Slow-Roasted Pork with Cilantro-Lime Rice
Tender pork shoulder slow-roasted with garlic and herbs, served with a bright cilantro-lime rice for balanced flavor. This mexican ready in about 135 minutes pairs pork shoulder, garlic, olive oil 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
- 2 lbs, trimmed of excess fat pork shoulder
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups, cooked white rice
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1/2, cut into wedges lime
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Rub 2 lbs pork shoulder with 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
- Step 2: Place the pork in a roasting pan and roast for 2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 195°F.
- Step 3: In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups cooked white rice, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 2 tablespoons lime juice, and a pinch of salt.
- Step 4: Let the pork rest for 15 minutes, then slice. Serve the sliced pork with the cilantro-lime rice and lime wedges on the side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Roasted Pork with Cilantro-Lime Rice take to make?
Total time is about 135 minutes (15 min prep + 120 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 with Cilantro-Lime Rice?
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 with Cilantro-Lime Rice?
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 with Cilantro-Lime Rice 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 with Cilantro-Lime Rice?
Mexican mexican 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
- ★★★★★
My partner and I hosted a dinner party with this—everyone raved about the pork. The cilantro-lime rice was the star, even for the picky eaters.
- ★★★★★
This recipe transformed my weeknight dinners. The slow-roast method made the pork unbelievably tender, and the rice had the perfect zesty kick.
- ★★★★★
The pork melted off the bone and the cilantro-lime rice was a game-changer—I'll never make rice without lime again! My family asked for seconds.
