Slow-Cooked Pork Pernil with Mojo Sauce

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

A fragrant Puerto Rican classic where pork shoulder simmers for hours in a zesty citrus-garlic marinade, resulting in tender, flavorful meat that falls off the bone. This puerto rican-inspired quick meals ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder, lime juice, olive oil 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.

★ 4.2 (14 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 Puerto Rican cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup lime juice, 1/4 cup olive oil, 8 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, 1 tbsp dried oregano, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to make the mojo sauce.
  2. Step 2: Rub the entire 2 lbs pork shoulder with the mojo sauce, then place it in a slow cooker. Add the quartered onion and 2 bay leaves on top.
  3. Step 3: Pour 2 cups chicken broth around the pork in the slow cooker, cover, and cook on low for 8 hours.
  4. Step 4: Remove the pork from the slow cooker, discard the onion and bay leaves, and shred the pork with two forks. Let rest for 15 minutes.
  5. Step 5: Strain the cooking liquid into a saucepan and simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes to thicken slightly.
  6. Step 6: Serve the shredded pork with the thinned cooking liquid and additional lime wedges.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Pork Pernil with Mojo Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 500 minutes (20 min prep + 480 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 Slow-Cooked Pork Pernil with Mojo Sauce?

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 Slow-Cooked Pork Pernil with Mojo Sauce?

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 Slow-Cooked Pork Pernil with Mojo Sauce 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 Slow-Cooked Pork Pernil with Mojo Sauce?

Puerto Rican quick meals 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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