Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Fried Plantains

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

Tender pork shoulder slow-cooked with adobo seasoning, served with golden caramelized plantains for a comforting Puerto Rican meal. This puerto rican-inspired slow cooker ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder, adobo seasoning, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 Puerto Rican cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rub 3 tbsp adobo seasoning evenly over the 2 lb pork shoulder. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering, then sear pork for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown.
  2. Step 2: Transfer seared pork to a slow cooker, add 1 cup water, and cook on low for 8 hours until fork-tender.
  3. Step 3: While pork cooks, heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat, add 4 medium plantains sliced 1/2 inch thick, and cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown, turning once.
  4. Step 4: Season fried plantains with a pinch of salt, then slice rested pork shoulder and serve with plantains.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Fried Plantains 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 Shoulder with Fried Plantains?

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 Fried Plantains?

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 Fried Plantains 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 Fried Plantains?

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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