Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Citrus and Garlic

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A tender Puerto Rican specialty where pork shoulder is slowly roasted with citrus zest and garlic, resulting in fall-off-the-bone perfection. This puerto rican-inspired quick meals ready in about 210 minutes pairs pork shoulder, orange zest, lemon zest for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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: 30 min Cook: 180 min Serves 8 Puerto Rican cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 3 lbs pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Rub 3 tbsp olive oil, 1.5 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 8 minced garlic cloves all over the meat.
  2. Step 2: Mix 2 tbsp orange zest, 1 tbsp lemon zest, and 1/2 cup orange juice in a small bowl, then spread over the pork shoulder.
  3. Step 3: Place pork shoulder in a roasting pan, fat-side up. Roast in a preheated 325°F oven for 3 hours, basting every 45 minutes with the pan juices.
  4. Step 4: After 3 hours, check if the pork is tender; if not, continue roasting for another 30-45 minutes until it pulls apart easily with a fork.
  5. Step 5: Let rest for 20 minutes before slicing. Serve with the pan juices drizzled over the top.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Citrus and Garlic take to make?

Total time is about 210 minutes (30 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 Citrus and Garlic?

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-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Citrus and Garlic?

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 Citrus and Garlic 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-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Citrus and Garlic?

Puerto Rican quick meals 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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