Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Achiote

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

Tender, flavorful pork shoulder slow-cooked with a vibrant achiote marinade, inspired by Puerto Rican street food. This puerto rican-inspired slow cooker ready in about 210 minutes pairs Pork shoulder, Achiote paste, Garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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: 195 min Serves 6 Puerto Rican cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Pat the 2 lbs pork shoulder dry and rub with 2 tbsp olive oil. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: In a bowl, mix 3 tbsp achiote paste, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 cup orange juice, 1 tsp cumin, and 1 tsp oregano to form a paste.
  3. Step 3: Rub the achiote mixture all over the pork shoulder, ensuring it's evenly coated. Place the pork in a roasting pan, nestle the 1 sliced orange around it, and cover the pan with foil.
  4. Step 4: Bake for 3 hours until the pork is fork-tender and falls apart easily.
  5. Step 5: Remove the foil, increase the oven temperature to 400°F, and bake for an additional 15 minutes to crisp the exterior. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Achiote take to make?

Total time is about 210 minutes (15 min prep + 195 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 Shoulder with Achiote?

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 Shoulder with Achiote?

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 Shoulder with Achiote 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 Shoulder with Achiote?

Puerto Rican slow cooker 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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