Slow Cooker Cuban-Style Pork with Citrus Mojo
Tender pork shoulder slow-cooked in a bright citrus and garlic mojo sauce, perfect for sandwiches or rice bowls. This caribbean-inspired slow cooker ready in about 495 minutes pairs pork shoulder, cut into 3-inch chunks, orange juice, fresh squeezed, lime juice, fresh squeezed for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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, cut into 3-inch chunks
- 1 cup orange juice, fresh squeezed
- 1/4 cup lime juice, fresh squeezed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 6 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 1 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 6 cloves minced garlic, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tbsp dried oregano, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to create the mojo marinade.
- Step 2: Place 3 lbs pork shoulder chunks in the slow cooker and pour the mojo marinade evenly over the pork.
- Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours until the pork is fall-apart tender.
- Step 4: Remove pork from slow cooker and shred with two forks. Return shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir to coat with remaining sauce.
- Step 5: Sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro over the pork before serving on warm Cuban bread or over rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow Cooker Cuban-Style Pork with Citrus Mojo take to make?
Total time is about 495 minutes (15 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 Cooker Cuban-Style Pork with Citrus Mojo?
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 orange juice, fresh squeezed from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Cuban-Style Pork with Citrus Mojo?
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 Cooker Cuban-Style Pork with Citrus Mojo 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 Cooker Cuban-Style Pork with Citrus Mojo?
Caribbean 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.
