Smoky Puerto Rican Mojo Pork Shoulder

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

Slow-roasted pork shoulder marinated in a vibrant, garlicky Puerto Rican mojo sauce, delivering tender, smoky meat with bright citrus notes. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 255 minutes pairs pork shoulder, garlic cloves, orange juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 240 min Serves 6 Caribbean cuisine 480 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Kitchen tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 8 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 cup fresh orange juice, 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tbsp chopped fresh oregano, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to create the mojo marinade.
  2. Step 2: Place 3 lbs bone-in pork shoulder in a large resealable plastic bag or container and pour the mojo marinade over it, ensuring the meat is well-coated. Refrigerate and marinate for at least 8 hours or overnight for best flavor.
  3. Step 3: Preheat oven to 300°F. Remove pork from marinade, reserving the marinade, and place pork shoulder fat side up in a roasting pan.
  4. Step 4: Roast uncovered for 3.5 to 4 hours, basting with reserved marinade every hour, until the internal temperature reaches 195°F and the meat is tender enough to shred easily.
  5. Step 5: Let rest for 15 minutes before slicing or shredding. Serve with rice or tostones for a classic Puerto Rican meal.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Smoky Puerto Rican Mojo Pork Shoulder take to make?

Total time is about 255 minutes (15 min prep + 240 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 Smoky Puerto Rican Mojo Pork Shoulder?

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 Smoky Puerto Rican Mojo Pork Shoulder?

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 Smoky Puerto Rican Mojo Pork Shoulder for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Smoky Puerto Rican Mojo Pork Shoulder?

Caribbean pork 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.

Related recipes