Slow Cooker Puerto Rican Pernil

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-07 · Updated 2026-04-07

Fall-off-the-bone pork shoulder marinated in citrus and spices, slow-cooked to tender perfection for an authentic Puerto Rican centerpiece. This Puerto Rican-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 495 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, olive oil, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 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.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs, trimmed pork shoulder
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 8 cloves, minced garlic
• 2 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup chicken broth

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

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat 3 lbs pork shoulder dry with paper towels. In a bowl, mix 1/4 cup olive oil, 8 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp dried oregano, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1/2 cup fresh orange juice, 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tsp black pepper to form a smooth marinade.
2. Step 2: Rub the marinade evenly over all surfaces of the pork shoulder, ensuring full coverage. Place pork in a slow cooker and pour 1/2 cup chicken broth around it.
3. Step 3: Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours until pork is fork-tender and pulls away from the bone.
4. Step 4: Carefully remove pork from slow cooker and let rest for 15 minutes. Slice against the grain and serve with cooking juices for maximum flavor.