Main Dishes

Cuban Roast Pork

Cuban Roast Pork is flavored with garlic, orange, cumin, lime, and oregano. A citrusy mojo sauce adds tons of flavor

  • Serves 8
  • Prep 20 minutes
  • Cook 3 hours
  • Total 16 hours

Pork

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Cuban Roast Pork

Marinate The Roast

To really build the flavors, the pork butt is first coated with salt, brown sugar, lime zest, orange zest, garlic, cumin, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes.

Slow Roast

The pork is then slow-roasted in a Dutch oven for 2 1/2 to 3 hours covered and then 45 minutes to 1 3/4 hours uncovered. You want to cook it until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145 F. Let it rest for a full 45 minutes before slicing. This will help keep the juices inside the pork.

Whole cooked pork butt in Dutch oven.

Make a Mojo Sauce

The mojo sauce is wonderfully flavored with olive oil, garlic, orange juice, pineapple juice, lime juice, mustard, cumin, and oregano. It is poured over the cooked pork for additional flavor and to make it extra juicy.

How To Serve

Cuban Roast Pork is traditionally served with white rice and black beans. Leftovers make great Cuban Sandwiches. You can either slice the pork or shred the pork.

Storage

Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days.

Recipe Tip

The cooking time will vary based on how large your pork roast is. Use an instant read thermometer so you can easily tell when the roast is done.

This Pork Carnitas recipe and thisPicadillo Recipe are other must try Cuban-style recipe. And don’t forget a mojito!

Cuban Pork Roast in Dutch oven.

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Recipe adapted from Cook’s Country

Recipe

Cuban Roast Pork

Cuban Roast Pork is flavored with garlic, orange, cumin, lime, and oregano. A citrusy mojo sauce adds tons of flavor. This juicy, tender pork is perfect for making Cuban Sandwiches.

  • Serves 8
  • Prep 20 minutes
  • Cook 3 hours
  • Total 16 hours

Ingredients

Pork

  • 1/3 cup kosher salt
  • 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
  • 3 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 (5-pound) boneless pork butt roast

Mojo Sauce

  • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 6 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1/3 cup orange juice
  • 1/3 cup pineapple juice
  • 1/3 cup lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 1 /4 teaspoons cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 3/4 teapsoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. 1

    In a small bowl, combine salt, brown sugar, lime zest, orange zest, garlic, cumin, oregano, and pepper flakes.

  2. 2

    Trim the fat on the top of the pork butt to 1/4-inch. Cut a 1-inch crosshatch pattern in the fat.

  3. 3

    Place pork on a double layer of plastic wrap and sprinkle all over with the salt mixture. Wrap tightly in the plastic wrap and refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours.

  4. 4

    Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Unwrap pork and place it fat side up in a large Dutch oven. Pour 2 cups of water around the pork, being careful not to wash the salt rub off.

  5. 5

    Place lid on the Dutch oven and place in oven for 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

  6. 6

    Uncover pork and cook uncovered for 45 minutes to 1 3/4 hours, or until pork reaches an internal temperature of 195 degrees.

  7. 7

    Transfer to a carving board, tent with foil and let rest 45 minutes.

  8. 8

    Make the mojo while the pork rests. In a small saucepan, heat the oil over low heat. Add the garlic and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes.

  9. 9

    Whisk pineapple juice, orange juice, lime juice, mustard, cumin, salt, pepper, oregano, and pepper flakes into the garlic oil.

  10. 10

    Slice pork and serve with mojo or use for Cuban Sandwiches.

Nutrition

  • Calories512 kcal
  • Carbohydrates14 g
  • Protein54 g
  • Fat26 g
  • Saturated Fat7 g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat3 g
  • Monounsaturated Fat14 g
  • Trans Fat0.1 g
  • Cholesterol170 mg
  • Sodium5074 mg
  • Potassium1062 mg
  • Fiber0.5 g
  • Sugar11 g
  • Vitamin A98 IU
  • Vitamin C11 mg
  • Calcium73 mg
  • Iron4 mg