Cuban Mojo Pork Lechon Asado Recipe With Citrus Garlic Marinade

Cuban mojo pork lechon asado recipe brings authentic Latin flavor right to your dinner table with bold, savory notes that satisfy every craving.

Born from generations of tradition in Cuban kitchens, it has become a celebrated centerpiece at family gatherings and festive celebrations across the globe.

The marinade works its magic over time, infusing deep flavor that makes every bite memorable.

Juicy, tender, and packed with personality, the finished dish pairs beautifully with rice, beans, or plantains for a complete meal.

When you serve it at parties or weekend dinners, expect compliments and requests for seconds.

It's equally suited for casual weeknight meals or special occasions when you want something impressive yet approachable.

Everything comes together more easily than most people expect, making it accessible for home cooks of any skill level.

Jump into the full recipe below and see why it has earned such a devoted following in homes everywhere.

Why You’ll Love Cuban Mojo Pork With Citrus and Garlic

• Flavor Explosion: This Cuban Mojo Pork delivers a seriously bold taste that’ll transform your dinner from ordinary to extraordinary with its zesty citrus and garlic punch.
• Crowd-Pleasing Centerpiece: Your family and guests will absolutely devour this tender, juicy roast that feels like a special occasion meal without complicated cooking skills.
• Super Versatile Protein: Shred this pork for tacos, pile onto sandwiches, or serve alongside rice – it’s a total meal chameleon that works for multiple dinner scenarios.
• Minimal Prep Magic: The marinade comes together in minutes, and most of the cooking happens hands-off in the oven, making this a straightforward recipe anyone can master.

What Are the Essential Ingredients for Cuban Mojo Pork?

• 4-5 lbs Pork Shoulder: The star of your Cuban feast, this cut brings incredible flavor and tenderness to your mojo pork.

• 1 Cup Orange Juice, 1/2 Cup Lime Juice: These bright citrus juices will tenderize your meat and infuse it with classic Cuban marinade flavors.

• 8 Cloves Garlic: Fresh garlic that will create an intense, robust flavor base for your roast.
• 2 Tbsp Dried Oregano: Earthy herb that adds authentic Cuban seasoning profile.
• 2 Tsp Ground Cumin: Warm spice that brings depth and complexity to your marinade.

• 1/4 Cup Olive Oil: Helps bind your marinade and adds rich undertones.
• 2 Tsp Salt, 1 Tsp Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance every bite of your pork.
• 1 Large White Onion: Adds sweetness and helps create delicious pan juices.
• 2 Bay Leaves: Traditional aromatic that contributes subtle herbal notes during roasting.

Tool List for Cuban Mojo Pork

• Large Bowl: Where you’ll combine all your marinade ingredients and create that zesty flavor base for your pork.
• Large Resealable Plastic Bag: Perfect for marinating your pork shoulder, making sure every inch gets coated with those amazing citrus and garlic flavors.
• Roasting Pan (13×9 inch): Essential for slow-roasting your pork, giving it space to cook evenly and collect those delicious pan juices.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise tools to help you get the right balance of orange juice, lime juice, and spices for your marinade.
• Aluminum Foil: Crucial for keeping your pork moist during the long, slow roasting process.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for slicing onions and cutting the pork against the grain when serving.
• Meat Thermometer: Helps ensure your pork reaches the perfect internal temperature of 195°F for fork-tender results.
• Cutting Board: A solid surface for prepping ingredients and slicing your beautifully roasted pork.

Cuban Mojo Pork Cooking Instructions

How to Improve Cuban Mojo Pork

• Pour the citrus-packed marinade all over your pork, making sure every single inch gets coated for maximum flavor absorption.
• Let the pork sit in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, but 8 hours is even better for developing deep, tangy flavors.
• Take your pork out of the fridge an hour before roasting to help it cook more evenly and stay juicy.
• Roast your pork at a low temperature for hours, which breaks down tough connective tissues and creates melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.
• Uncover the roast during the last half hour to give your pork a beautiful, golden-brown exterior that adds incredible texture.

Cuban Mojo Pork with Citrus and Garlic Style Options

• Slow Cooker Switch: Transfer the marinated pork to a slow cooker instead of the oven, cooking on low for 8-10 hours until the meat falls apart easily.
• Instant Pot Express: Reduce cooking time to about 1 hour in an Instant Pot, using the meat setting and ensuring your shoulder reaches the same tender consistency.
• Chicken Transformation: Replace pork shoulder with bone-in chicken thighs, reducing marinade time to 2-3 hours and cooking time to approximately 45-60 minutes in the oven.
• Vegetarian Alternative: Swap pork for large portobello mushrooms or jackfruit, adjusting marinade and cooking time to prevent overcooking while maintaining similar flavor profiles.

Best Ways to Enjoy Mojo Pork

• Serving Size Success: Prepare about 1/3 to 1/2 pound per person for a satisfying meal that leaves everyone happy.
• Perfect Side Companions: Pair with black beans, white rice, and a crisp citrus slaw to complement the pork’s tangy marinade.
• Temperature Tip: Serve the meat warm, letting the juicy slices rest on a platter so guests can appreciate the tender texture.
• Leftover Magic: Transform extra pork into Cuban sandwiches or shred for tacos the next day, keeping the flavors exciting and fresh.

Cuban Mojo Pork Storage Guidelines

• Seal your leftover pork in an airtight container, and refrigeration becomes your flavor preservation friend for up to 4 days.
• Freezing works wonderfully – wrap the meat tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, storing flat to keep your Cuban pork perfect for future meals up to 3 months.
• When reheating, sprinkle a few tablespoons of reserved pan juices over the meat before warming in the oven at 325°F to keep the meat succulent and prevent drying.
• Store your marinade separately in a sealed glass jar in the refrigerator for no more than 2 days, never reusing liquid that has touched raw meat to ensure food safety.

Cuban Mojo Pork Lechon Asado Questions Uncovered

Cuban Mojo Pork Lechon Asado Recipe

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4.5 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 14 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Succulent Cuban Mojo Pork delivers a zesty flavor explosion straight from my family’s kitchen in Havana. Marinated in tangy citrus and garlic, this roasted pork melts in your mouth with authentic Caribbean charm.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 4–5 lbs pork shoulder

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 8 cloves garlic
• 1 large white onion
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Liquids and Oils:

• 1 cup orange juice
• ½ cup lime juice
• ¼ cup olive oil

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Instructions

1. Craft a zesty marinade by blending 1 cup orange juice, ½ cup lime juice, ¼ cup olive oil, 8 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp oregano, 2 tsp cumin, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper in a large mixing bowl.
2. Submerge the 4-5 lb pork shoulder completely in the marinade inside a large resealable plastic bag, ensuring every inch of meat gets coated.
3. Refrigerate the marinating meat for 4-8 hours, rotating the bag every couple hours to distribute flavors thoroughly.
4. Remove the pork from the refrigerator 1 hour before roasting to allow it to reach room temperature naturally.
5. Set your oven to precisely 325°F and transfer the pork from the marinade, keeping the liquid reserved.
6. Position the pork in a roasting pan and surround it with 1 sliced white onion and 2 bay leaves.
7. Generously pour the reserved marinade over the meat and seal the pan completely with aluminum foil.
8. Roast the covered pork for 4-5 hours, monitoring until the internal temperature hits exactly 195°F and the meat becomes tender enough to pull apart.
9. Uncover the pan during the final 30 minutes to develop a beautifully crisp, golden-brown exterior.
10. Allow the roasted pork to rest for 20-30 minutes before slicing against the grain for maximum tenderness.
11. Skim excess fat from the pan juices and serve as a complementary sauce alongside your succulent roasted pork.

Notes

• Select a well-marbled pork shoulder with good fat content for the most tender, flavorful results.
• Allow plenty of time for marinating, as the citrus and garlic will deeply penetrate and tenderize the meat.
• For a gluten-free version, confirm all marinade ingredients are certified gluten-free and use corn or rice flour tortillas when serving.
• If short on time, use a pressure cooker to reduce cooking time by about half while maintaining the same rich, tender texture.

• Prep Time: 9 hours
• Cook Time: 5 hours 30 minutes
• Category: Pork
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: Cuban

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 462 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 913 mg
• Fat: 33 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 5 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 39 g
• Cholesterol: 126 mg