Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Adobo Seasoning
A tender, flavorful pork shoulder slow-cooked with a classic Puerto Rican adobo, resulting in fall-off-the-bone meat with a rich, aromatic crust. This puerto rican-inspired slow cooker ready in about 195 minutes pairs bone-in Pork shoulder, minced Garlic, Oregano for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, 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, bone-in Pork shoulder
- 4 cloves, minced Garlic
- 1 tsp Oregano
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 1.5 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 1/4 cup Orange juice
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1/2 tsp (optional) Cumin seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Pat pork shoulder dry, rub with minced garlic, oregano, cumin, paprika, 1.5 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and cumin seeds (if using).
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in large oven-safe Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear pork on all sides 3-4 minutes per side until browned.
- Step 3: Pour orange juice into pot, add seared pork. Cover pot with lid, place in oven. Cook 3 hours until pork is very tender and pulls away from bone.
- Step 4: Remove pork, rest 15 minutes. Strain cooking juices, pour over pork before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Adobo Seasoning take to make?
Total time is about 195 minutes (15 min prep + 180 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-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Adobo Seasoning?
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 bone-in pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Adobo Seasoning?
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-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Adobo Seasoning for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Adobo Seasoning?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This pork shoulder turned out incredibly tender and the adobo seasoning gave it such a deep flavor. My family devoured it!
- ★★★★★
Loved it! Perfect for a family dinner, everyone asked for seconds.
- ★★★★☆
The adobo seasoning was a great twist, but I found it slightly bland on its own. Next time I'll add more garlic.
