Slow-Cooked Citrus-Garlic Pork Shoulder

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-18 · Updated 2026-04-18

Tender pork shoulder braised in a zesty blend of lime, orange, and garlic, resulting in juicy meat that falls off the bone. This Puerto Rican-inspired quick recipe, ready in about 500 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, garlic, lime 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.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs pork shoulder
• 10 cloves garlic
• 2 lime
• 2 orange
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season 3 lbs pork shoulder with 2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper, then sear for 5 minutes per side until browned.
2. Step 2: Remove pork and set aside. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 10 minced garlic cloves to the pot, sautéing for 3 minutes until the onion is translucent.
3. Step 3: Stir in the juice of 2 limes, juice of 2 oranges, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1 tsp dried oregano, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
4. Step 4: Bring to a simmer, cover, and transfer to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 8 hours or until the pork is fork-tender.
5. Step 5: Remove pork and let rest for 15 minutes. Strain the cooking liquid and reduce it on the stovetop for 10 minutes until thickened.
6. Step 6: Slice the pork and serve with the reduced sauce.