Slow-Cooker Pernil with Garlic and Citrus

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-13 · Updated 2026-04-13

Tender pork shoulder infused with citrus and garlic, slow-cooked to perfection for a melt-in-your-mouth centerpiece. This Puerto Rican-inspired slow-cooker recipe, ready in about 500 minutes, pairs Pork shoulder, Garlic, Orange juice 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.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs Pork shoulder
• 6 cloves Garlic
• 1/2 cup Orange juice
• 2 tbsp Lime juice
• 1 tsp Oregano
• 1 tsp Cumin
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper

The slow cooker we’d leave this in all day → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 6 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 cup orange juice, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
2. Step 2: Rub the entire 3 lbs pork shoulder with the spice mixture, covering all sides.
3. Step 3: Place pork shoulder in a slow cooker and pour remaining marinade over it.
4. Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours until pork is fork-tender and easily pulls from bone.