Spicy Dominican Chicharrón with Garlic Mojo Sauce

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

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Crispy fried pork bites served with a garlicky, citrusy mojo sauce for a flavorful Dominican street food experience. This Caribbean-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, pairs pork belly, cut into 1-inch cubes, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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: 40 min Cook: 20 min Serves 6 Caribbean cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, toss 2 lbs pork belly cubes with 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes. Let marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 cups vegetable oil in a deep heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F. Fry pork belly cubes in batches for 8-10 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Drain on paper towels.
  3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 6 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup fresh orange juice, and 2 tbsp fresh lime juice to make mojo sauce.
  4. Step 4: Serve the crispy pork bites hot with mojo sauce drizzled over or on the side for dipping.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Dominican Chicharrón with Garlic Mojo Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (40 min prep + 20 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 Spicy Dominican Chicharrón with Garlic Mojo Sauce?

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 salt from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Dominican Chicharrón with Garlic Mojo Sauce?

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 Spicy Dominican Chicharrón with Garlic Mojo Sauce 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 Spicy Dominican Chicharrón with Garlic Mojo Sauce?

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.

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