Slow-Cooked Puerto Rican Mojo Pork Shoulder

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork shoulder marinated and slow-cooked with vibrant Puerto Rican mojo sauce, perfect for a flavorful main course. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder, olive oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 8, 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 8 Caribbean cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 6 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tsp chopped fresh oregano, 1 tsp ground cumin, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 1/4 cup orange juice, and 2 tbsp white vinegar to create the mojo marinade.
  2. Step 2: Rub the 3 lbs pork shoulder thoroughly with the mojo marinade, ensuring all sides are coated; marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight for best flavor.
  3. Step 3: Preheat a slow cooker to low heat. Place the marinated pork shoulder into the cooker along with 1 medium diced green bell pepper, 1 medium diced onion, and 1/2 cup water to keep it moist.
  4. Step 4: Cook the pork shoulder on low for 8 hours until it is fork-tender and easily shredded, with the edges caramelized and fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Remove the pork, shred with two forks, and mix it back into the cooking juices before serving to absorb all the rich mojo flavors.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Puerto Rican Mojo Pork Shoulder 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 Puerto Rican Mojo Pork Shoulder?

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 Puerto Rican Mojo Pork Shoulder?

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 Puerto Rican Mojo Pork Shoulder for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 Puerto Rican Mojo Pork Shoulder?

Caribbean 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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