step 4: Roast uncovered for 3-3.5 hours, basting occasionally with pan juices, until pork is fork-tender and has a deep golden crust.
  5. Step 5: Remove from oven and let rest for 15 minutes. Slice the pork and sprinkle with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving, enjoying the bright, garlicky, and tender mojo pork.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Puerto Rican-Style Mojo Pork Roast with Garlic and Sour Orange take to make?

Total time is about 225 minutes (15 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 Puerto Rican-Style Mojo Pork Roast with Garlic and Sour Orange?

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, boneless from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Puerto Rican-Style Mojo Pork Roast with Garlic and Sour Orange?

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-Style Mojo Pork Roast with Garlic and Sour Orange 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 Puerto Rican-Style Mojo Pork Roast with Garlic and Sour Orange?

Latin American 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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