Description
A tender, flavorful pulled pork recipe made in a slow cooker with a bright, garlicky, and tangy Cuban mojo sauce. This set-it-and-forget-it dish is perfect for busy weeknights and feeds a crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 large navel oranges (about 2.5 cups fresh juice)
- 4 medium limes (about 1 cup fresh juice)
- 1 head garlic (10–12 cloves, minced)
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 5–6 pounds pork shoulder (butt)
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 large white onion (sliced, optional)
- 1 jalapeño (sliced, optional)
- 4 green onions (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper on all sides.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the fresh orange juice, lime juice, minced garlic, olive oil, dried oregano, cumin, black pepper, and salt until emulsified.
- Place the pork shoulder in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Pour the mojo sauce over the pork to coat it. Add sliced onions and jalapeños if using. Tuck bay leaves around the pork and pour in the chicken broth.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours until the pork is fork-tender and pulls apart easily.
- Remove the pork from the slow cooker and let it rest for 5 minutes. Shred the pork using two forks, discarding any large fat pieces or bones.
- Skim excess fat from the top of the liquid in the slow cooker. Pour some of the liquid back over the shredded pork to moisten it. Adjust seasoning with salt or lime if needed.
- Serve on warm buns, in tacos, or over rice. Top with sliced white onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of fresh lime.
Notes
Use fresh citrus juice instead of bottled for the best flavor. Don’t skip the garlic; it mellows out during cooking. Skim excess fat from the sauce before mixing it back with the pork. Let the pork rest before shredding to keep it juicy. The liquid in the slow cooker is flavorful and should be saved to moisten the pork.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Cuban
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1/8 of
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
Keywords: Cuban pulled pork, slow cooker recipes, mojo sauce, pork shoulder, easy dinner, meal prep, gluten-free, dairy-free